Biodiversity Conservation Manager – (Identified Position)

Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Workplace and Water – Jabiru NT

This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

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 Biodiversity Conservation team is responsible for the protection of Kakadu National Park’s biodiversity assets and bio-cultural values. The section does this by providing strategic advice and support to the operations sections on fire, managing Country through a significant fire program and externally funded conservation programs; implementing significant species projects, facilitating, and supporting externally led research; data and knowledge management; and planning. The section is an important part of creating an inclusive cross-cultural working environment.

The key duties of the position include:

The Biodiversity Conservation Manager leads Kakadu National Parks’ biodiversity, fire, and species management programs, providing strategic direction, cross cultural leadership, and expert advice while working closely with Country Operations team to plan, implement,



and monitor threat management programs that protect the park’s ecological and cultural values.

The duties will include:

- Leadership & Strategy
- Provide high level leadership and strategic direction for conservation planning and programs.
- Drive implementation of biodiversity, fire, and threat management programs.

- Stakeholder Engagement

- Work closely with Aboriginal Traditional Owners, staff, scientists, and external partners.
- Manage teams delivering joint biodiversity and fire programs with key stakeholders.

- Planning & Compliance

- Provide strategic direction for the natural resources data and GIS requirements.
- Supporting Park Management in complying with the Lease Agreement, Park Management Plan, and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) EPBC Act.

- Program Implementation & Resource Allocation

- Implement priorities in line with Park Management plan and Kakadu Board of Management decisions.
- Managing and maintaining a large budget to effectively and efficiently resource delivery of Park-wide programs.

- Policy & Advisory Support

- Provide expert advice to the Kakadu Board of Management.
- Participate in the formulation and review of Park management policies and procedures.

- Project & Contract Management

- Manage projects including planning, budgeting, contracts, and reporting.
- Ensure adherence to government policies and procedures.

- Joint Management & Cross-Cultural Work

- Actively engage and facilitate teams in joint management with Bininj Traditional Owners.
- Promote a respectful and inclusive cross-cultural workplace.

- Staff Support & Supervision

- Provide high level leadership, mentoring, and training to staff.
- Facilitate HR issues resolution, including with support of HR teams.
- Support teams through change, aligned with APS values and policies.

- Representation & Partnerships

- Represent the Park in meetings, forums, and negotiations.
- Build relationships with government bodies, academia, and Traditional Owners.

- Fieldwork & Surveys

- Support teams who organise and deliver biodiversity field surveys in remote areas.
- Willing to travel by helicopter or boat when needed.

- Workplace Health & Safety

- Promote and apply safe work practices.
- Participate in risk management and emergency response planning.

- Reporting

- Synthesise information and report on work programs and initiatives.
- Contribute to board reports and Parks Australia documentation.

- Undertake any other duties as required by the Park Manager - Operations.

Note, the role is based in a regional/remote location and may require travel across multiple sites. Some work outside standard business hours may be required to respond to operational priorities.



The position involves both office-based administration and field-based inspections/coordination. Must comply with organisational policies, WHS requirements, and cultural heritage protection protocols when working in protected areas.

Eligibility

Additional requirements

- Note that relocation assistance is subject to negotiation.
- Note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work.
- 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.
- Note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.
- Note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses.
- Note that you will be required to travel in remote/isolated locations in northern Australia or its near northern neighbours, using a variety of transport including vessels, light/commercial aircraft, helicopters and manual four wheel drive vehicles.
- Note that you will be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams.
- Wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy.
- Wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.

Additional Information

The successful applicant must

- Hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification.
- Hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.
- Meet physical fitness minimum standards to undertake work within the role including firefighting as needed.

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.

Mandatory qualifications – your suitability for employment will be dependent on you holding relevant mandatory qualifications.

- Tertiary qualifications in conservation and/or environmental management.

Notes

We currently have one vacancy available for immediate filling. A merit pool for filling the same or similar position may be established at the conclusion of this selection process.

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📌 Biodiversity Conservation Manager – (Identified Position) (Jabiru)
🏢 Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 Jabiru