- Contribute to the conservation and protection of the marine habitats and marine species within Australian Marine Parks.
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Work in a dynamic, operational role responsible for a broad range of compliance and enforcement related matters.
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Join a high-performing team shaping national environmental compliance outcomes, influencing policy, and supporting the sustainable use of Australia’s marine estate.
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.
Australia has one of the largest networks of marine parks in the world. Marine parks protect the diversity of life in our oceans–from astonishing coral reefs in our tropical seas to deep ocean canyons and undersea mountains in temperate marine regions. This branch oversees the ongoing management of each of the six Marine Park Networks, Policy and Programs Coordination, Science and Management Effectiveness and Authorisations and Compliance.
The Authorisations and Compliance Section performs the marine park regulator function for Parks Australia through delivering authorisations, assessments, compliance, strategy and monitoring operations. Our work directly contributes to the protection of the unique marine park environments and the species and communities that depend upon them.
For more information about us please visit our website.
The job
In this role, you will contribute to the delivery of compliance operations across the Australian Marine Parks network, helping to protect Australia’s marine environment through regulatory action, stakeholder engagement, and field-based activities.
Key duties include:
- Undertake compliance monitoring and enforcement activities relating to allowable use within Australian Marine Parks, ensuring adherence to relevant legislation and management arrangements.
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Plan, lead and support investigations into suspected non-compliance, including gathering evidence, preparing briefs, and progressing administrative, civil or criminal enforcement actions.
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Participate in operational deployments, including field-based compliance activities in the air, on land and at sea, sometimes in remote locations or over extended periods.
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Provide timely, accurate advice to internal stakeholders and decision-makers on compliance matters, regulatory approaches, and enforcement outcomes.
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Liaise and collaborate with Commonwealth, state and territory agencies, as well as industry, community groups and marine park users to support coordinated regulatory outcomes.
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Maintain and utilise regulatory systems to record compliance activities, support intelligence-led operations, and contribute to monitoring and reporting.
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Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of compliance policies, procedures, and operational practices.
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Represent Parks Australia in meetings, briefings and external forums, building strong professional relationships and promoting compliance objectives.
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Manage competing priorities and workloads, delivering high-quality outcomes in a dynamic and operational environment.
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Participate in a rostered Duty Officer function, including being available for out-of-hours response and operational support when required.
This recruitment is intended to be used to fill a known vacancy in August 2026, a known period of maternity leave for up to 12 months in September 2026 and a possible expected additional vacancy some time in 2026.
What you’ll gain from the experience
- Develop strong investigative, regulatory and compliance skills in a nationally significant environmental context.
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Gain unique field and operational experience across Australia’s marine parks, including work at sea and in remote locations.
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Work with a diverse range of stakeholders while contributing directly to the protection of Australia’s marine environment.
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Build your career within a high-performing team and a leading Commonwealth regulatory agency.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience
- Demonstrated experience in compliance, regulatory or investigative roles, including planning and conducting investigations and supporting enforcement outcomes.
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Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies and procedures to assess risk, analyse complex issues and inform decision-making.
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Experience preparing high-quality written products, including briefs, reports and evidentiary material, tailored to different audiences.
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Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced, operational environment.
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Understanding of, or ability to quickly develop knowledge in, environmental regulation, natural resource management or Commonwealth compliance frameworks.
Skills and capabilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex information and make well-reasoned decisions.
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Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage, influence and negotiate with a broad range of stakeholders.
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Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across government, industry and community stakeholders.
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Sound organisational skills and the ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
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Capacity to operate effectively both independently and as part of a team in office and field-based environments.
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Adaptability and resilience to operate in a role that includes operational deployments, changing priorities and occasional out-of-hours work.
Mandatory qualifications
- Certificate IV Government (Investigations) or equivalent
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 the position may require them to participate in an on-call roster (for which an appropriate restriction allowance will be paid) and be available to perform duty outside standard hours,
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note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work,
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note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including sea safety, situational awareness, first aid and CPR courses,
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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
Eligibility and other requirements
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
Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Mandatory qualifications – your suitability for employment will be dependent on you holding relevant mandatory qualifications.
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
