- Lead a high-impact conservation program by driving the eradication of gamba grass across Kakadu National Park, helping protect one of Australia’s most iconic natural and cultural landscapes.
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Manage large project and stakeholders through field operations, contract management, data-driven planning, and collaboration with Traditional Owners, rangers, contractors, scientists, and the wider Kakadu community.
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Make a tangible difference on Country by supporting joint management with Aboriginal Traditional Owners, leading a skilled team, and contributing to long-term environmental protection and biodiversity outcomes.
Affirmative measure employment - 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 operations section on fire, feral and weed management, managing Country through a significant fire programme; 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 limited supervision from the Manager of the Country Section and in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) implement targeted treatment and monitoring actions for gamba grass across Kakadu National Park following the KNP Gamba Grass Eradication Plan 2022-2026 (The Plan).
The duties will include:
- Coordinating the implementation, monitoring and reporting of a comprehensive weed eradication plan, including using the MERIT system to achieve the objectives set out in The Plan.
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Leading the preparation and implementation of overarching operational plans and works plans focused on each of the management areas in The Plan, especially gamba surveys, gamba treatment, and weed spread prevention activities.
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Contribute to increased coordination and planning for other grassy weed surveys, treatment and prevention.
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Planning and coordinating dedicated project staff, other KNP staff, Djurrubu rangers (where required), contractors and volunteers, including submission of timesheets.
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Overseeing data collection, validation and analysis for the production of maps and summary reports, and to monitor treatment effectiveness, weed spread/invasion pathways, and change in gamba extent.
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Leading the preparation and delivery of a weed spread prevention plan, involving delivery of a communication campaign focused on weed identification, reporting, and improved weed hygiene.
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Assisting with the preparation and implementation of agreements with industry (e.g., graziers), government (e.g., roads and transport) and other stakeholders (e.g., park neighbours), to encourage the adoption of best practice weed spread measures.
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Participation in weed inspections of vehicles and other equipment and facilities inside and outside the park.
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Leading the procurement and management of contracts (e.g., helicopter services, weed control contractors, workshop facilitators).
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Leading the communication of progress and issues to key stakeholders including the project working group, funding body, Traditional Owners, Parks Staff and Kakadu community, and other interested groups.
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Consulting and liaising with Aboriginal Traditional Owners, park staff, scientists, contractors, and other internal and external stakeholders on gamba grass best practice monitoring and management.
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Providing supervision, training and mentoring to staff in a cross-cultural environment and in periods of change in accordance with the Australian Public Service policies and guidelines.
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Supporting the implementation of the principles of joint management with Aboriginal Traditional Owners and staff and contribute to the development of an effective cross-cultural workplace.
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Implementing the Department’s Risk Management Policy to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
What you'll gain from the experience
You'll gain the opportunity to lead a high-profile conservation program in Kakadu National Park, delivering meaningful environmental outcomes while developing your project management, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills. You'll also build valuable experience working in partnership with Aboriginal Traditional Owners and diverse stakeholders in one of Australia's most unique and culturally significant landscapes.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience
- Experience working with Aboriginal people and communities, and an awareness of issues affecting Indigenous people in remote locations and the ability to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of the park as well as developing and supporting relationships based on mutual trust, respect and consideration of values and culture.
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Demonstrated experience, and a high level of practical knowledge and skills in planning, coordinating and implementing field work in a protected area, particularly remote areas including in the preparation of WHS-oriented paperwork and undertaking detailed risk assessments.
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Have demonstrated experience in planning and delivery of weed control programs particularly in a protected area context with an emphasis on best-practice approaches of grassy weed control and weed spread prevention techniques aimed at success, rigorous data capture and reporting to monitor and measure management effectiveness, synthesis of advice for a range of audiences from ranger groups to neighbouring property owners and effective management of operational teams.
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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.
Skills and capabilities
You should be able to demonstrate:
- Experience in the strategic planning, delivery, and evaluation of weed control programs, particularly in a protected area context, with an emphasis on:
- grassy weeds,
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digital data collection,
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GIS and mapping,
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remote areas work in harsh environment,
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demonstrated application of safe working practices in relation to fire management and a working knowledge of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
- High level oral and written communication skills, including the ability to:
- consult and negotiate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal people,
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build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders including scientists, government agencies, Aboriginal associations, pastoralists, tourism operators, and members of the public,
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develop, prepare, and deliver a range of communication products to a variety of audiences.
- Weed identification skills, especially grassy weeds in Northern Australia.
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Demonstrated ability to be an effective team member with experience in supervising and training participants from a variety of backgrounds, but also a collaborative approach to working alongside other teams on-park (e.g., operations) to assist with the management of gamba grass and other grassy weeds.
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Effective stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to project manage contractors for the delivery of a range of services and products.
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Ability to be in a helicopter.
Eligibility
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
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
