Career spotlight | Veronica Hayes

This month we are profiling Veronica Hayes, surveillance coordinator at the Plant Biosecurity and Diagnostic Branch of Biosecurity Tasmania.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

My role involves managing and coordinating programs and projects that require collaboration with others. I am mainly office-based, focusing on planning, reporting, developing work procedures, auditing, and cleaning data related to plant pest surveillance, while ensuring we meet deadlines and standards. From time to time, I am lucky enough to go into the field to conduct surveillance, workshops, and training.

I also provide input to national programs and projects, representing the state on national programs. This includes emergency response and a recent project focused on developing a Tasmanian data capture system.

How long have you worked in this area?

I have worked in my current role since late 2015. Prior to this, I have worked in various biosecurity roles since 2006.

How did you find yourself in this career?

I have always loved science, nature, and creativity, but didn’t fully appreciate how much, nor did I consider a career in these fields. I decided to study horticulture and then fell into a job at a nursery. When I felt it was time to grow, I discovered the fascinating world of biosecurity. How naïve I was back then, not realising how diverse, interesting, and rewarding it would be - way beyond sniffer dogs at the airport and a few nursery stock inspections.

What roles have you held previously?

Within the Biosecurity Tasmania Operations Branch, I have worked as a senior biosecurity officer and program coordinator for exports, imported nursery stock, imports, and domestic quarantine. I have also acted as a program manager and operational area manager. My most relevant experiences in plant surveillance include coordinating surveillance for plant pests and diseases of concern to Australia, Tasmania, and other countries. Before this, I worked in plant nurseries and even served as a nursery supervisor/team leader and plant stock purchaser for a hardware store. Early on, I dabbled in unrelated roles before pursuing my current career path.

What is your most memorable career achievement?

There are so many memorable moments, it’s difficult to choose just one. Several aspects have contributed to the growth and enjoyment of my work and my holistic understanding of the biosecurity system. A few highlights include:

• Being on the Subcommittee for National Plant Health Surveillance, as the Tasmanian Representative and Chair. It has been incredible to contribute to how we conduct plant pest surveillance at a national level. From developing and reviewing National Surveillance Protocols to establishing data specifications, and identifying the best innovative solutions, this role has allowed me to connect with my counterparts around the country and helped us conduct more aligned, effective, and efficient surveillance programs.
• Completing the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Emergency Response Planning Manager Accreditation course, which has greatly supported my roles in plant biosecurity emergency response control centres.
• Becoming a Department of Agriculture ship cargo holds inspector, auditor for export and import facilities, and for grower accreditations/registrations, including horticultural produce.
• Undertaking pre-clearance produce inspections in Washington State, USA, and pre-clearance machinery inspections in Hawaii, USA. These roles, along with my export experience, provided invaluable insight into the importance of international biosecurity, policy, and standards.
• Completing a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management. I won a scholarship for this program, which I found both challenging and rewarding. It provided a deeper understanding of people, management, and the machinery of government, and how biosecurity fits into this, both internationally and domestically.

What advice would you give to others starting/changing their career?

Just do it! If you are enthusiastic, doors will open. Appreciate the people around you. Be open to new ideas, don’t be afraid to be a beginner, and always be ready to learn from everywhere and everyone. It’s a journey, not a destination.