- Lead conservation outcomes in an iconic World Heritage landscape by overseeing weed, wildlife, crocodile and compliance programs that protect the environmental values of Kakadu National Park.
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Drive strategic park management through leadership of multidisciplinary teams, development of long-term conservation strategies, and collaboration with scientists, government and key stakeholders.
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Partner with Aboriginal Traditional Owners in a unique joint management environment, helping deliver their vision for the park while fostering a strong cross-cultural workplace and building team capability.
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 Operations team is responsible for managing cross-cutting natural resource management challenges across Kakadu National Park. The section does this by using an evidence-based approach to deliver compliance, wildlife management, feral and weed management; implementing significant natural resource management projects, and supporting planning and reporting on threatening processes and other conservation and Country management issues. The section is an important part of creating an inclusive cross-cultural working environment.
The job
Manage in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), and Regulations (2000) the implementation of key threatening process programs (weeds and feral animal management), compliance and wildlife/crocodile management activities across Kakadu National Park.
The duties will include:
- Provide strategic guidance to the teams on park (e.g. Ferals, Weeds, Wildlife and Compliance teams) to manage key processes threatening the environmental values of Kakadu National Park, and to improve the Park’s resilience in the context of a changing climate.
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Alongside the Biodiversity Conservation Manager, lead the preparation and implementation of strategic plans on threatening processes (e.g. Feral Animal and Weed Management strategies) including stakeholder consultation, workshops and report preparation.
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Coordinating the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of threatening processes management programs within Kakadu National Park.
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Consulting and liaising with Aboriginal Traditional Owners, park staff, scientists, contractors, and other internal and external stakeholders on threatening process management.
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Manage a team in coordinating and conducting compliance, monitoring and support programs. Overseeing compliance and enforcement duties under the EPBC Act and regulations.
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Manage the implementation of wildlife/crocodile management activities and strategies.
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Manage relevant database/s, records and operational systems including data entry, analysis and reporting.
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Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the Kakadu Compliance and Enforcement Strategy.
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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 development and 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.
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Implementing priorities as identified by the Director of National Parks and Kakadu Board of Management and management plans and allocating resources for efficient and effective implementation of programs or business management activities using sound professional judgement.
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Support the Biodiversity Conservation Manager with the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRAMAC) and Bininj/Mungguy Research Advisory Committee.
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Providing advice to the Director of National Parks, the Kakadu Board of Management and participating as part of the leadership group in Kakadu National Park in the formulation and review of Park management policies and procedures as required.
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Progressing the Traditional Owner’s vision for the future of the Park and participating in the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, the community and the public.
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Promoting safe working practices and assist with managing Park emergency assistance operations in collaboration with the District Operations Manager and relevant emergency services.
What you'll gain from the experience
- Advanced leadership and strategic planning skills in managing large-scale, multidisciplinary natural resource programs within a World Heritage-listed national park.
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Deep cross-cultural collaboration experience through joint management with Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners, enhancing cultural competency and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
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Comprehensive expertise in environmental governance and compliance, including applying the EPBC Act, overseeing biodiversity and fire management programs, and managing planning, budgeting, and reporting functions.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience:
- Experience in the development and implementation of biodiversity management and threat abatement programs including knowledge of biodiversity, fire, weed, and feral species management principles and policy design, implementation and evaluation.
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Interpretation of legislation relevant to planning and conservation financial management.
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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.
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Possess 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.
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Demonstrated ability to be an effective member of a team, build positive working relationships, and lead and facilitate change in teams.
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High level experience in planning and delivery of threatening processes programs particularly in a protected area context with an emphasis on:
- research and analysis,
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synthesis of strategic advice for a range of audiences from ranger groups to senior management,
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weed, feral species, and fire management,
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effective management of operational teams.
- Competent in the use of ArcGIS software or similar.
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Demonstrated understanding and practical experience with law enforcement and compliance procedures and legislation relevant to protected areas.
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Demonstrated administration, database and record management skills and ability to process incident reports, conduct investigations and recommend actions in accordance with compliance procedures for approval in a timely and confidential manner.
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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 (desirable).
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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 written and verbal communication skills including a demonstrated ability to provide advice, consult and negotiate effectively with First Nation people, scientists and professionals, government agencies and other external bodies.
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Demonstrated capacity to facilitate Bininj/Mungguy involvement in management programs for biodiversity and threat abatement, and to mentor and train Bininj/Mungguy to be closely involved in management of biodiversity, fire, weeds, and feral species on-country.
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Understanding of Bininj / Mungguy culture will be highly regarded.
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
