Biosafety Officer | Wellington - Wallaceville

Job Description

Biosafety Officer 

Role type: Permanent, Full-time  

Location: Wallaceville – Upper Hutt 

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D: $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience  

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga 

Do you want to work in an organisation that is “Growing and protecting New Zealand” and focussed on the success of the primary industries for the benefit of all New Zealanders?  

We currently have a rare and exciting opportunity for a full-time, permanent Biosafety Officer to join the Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team at MPI's state of the art National Biocontainment Laboratory.  This laboratory operates at the highest level of biocontainment in New Zealand and has been built to world leading standards for biosafety. 

In this role you will:  

• Lead and manage the laboratory's biological risk management system, ensuring safe, secure, and compliant scientific operations.
• Coach staff and foster a strong biosafety culture. 
• Review laboratory practices, uphold containment standards. 
• Exercise authority to stop work that may compromise biosafety or physical containment. 
• Provide expert biosafety advice, operate and train others on key containment equipment. 
• Lead improvements in biosafety methods and maintain capability to back up the Health and Safety Officer. 

About You – Mōu 

This is a senior role within the laboratory and the incumbent will need to have enough gravitas to utilise the authority that comes with the role.   

You will have:  

• Substantial experience and strong knowledge in biological risk management.
• Worked in laboratories handling infectious biological organisms and associated risks.
• Highly effective communication skills and the ability to work well in a team environment.
• Adaptability and able to remain calm and composed under pressure. 

The role offers a great work/life balance, autonomy, variety and unique opportunities to develop your skills within a large and dynamic organisation. 

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū 

The National Biocontainment Laboratory located in Upper Hutt is New Zealand's reference centre for exotic, new and emerging terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases and contains both PC2 and PC3+ laboratory facilities. The Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for a range of operational systems that ensure a safe operating environment and compliance to the required regulations and standards. 

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua 

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.  

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here. 

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua   

• Additional MPI leave days 
• Annual Wellness payment 
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames 

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru 

Low level Security Clearance 

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR 

• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level. 

• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool. 

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application. 

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro  

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here. 

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?  
 
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.  

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.  

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce. 

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “Apply” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options. 

Applications close at midnight on 3 March 2026. 

If you have any questions about the role, please email james.brodey@mpi.govt.nz   

Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei 

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