Graduate Program

The joint DPI/DSE/DPCD Graduate Program is a two-year training and development program open to recent graduates of science, agriculture, natural resource management and related professions. During the program you'll undertake specific training and development activities alongside your normal project work. You will have the opportunity to work at two or more DPI locations around Victoria. The aim of this program is to provide you with broad exposure to policy, research and extension (where appropriate) in addition to gaining specialist skills and training, which will enable you to develop a supported career with us.

We have detected that the browser used to view this content is missing the supported 'Flash plugin'. Once you have installed the 'plugin' found on the Adobe website, please return to this web page by using the back button on your browser. http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer Read the transcript

The positions for the 2011 intake will be listed on this site in late June, early July 2010. The selection process for the 20 positions across DPI, DSE and DPCD for the 2010 intake has been completed and all graduates will have commenced with the departments by early February 2010.

Unlike many graduate programs, our positions change each year as determined by departmental strategic needs. Recruitment is conducted with each position's specific needs in mind.

2010 intake

Fantastic opportunity now open.

Project Officer - Biodiversity Services - DSE 812905 (Ballarat, Traralgon).
View the Project Officer - Biodiversity Services position description. Applications open 14 January and will close 22 January 2010. Position to commence March 2010. Apply now.

Benefits of our program

• a personal training and development budget
• a mix of field and research work
• dedicated supervisors and ongoing career support
• positions change each year based on departmental strategic needs
• an ongoing position within us at the conclusion of the program.

Opportunities What were some of the exceptional moments or opportunities you had during the Graduate Program? "Variety – exposed me to areas of the Department that I never thought I would enjoy such as fire and emergency services work. Exposed me to both head office and regional perspectives.  I was able to nearly complete my Masters Degree through part-time study using my budget. It provided the opportunity to form some very valuable networks across the Department. Lastly, I was able to undertake some very interesting and higher level project work which was challenging and meaningful. I loved doing this type of project-based work – getting a big chunk of work done for a division that might not otherwise have resources to do so – and the autonomy to progress the project in a way that worked for me most of the time”. Past Graduate interviewed 2009."

Background and roles

The Graduate Program is now in its 17th year. More than 169 graduates have participated in the program and the variety of projects they've worked on has significantly contributed to the sustainable development of primary industries in Victoria.
Graduate positions change each year depending on organisational needs. Projects and positions have included:

• Climate change research
• Weeds research and extension
• Plant biosecurity
• Farm systems modelling
• Emergency management
• Community education and capacity building
• Agricultural extension - meat, wool, lamb, dairy, horticulture, grains
• Precision agriculture
• Food chemistry
• Invertebrate fisheries research
• Lactation physiology
• Private forestry 
• Energy
• Fisheries policy

Supervisors

You will report directly to your location supervisor and work with the other members of your team on day-to-day matters. The coordinating supervisor will generally support your progress for the duration of the program. Both supervisors will work with you to develop detailed work plans that include relevant opportunities for training and development.

Budgets

You will be provided with an individual budget to manage and report on. This budget is provided to support relevant training and development opportunities. All our staff have the opportunity to take training during work hours and, if appropriate, post graduate study is also available.

Locations

As a graduate you may have three or more moves to different locations throughout the state, which is likely to include two regional and one metropolitan office. We choose locations that will provide the best opportunities for you to learn, but wherever you go you'll be learning from experts in your field.

Buddy

Your buddy is usually a graduate in the second year of their program working in a similar field to you. Buddies have the experience and knowledge to help you move through the program with ease, such as the established networks to facilitate communication and links throughout the department.

Support How useful was the buddy system to you? “I found my buddy a very valuable resource for advice and support during my stint in the grad program. My buddy provided great advice as she had been in similar situations. My buddy was also great in the early part of the grad program for all of those stupid questions you don’t feel you can ask your manager (eg. what to wear to work, what time to start, how to pay an invoice etc)”. Past Graduate interviewed 2009."

More information

For further information about our Graduate Program please call (03) 5624 2275 or (03) 92964724 or email Graduate.Program@dpi.vic.gov.au