- This is an incredible opportunity to lead a team of expert horticulturists and trades personnel in developing and maintaining the world’s most diverse collection of Australian native plants, including many threatened species.
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Work and collaborate with knowledgeable and passionate professionals from numerous disciplines at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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The role is both meaningful and fulfilling, delivering tangible outcomes for plant conservation.
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 Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's most diverse collection of Australian native plants. We directly contribute to safe-guarding Australia's plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs - the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics - in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections, and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally. The ANBG works closely with other Commonwealth parks to support plant conservation initiatives. The ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic solutions for national plant conservation, with combined expertise in, and specialist science facilities for: botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture. The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra is a leading national institution for the conservation, study, and display of Australian native flora. For more information about us please visit our website.
For more information about us please visit our website.
The job
The Assistant Director leads the Livings Collections & Assets team who are responsible for the in-ground conservation collections and landscapes, facilities, infrastructure, equipment and buildings within the ANBG site. The team consists of skilled horticulturists and trades personnel that work to maintain the national institution as a facility open to the public seven days a week and receiving over 550,000 visitors a year. The Assistant Director will be responsible for setting priorities and guiding an operational team to achieve conservation objectives, engaging displays with high-quality horticultural standards, responsive facilities and assets management, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture, and driving innovative approaches and efficiencies. The role is ideally suited to an experienced leader with a genuine passion for practical horticulture, assets and facilities management. This is a rewarding role within a nationally significant institution focused on the science and conservation of Australia flora. We are seeking an energetic and supportive leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, can effectively manage change, balance priorities, and work collaboratively across the ANBG to deliver shared outcomes and advance the Gardens' mission.
In this role you will be responsible for:
- Leading and managing the Living Collections & Assets team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture and building staff capability through mentoring, training and development.
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Planning and delivering site operations, including annual work programs, budgets, and continuous improvement of horticultural and facilities maintenance practices to ANBG objectives.
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Promoting and ensuring compliance with WHS and emergency management requirements.
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Supporting the development and delivery of capital works programs, as well as procurement and contract management.
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Collaborating across ANBG teams and working with the Assistant Directors for Collections & Conservation Stewardship, Visitor Experience and Education, and Conservation Horticulture & Nursery Management by providing expert horticultural and facilities advice to support the living collection and conservation programs, including input into the design, coordination, and reporting of conservation and horticultural projects.
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Participating in the ANBG leadership team and contributing to ANBG leadership priorities, including implementation of the Management Plan and Living Collection Strategy.
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Ensuring accurate record keepings and maintaining data integrity across systems.
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Managing horticultural infrastructure and environmental systems to meet operational requirements.
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Representing ANBG as a subject matter expert and engaging stakeholders through professional networks and public activities.
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Supporting the executive through the preparation of briefings, submissions or other materials and through the provision of expert advice.
What you'll gain from the experience
This is an incredible opportunity to lead a team of expert horticulturists and trades personnel in developing and maintaining the world’s most diverse collection of Australian native plants, including many threatened species. The role is both meaningful and fulfilling, delivering tangible outcomes for plant conservation
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience:
- Extensive experience leading and delivering horticultural and facilities operations and management in a high-profile public place, such as a botanic garden, parklands, protected areas or cultural locations.
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Strong project, workplan, and budget creation and management experience, with the ability to deliver outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
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Experience developing and delivering capital works programs, procurement and contract management.
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Sound knowledge of plant conservation in the Australian context, particularly threatened species conservation programs.
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Experience working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to form productive relationships and achieve collaborative results.
Skills and capabilities:
- Highly developed strategic planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
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Proven leadership capability of operational teams, including building positive team culture, managing performance, developing staff capability through coaching and training, identifying efficiencies and leading through change.
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Highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and represent the organisation effectively.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, present information, and contribute to publications.
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A demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace, reflective of APS values and striving for best practice workplace health and safety.
Desirable /qualifications
- A Certificate IV or higher qualification in Horticulture or equivalent is highly desirable.
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Minimum 10 years’ experience in horticultural landscape operations in a high-profile public place.
Additional requirements
- hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence,
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note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
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note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work,
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wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy,
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wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
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hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence,
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note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
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note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work,- wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy,
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wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
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Construction Induction White Card (or willingness to obtain).
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
