Horticulturist jobs in Victoria

The Engagement Officer - Horticulture Standards supports engagement and service delivery activities related to preparedness, implementation and regulation of the National Food Safety Horticulture Standards for Leafy Vegetables, Melons and Berries (the Standards) which commenced in February 2025.Agriculture Victoria will regulate the Standards which contain specific requirements including notifying authorities, product traceability, managing safety of inputs, and worker and premises hygiene. Working closely with Biosecurity Victoria Services Division (Plant Chemical and Invasives Branch)., industry and grower groups, including small scale producers, you will have a key focus in the coordination and delivery of timely tailored services and resources to allow food production businesses to prepare for and implement the Standards. The position will also deliver timely services and resources to the Victorian Horticulture sector in the peri-urban region and statewide, specifically horticulture in the South West region including Werribee, Geelong and Ballarat.
As a member of a supportive and experienced Agriculture Services team, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, experience with stakeholder analysis and engagement combined with highly developed organisational skills. Technical expertise in horticulture and/or on-farm food safety is desirable. This role will require considerable time travelling, conducting engagement activities and meeting with industry, grower groups and small-scale producers.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

This is a fixed term position available until 30 June 2027. The work location for this position is flexible within Greater Melbourne or Ballarat with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers.

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Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 2 August 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.

20 July 2026