Reef Education Officer
APS4
Townsville
Non-ongoing to 24 December 2026; Full-time
Applications close Sunday 16 August 2026; 11:59pm AEST
The Position
We are seeking an education and engagement professional to join our small team. The Reef Education Officer works to engage students, teachers, communities and organisations locally, nationally and internationally in reef education and engagement activities and initiatives, for the benefit of the Great Barrier Reef. Through targeted reef education and engagement programs, the Reef Authority aims to raise awareness and inspire people to care for the Reef.
Working within the Reef Education and Engagement team, the Reef Education Officer delivers the Reef Authority’s education and engagement programs, including the development, implementation and facilitation of education and engagement products and services, and also supports the provision of advice to management on educational and engagement issues and services.
The Reef Education Officer develops and supports the design, production and delivery of the Reef Authority’s education and engagement programs and initiatives. This includes printed educational and engagement materials and resources, broadcast and online media, video productions, interactive education and engagement experiences and the management of supporting facilities including digitally enabled studio/theatre spaces, back-end digital infrastructure and technologies, websites and online services to deliver educational and engaging digital and virtual learning experiences. The position also supports the facilitation and delivery of face-to-face educational and engaging initiatives, such as educational and interpretive presentations.
Key success in the role will be the development and delivery of innovations and improvement of flagship educational and engagement initiatives such as Reef Guardian Schools, education and engagement at the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and reef education and engagement resources. The Reef Education Officer supports the Reef Authority in delivering the reef education and engagement strategies, through the development and delivery of education and engagement activities, and the Reef Authority’s corporate priority programs.
What you'll do
- Support the development and delivery of reef education and engagement programs to targeted audiences, including face to face and virtual delivery.
- Assist in the development and delivery of innovative reef educational and engagement products and resources to be used across multi-channel platforms such as presentations, thematic exhibitions, print, web-based, smart phone applications, videoconferencing and other digital channels.
- Support the management and delivery of team initiatives to identify and implement continuous improvement to the Reef Authority’s education and engagement programs and initiatives; and strengthen the Reef Authority’s education and engagement programs delivery and resources including online reef education and engagement platforms and presence.
- Provide expertise, technical knowledge and advice in specialist area across specific reef education and engagement programs or activities.
- Report to management and stakeholders on matters relating to education and engagement and related innovative educational and engagement programs and activities.
- Build and sustain internal and external relationships with stakeholders; resolve enquiries and provide information and accurate advice as a representative of the agency to achieve educational and engagement program outcomes and support the achievement of Agency goals.
What you'll bring
- You are a creative practitioner that can utilise a variety of platforms, including leading edge technologies, to develop and deliver educational and engagement programs, resources, immersive educational and engagement experiences, and interactive exhibitions, using storytelling in an engaging and informative manner.
- You will have experience in delivery of education and engagement programs and educational and engagement resource development – especially around contemporary issues facing the Reef.
- You are a natural problem solver, a doer and are known for seeing things through to completion.
- You will be experienced in building and maintaining relationships that promote and improve educational and engagement experiences and opportunities.
- You thrive under pressure, have an eye for detail and don’t get flustered when faced with competing priorities.
- You can prioritise and align operational activities to organisational objectives in order to complete tasks on time and to a high standard.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Julie Spencer, Reef Education Manager, Ph. 0439 740 281
Why join the Reef Authority?
At the Reef Authority, you'll build a meaningful career while helping protect one of the world's most iconic natural assets. We offer a supportive, flexible and purpose-driven workplace where your work has real impact.
You'll enjoy competitive APS employment conditions, including up to 15.4% employer superannuation, flexible working arrangements, wellbeing initiatives, professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.
Essential Requirements
- Demonstrated relevant experience in either education, science communication, graphic design and/or transmedia.
- Able to participate in occasional work outside standard business hours, this may include evening and weekend work.
How to apply
The Reef Authority is committed to authenticity and integrity in all recruitment activities. We want to understand who you are, your experiences, and what you bring to the role.
While you may use AI tools to assist with your application, your final submission must reflect your own voice, skills, and experiences. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.
Misrepresentation or unethical use of AI can compromise fairness and integrity and may result in removal from the process or other consequences. AI should be used to support (not replace) your authentic contribution.
Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.
You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.
Please prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:
- how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.
- any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
- how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.
When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.
Please complete your application online and provide:
- your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).
- proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
- a current curriculum vitae (resume)
Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.
PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.
Notes
- The current position is non-ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.
- We do not accept unsolicited résumés from recruitment agencies.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
Eligibility
Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:
- Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
- Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
- Evidence of citizenship status.
- Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
- Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
- The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.
- The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.
