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Leading Marine Tactical Officer

Job Req ID

ABF - 140162

 

Location

ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; VIC; WA 

 

Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time 

 

Classification

APS Level 4 - $76,863.00 and $82,906.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

 

Contact Officer

Astrid Hughes on astrid.hughes@abf.gov.au  

 

Office Arrangements

Onsite
 

Applications close on 30/11/2025 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

 

About our opportunity

 

This process is being used to fill 58 immediate positions. 

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; VIC; WA.

 

Benefits

 

Amongst other allowances, on successful completion of pre-deployment requirements, marine sea-going officers currently attract a commuted sea-going allowance (CMA) 63% of base salary. See section 12 - Department of Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024-27.

 

About our team

 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is an operationally independent body under the Home Affairs Portfolio. The ABF operates in a rapidly evolving global environment. We must perform to the highest standards while remaining agile to anticipate and respond to emerging threats and capitalise on opportunities to partner with domestic and international border, customs, immigration, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. To deliver our mission in the face of advancing technology and new threats, it is not enough to be reactive; we must be professional, disciplined and collaborative.

 

Marine Deployments and Support Branch (MDSB) deploys sea-going marine Border Force Officers to Australian Border Force Cutters (ABFC) and Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Protector where they undertake a range of border enforcement activities throughout the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes offshore maritime patrols and response, surveillance and deterrence activities that support civil maritime security operations and respond to identified Maritime Security Threats (MSTs) including:

 

  • Illegal Maritime Arrivals (IMAs)
  • Maritime Terrorism
  • Piracy, Robbery and Violence at Sea
  • Prohibited Imports and Exports
  • Exploitation of Natural Resources
  • Illegal activity in Protected Areas
  • Marine Pollution
  • Compromise to Bio-security.

 

ABFC crew perform varied duties, which include boarding operations, bridge and engine room watch keeping, deck and engine room tasks and maintenance and vessel cleaning tasks. Officers maintain a capability to allow for re deployment within the fleet or general duties within ABF.

 

Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force

 

Our ideal candidate

 

MDSB is seeking applications from professionals who can respond positively to a challenging and high-pressure environment. The work is high profile, with added sensitivity due to the armed nature of the workforce, demanding a high level of training and qualifications as well as liaison with other agencies and ABF Commands.

 

The work you will undertake entails spending substantial time away from home for extended periods usually for up to 22 days (Bay Class), 28 days (Cape and Thaiyak) and 29 days (Ocean Class) on a Fly In Fly Out roster. A tactical extension may increase deployment days restricting a return to port or home.

 

The Leading Marine Tactical Officer (LMTO) must also manage and be responsive to a range of requirements including:

 

  • Be able to perform duties in the maritime environment including lengthy deployments on unstable platforms in uncertain and variable weather and sea conditions
  • Compatible with sharing facilities, when living within the close constraints of a vessel for an extended period of time
  • Demonstrate flexibility and initiative in response to allocated work, including assisting in the completion of work outside of assigned responsibilities.

 

Deployment to vessels reflects the operational priorities of the ABF and rostering as determined by the relevant policies and procedures. Officers are expected to be flexible and agile in responding to rostering and deployment by the ABF.

 

Depending on operational requirements and the circumstances of candidates, the Marine Unit permits domiciling in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Thursday Island (Thursday Island - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Officers Only).

 

Knowledge

 

Knowledge of and the ability to apply relevant legislation, including:
o            Maritime Powers Act 2013
o            Privacy Act 1988
o            Customs Act 1901
o            Australian Border Force Act 2015
o            Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, in particular International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
o            Quarantine Act 1908
o            Navigation Act 2012
o            Migration Act 1958
o            AMSA Marine Orders and Marine Notices
o            International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 
o            Relevant Departmental policies, standard operating procedures and instructions.
o            Compliance with Vessel Safety Management Systems (SMS).

 

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

  • Manage and maintain overall responsibility of the ship's boats on-board (or support the APS5 Senior Border Force Officer (SBFO) in these functions depending on vessel platform)
  • Perform the role of Armoury Registrar (or support the APS5 SBFO in these functions depending on vessel platform)
  • Perform second in charge (2IC) functions to assist APS5 SBFO on-board
  • Maintain direct oversight, where required, of MTOs by providing mentoring and facilitating professional development through training
  • Support the APS5 SBFO, if required, in delivering pre-boarding briefings
  • Contribute to and participate in conducting boarding operations including searching of vessels, seizing prohibited goods, handling evidence, apprehending and questioning suspects, obtaining statements and coordinating documents for prosecution briefs
  • Contribute to and participate in the processing and on-board management of persons in custody embarked on ABFCs
  • Contribute to vessel general maintenance and administration as well as operational tasks by liaising with the APS5 SBFO on-board including logistics requests, preventative deck maintenance, inspection and maintenance of lifesaving and firefighting equipment and operability of the two ship's boats, where required
  • Assist in the launch and recovery of ship's boats and act as coxswain of the ship's boat and train others in the duties on board the boat and as coxswain, when required
  • Provide support to develop, and present mission briefings and plans to ensure the safe, efficient and effective execution of operations in accordance with all relevant legislation
  • Lead or conduct ad-hoc duties that assist with the administrative functioning of the vessel
  • Conduct watch keeping and lookout duties on bridge of vessels when required
  • Be the subject matter expert of MTO equipment and roles
  • Contribute to maintaining operational capability through management of vessel logistics
  • Interrogate systems and review intelligence information to inform risk assessments and operational decision making
  • Participate and lead elements of teams, where required (including joint operational activities with partner agencies) in accordance with operational command principles
  • Board vessels in accordance with legislated powers and established procedures, including the Maritime Powers Act 2013
  • Use professional judgement to identify cases of non-compliance in maritime environments and contribute to appropriate responses
  • Identify and refer prohibited goods and cases of non-compliance to relevant authorities
  • All officers are responsible for creating complete and accurate records in accordance with the Recordkeeping Practice Statement and Instruction and Guidelines.

 

Additional information

 

Mandatory Qualifications (Must hold):

 

  • Hold and Maintain a Certificate of Competency (CoC) Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal (NC) as issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in accordance with Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency - national law) 2013. Must be able to provide evidence.

 

Must be able to obtain and maintain the following:

 

  • The appointment of Armoury Registrar, including all relevant qualifications; Authorised Arms Issuing Officer (AAIO) and Custodial Firearm Safe Handling (CFSH)
  • Successfully complete Marine Induction Training and/or Promotion Training
  • Undertake and pass Use of Force (UoF) psychometric testing
  • Undertake and successfully complete the Operational Readiness Assessment which includes the Functional Fitness Assessment and the ABF Enforcement Medical Assessment
  • Obtain and retain Certificate of Medical Fitness for Sea in accordance with Marine Orders Part 9 (Health Medical Fitness) and having due regard to the guidelines for Medical Inspectors of Seamen as set out by AMSA
  • Successfully complete initial swim and tread water assessment
  • Obtain and maintain Certificate of Safety Training (CoST) (STWC Reg. VI/1) issued by AMSA which complies with The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended, (STCW)
  • Successfully complete and maintain an Advanced First Aid Certificate (HLTAID014) and Advanced Resuscitation (HLTAID015)
  • Ability to obtain and maintain UoF permit
  • Ability to obtain an Official Passport
  • Swear an oath or make an affirmation
  • Actively participate in career management (postings and deployments)
  • Be uniformed and able to wear required personal protective and personal defensive equipment (PPE & PDE)
  • Prepared to deploy on board a vessel for up to 36 days
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) and Australian Government Vetting Agency (AGSVA) Security Clearance of Baseline
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Working with Children Card (WWCC) for the relevant jurisdiction
  • COVID vaccinations. It is a mandatory condition of your employment that, you have been fully vaccinated, and attain full vaccination (including one COVID-19 booster dose to maintain an 'up-to-date' status)

 

Highly Desirable

 

  • Experience in managing specialist teams conducting maritime operations.

 

How to apply

 

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 30/11/2025 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEDT  – Late applications will not be accepted.

 

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role. It is recommended that your response document should be structured using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) Method. As part of your applicant response you must address the three core capabilities:

 

  • Achieves results
  • Displays personal drive and integrity
  • Demonstrates Professional / Technical Proficiency.

 

Further information regarding the STAR Method can be found at: Applying for an APS job: cracking the code | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)

 

Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 140162 in the document footer.

 

​​​​​​​Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.

 

Eligibility

 

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

 

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance, and:
 

  • ABF Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).
  • Home Affairs Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Onboarding Check.
     

In certain circumstances, an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) may be required in addition to, or in lieu of, an Onboarding Check, which will be determined by the delegate as necessary.  

 

Diversity and inclusion

 

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

 

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

 

Technical assistance

 

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

 

 

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

 

Notes

 

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position. The Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Value Proposition (EVP) highlights the top reasons our employees enjoy working in the APS.

 

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

 

Information about employment and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers

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