• Help protect and conserve one of the world’s most iconic landscapes, contributing to the management of biodiversity and World Heritage values in Kakadu National Park.
• Participate in diverse field-based research and monitoring programs, including remote area surveys by helicopter and boat, to assess the health of Country.
• Work closely with Traditional Owners, scientists and stakeholders to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes and support healthy Country for future generations.

Affirmative measure employment - Affirmative measure - Indigenous employment
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
If you are found suitable and offered a position, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility for affirmative measure employment when the formal written offer is made.
For more information about affirmative measure employment, see Affirmative measure for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

Who we are

Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

Kakadu National Park is a world-heritage listed site for its natural and cultural values, and one of three national parks, leased by their Aboriginal owners to the Director of National Parks, and jointly managed by Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. Parks Australia assists with ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage. In addition to ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage, this branch also manages strategic priorities for Parks Australia, managing a range of strategic planning and major capital projects across the three jointly managed parks.

The Country Section is responsible for the protection of the Kakadu National Park’s biodiversity assets and natural values. The section does this by providing strategic advice and support to the operational teams on fire, feral and weed management, managing Country through a significant fire program; implementing and assisting significant species projects; responding to the threat of climate change; data and knowledge management; and planning. The section is an important part of creating an inclusive cross-cultural working environment.

The job

Under the direction of the Conservation Science Coordinator and in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), contribute to best practice management of the biodiversity and values of the World Heritage and Ramsar listed Kakadu National Park by:

• Planning and delivering priority research, survey and monitoring activities to assess the health of Country, including status and trends in species, ecological communities and threatening processes.
• Analysing monitoring and survey data and preparing clear, accurate reports, briefings and other communication products for a range of audiences.
• Contributing specialist technical input to support the Country Section Manager to provide advice to Parks Australia and the broader Department.
• Coordinating and participating in biodiversity survey field trips, often in remote areas (must be willing to fly in a helicopter and travel by boat), and contributing to survey design and delivery, feral animal management, weed management and cultural heritage maintenance activities.
• Working with Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to support projects designed to achieve healthy Country, including contributing to engagement and knowledge exchange to foster strong working relationships on and off Park.
• Supporting the coordination of work priorities by maintaining records, tracking actions and milestones, assisting with procurement and budget tracking (as required), and modelling safe work practices in the field and office.

What you'll gain from the experience

• Gain experience in data analysis, scientific reporting, stakeholder engagement, and collaborating with Traditional Owners to support effective and culturally informed conservation outcomes.
• Develop practical skills in biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, and field research while working in a World Heritage-listed environment.

What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:

Knowledge and experience
We are looking for a passionate individual with experience in biodiversity research, surveys and monitoring, and a good understanding of threatening processes and contemporary land management and conservation actions.
The successful candidate will:

• Be experienced in joint-management, have a deep respect for the traditional knowledge held by the custodians of Kakadu and develop strategies in collaboration with First Nations people of the Kakadu region.
• Have an awareness of issues affecting Indigenous people in remote locations and a capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of a World Heritage National Park.
• Have first-hand experience designing threatened and significant species projects such that the data collection and analysis methods are appropriate, scientifically robust, and able to withstand peer review.
• Have the ability to organise and lead biodiversity survey field trips, often in remote areas (must be willing to fly in a helicopter, travel by boat). These will include leading vertebrate, invertebrate, and vegetation surveys, and assisting in feral animal management, weed management, and cultural heritage maintenance.
• Have the ability to work with Traditional Owners to determine projects designed to achieve healthy Country, and engaging with other stakeholders, including researchers, KNP and DCCEEW staff, NT government staff, and others.
• Demonstrate strong teamwork skills, build positive working relationships, and contribute to continuous improvement and change in a cross-cultural workplace.
• Have demonstrated ability to plan and organise work, manage competing priorities, and coordinate field and office-based activities to achieve outcomes within timeframes.
• Be competent in the use of digital data capture devices and mapping using ArcGIS software or similar.
• Have sound knowledge of Workplace Diversity, Workplace Participation, Work, Health and Safety and the ability to apply and promote them in the workplace.
• Have first-hand knowledge and experience in Northern Australian savanna.

Skills and capabilities
You should be able to demonstrate:

• An awareness of issues affecting Aboriginal people in remote locations and the ability to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of KNP, as well as developing and supporting relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and consideration of values and culture.
• Demonstrable experience in the strategic planning, delivery, and evaluation of environmental management programmes, particularly in a protected area context, with an emphasis on:
  • Threatened species monitoring using a range of techniques.
  • Strategic planning, reporting, and adaptive management.
  • Experimental design and data collection and analysis with a view to peer-reviewed publication.
• High level oral and written communication skills, including the ability to:
  • Consult and negotiate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal people.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders including scientists, government agencies, Aboriginal associations, pastoralists, tourism operators, and members of the public.
  • Develop, prepare, and deliver a range of communication products to a variety of audiences, including publication of research results in scientific journals.

Additional requirements

• Hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification.
• Hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.
• Meet physical fitness minimum standards to undertake work within the role including firefighting as needed.
• Note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work.
• Note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.
• Note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses.
• Note that you will be required to travel in remote/isolated locations in northern Australia or its near northern neighbours, using a variety of transport including vessels, light/commercial aircraft, helicopters and manual four wheel drive vehicles.
• Note that you will be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a working with children and vulnerable people check.
• Wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy.
• Wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.

Eligibility

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment
You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.

The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.

For more information, see:

• Artificial Intelligence Transparency Statement
• AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission