Chris McGrath

Catchment Coordinator, Pest Management - Department of Primary Industries

When did you graduate?

2005

Course you completed:

Bachelor of Environmental Science majoring in environmental management

Organisation that you are currently working for:

Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

How long have you been working for this organisation?

5 years

Position title and short job description:

Catchment Coordinator – Pest Management (Wimmera). Coordination of Pest Plant and Animal projects across the Wimmera Catchment. This involves working with a number of key stakeholder groups to plan and develop projects. I work with: l

• landcare groups,
• community groups,
• farmers,
• schools,
• catchment management authorities (CMA’s),
• DSE and
• Parks Victoria 

to develop projects and implement pest plant and animal control on a number species in the area. The role involves the management of staff. I am currently managing a team of seven Pest Management Officers located in offices throughout the Wimmera.

Working highlight so far:

DPI provides a number of emergency services to the state of Victoria. These include fire fighting, flood relief, equine influenza, locusts, drought relief and rural recovery (post bushfires). I have been involved in a number of emergency responses during my time with DPI. It’s great to be involved in emergency response, such as: 

• Horse flu quarantine in Victoria – This involved controlling horse movements into Victoria by providing roadblocks at bridges over the Murray River in Northern Victoria.
• Rural recovery (post bushfire) – This involved the provision of animal health services, stock feed and water, fencing, farmer welfare checks etc. 
• Drought relief – I’ve been involved with a number of programs focused on assisting land owners and communities affected by drought. This involved the provision of grants which allow farmers to complete a range of pest plant and animal control.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

There is always something different going on, bringing a number of new challenges to your everyday work.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

Manager Development: coming into this role and supervising staff I required a number of skills that I didn't have. DPI has a range of courses available to improve and develop skills to manage staff. These are skills I will continue to use throughout my career.

What do you intend to do in the future?

I enjoy working in the Pest Management (plants and animals), and I would like to continue in this field and increase my experience and knowledge in feral animal management. Going interstate is always a possibility which would also provide an opportunity to work on some different pest plants and animals.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

Be prepared to move anywhere in order to get your first job. It may only be for 6 months or a year but the experience you gain in your first job definitely helps you “get your foot in the door” for other jobs that you apply for.