- Contribute to the delivery of a data and analytics service supporting Parks Australia’s conservation and operational outcomes.
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Provide practical support for data management processes, data quality, data entry, system use and the day-to-day coordination of data-related activities.
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Work collaboratively across parks, science, corporate and ICT teams to support consistent, reliable and well-managed data across Parks Australia.
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.
The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels.
Our work includes:
- Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia.
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Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving.
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Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans.
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Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants.
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Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes.
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Facilitating research and science capacity building and education.
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Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation.
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Climate adaption and policy for Parks Australia.
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Evaluation and reporting to understand management effectiveness and performance of our parks, gardens and agency.
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Data and information systems services for Parks Australia.
The Parks Australia Data and Information Centre is a new, organisation-wide service. The Centre leads and is accountable for Parks Australia’s data governance and management functions and the development of modern data systems and platforms, enabling streamlined data storage, access and integration across science, operations and corporate functions. It provides information services, spatial analysis, analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities, and delivers data and outputs for Parks Australia’s management effectiveness system. As a central and trusted service, it will bring together data governance, information management, analytics and emerging technologies—providing clear guidance, shared tools and expert support to help teams find, access and use data in their day-to-day work and make better-informed decisions. As a major producer and user of environmental data, Parks Australia is positioning the Centre within the broader environmental data landscape, connecting to national data networks to ensuring our data is interoperable, accessible and contributes to a wider ecosystem of environmental knowledge. The Centre team works collaboratively across parks, science, policy, corporate and ICT functions to deliver a coordinated approach and alignment to broader Departmental and Australian Government requirements.
The job
The APS 5 Data Support Officer contributes to the delivery of a cross-agency data and analytics service, providing practical support to staff and assisting with the day-to-day coordination of data-related activities. The role focuses on supporting data management processes, data quality, data entry and system use, while also providing coordination and administrative support across the team. Working under limited direction, the role supports APS 6 staff and technical specialists, and contributes to consistent, reliable and well-managed data across Parks Australia. The role suits someone who is organised, detail-focused and able to work collaboratively across a range of teams and systems.
This position is responsible for delivering activities, including but not limited to:
- Support data management activities, including data entry, validation, updates and maintenance across systems and platforms.
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Assist with maintaining data quality through checks, data cleansing and following established standards and procedures.
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Support the documentation of datasets, including updating records, metadata and registers.
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Provide support to database, reporting and system administrators, including data inputs, updates and coordination tasks.
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Assist in maintaining data within systems such as SharePoint, Excel, Power BI and other corporate platforms.
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Support testing, updates and routine system tasks as required.
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Assist staff across Parks Australia to access and use data, systems and tools.
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Respond to requests and enquiries, escalating more complex issues where required.
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Help maintain consistent use of templates, standards and processes.
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Manage shared mailboxes and request channels, including triaging enquiries, tracking requests and coordinating responses.
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Maintain trackers, logs and registers to support visibility of work and priorities.
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Assist with meeting coordination, including agendas, papers and action tracking.
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Build and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders across parks, science and corporate teams.
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Provide clear and practical guidance to support users with varying levels of data experience.
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Assist with preparing reports, summaries and basic analysis to support team outputs.
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Provide flexible support across the Centre to respond to changing priorities.
What you'll gain from the experience
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a new, cross-agency data and analytics service supporting Parks Australia, while gaining practical experience working with data across a wide range of areas including parks, science, corporate and ICT teams. The successful candidate will develop hands-on skills in data management, systems, reporting and coordination using modern tools and platforms, while also building an understanding of Australian Government data and information management practices. The role provides valuable exposure to how data supports operational delivery and decision-making, and offers the chance to build strong working relationships within a collaborative and supportive team environment. This is an exciting opportunity to develop capability while contributing to meaningful work that supports conservation outcomes and organisational improvement.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
- Ability to organise and manage work, including handling competing priorities and maintaining attention to detail.
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Experience supporting data or information management activities, including data entry, quality checking or system use.
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Ability to follow established processes, standards and guidance to deliver consistent outcomes.
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Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and provide responsive support.
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Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
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Experience using contemporary data platforms, software and data management tools to support data processing, integration and quality control.
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Experience using Microsoft tools such as Excel, SharePoint, Power BI and Outlook to support data management, reporting or coordination.
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Ability to provide administrative and coordination support, including managing shared mailboxes and tracking work.
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Ability to exercise sound judgement and escalate issues where appropriate.
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Demonstrated commitment to the APS Values and Code of Conduct.
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Awareness of, or ability to develop understanding of, Indigenous data management considerations, including the importance of culturally appropriate handling of First Nations data.
Desirable qualifications
- Experience working with environmental, scientific or operational data is desirable. Tertiary qualifications in information management or data management will be considered favourably.
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
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AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission
