[Hiring] Executive Level 1 - Senior Examiner of Plant Breeder's Rights @IP Australia

Role Description

The Senior Examiner role provides an opportunity to operate as a trusted technical leader within the PBR examination function. The role exercises a high degree of professional judgement and autonomy, resolving the majority of complex or sensitive matters within delegation and providing authoritative guidance to examiners and managers.

The role includes direct line management of a small number of examiners, with responsibility for:

• Day-to-day supervision
• Workflow management
• Performance support
• Staff development

A key responsibility of the role is the training, coaching and development of inexperienced and trainee staff, including examiners undertaking structured training programs. Senior Examiners play a central role in building capability within the section by providing hands-on technical training, reviewing work, guiding decision making and supporting staff to apply legislation and practice confidently to live cases.

The successful candidate in this role as Senior Examiner will:

• Exercise independent decision making across the examination lifecycle, including complex matters
• Resolve most technical and procedural issues independently
• Train, supervise and coach trainee and inexperienced examiners, including through structured on-the-job training, review of work, and practical feedback
• Support trainees to progress toward acceptance and grant delegation by helping them build technical competence, sound judgement and confidence in decision making
• Supervise acceptance and grant delegate staff, including through direct supervision, feedback, and performance support
• Actively manage risk within the examination function by identifying issues early and supporting pragmatic, defensible outcomes
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of examination practice, guidance and training approaches
• Work closely with Assistant Directors, the Chief of PBR, and colleagues across IP Australia on initiatives affecting systems, quality and capability

The role suits experienced practitioners who are comfortable exercising judgement, teaching others, and taking shared responsibility for building a capable and resilient examination workforce.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Plant Breeder’s Rights legislative framework and examination practice
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach and support inexperienced or trainee staff, including explaining concepts clearly, reviewing work and providing constructive feedback
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support staff, including supporting performance, development and capability growth in a professional and respectful manner
• Confidence to exercise independent judgement within delegation and make sound, defensible decisions
• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate operational, legal and reputational risk, including exercising judgement in situations of uncertainty and change
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical issues in plain language to learners at different stages of development
• Ability to influence and guide others through expertise, credibility and professional judgement rather than formal authority
• High level of integrity, accountability and discretion in handling sensitive matters

Applications Close

Applications close at 11:59pm on 21/05/2026.