- Work with Traditional Owners and other Park staff to develop, implement, and report on Kakadu National Parks management program.
- Implement the Traditional Owner’s vision for the future of the park including participating in the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, the community and public.
- Support coordination and deliver strategic prescribed burning programs and fire response and suppression activities across all park districts.

Identified position
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 Workplace 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.

For more information about us please visit our website.

The job
Under general supervision and at the direction of the Fire Management Coordinator, implement biodiversity and cultural focused fire management projects across Kakadu National Park.
This includes to:

- Work with Traditional Owners and other Park staff to develop, implement, and report on annual fire plans and late dry season response plans and tools.
- Coordinate and lead strategic prescribed burning programs in the wet season and early-dry season,



including aerial and ground burning with a key responsibility for implementing the parks Fire Management Strategy.
- Monitor late dry season fires using web-based tools such as NAFI.
- Contribute to late dry season fire response and suppression activities across all park districts and liaise with senior staff to support these efforts.
- Maintain data and GPS records associated with fire management activities using ArcGIS.
- Assist in the preparation of annual monitoring and evaluation reporting, including the use of GIS tools.
- Assist in research activities associated with fire management, as required.
- Contribute to on-park meetings to update the parks Fire Management strategy and relevant supporting documents.
- Supervise staff in a cross-cultural environment including encouraging Traditional Owners and other relevant Aboriginal people to participate in all aspects of fire management in the park
- Implement the Traditional Owner’s vision for the future of the park including participating in the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, the community and public.
- As an effective member of the team, mentor, support and train junior staff and seasonal staff on the Kakadu Fire Team, and traditional owners to develop practical skills, safe work practices, and efficient and effective use of equipment and resources to implement fire management.
- Promote safe working practices as per the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and relevant departmental WHS policies.
- All duties will be performed in accordance with the Park’s Lease Agreement, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and Management Plan.

What you'll gain from the experience
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with Traditional Owners and operational teams in delivering genuine cultural and conservation outcomes based on Traditional Knowledge and scientific evidence.

What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and experience

- 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.
- Demonstrated experience, and a sound level of practical knowledge and skills in planning, coordinating, and implementing fire management in a protected area, particularly aerial burning and on-ground burning with Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic fire management, planning, and reporting, including using and information systems such as GPS, databases, and GIS.
- Demonstrated ability to be an effective team member with experience in mentoring and training staff from a variety of backgrounds; and ability to participate in and adapt to change.
- Effective verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills including the ability to consult and negotiate sensitively in a remote and cross-cultural workplace; and the ability to produce clear and accurate scientific and cross-cultural focused reports.




- Demonstrated application of safe working practices in relation to fire management and a working knowledge of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Skills and capabilities

- Skills in planning, coordinating, and implementing fire management in a protected area, particularly aerial burning and on-ground burning and fire suppression with Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders, including incorporation of Traditional Knowledge and Skills, in fire management.
- Ability to effectively supervise staff in a cross-cultural environment including supporting Traditional Owners and other relevant Aboriginal people in participating in all aspects of fire management in the park.

Desirable qualifications
The successful applicant must possess the below units of competency or have the ability to obtain them.

- AHCFIR501 - Manage wildfire hazard reduction programs.
- AHCFIR502 - Plan prescribed burning for fuel, ecological and cultural resource management.
- PUASS00080 – Prescribed Burn Crew Leader.
- PUASS00067 - Complex Prescribed Burn Officer.
- PUASS00068 – Complex Prescribed Burn Planner.
- PUAFIR008 - Operate aerial ignition equipment in an aircraft.

Additional requirements

- 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,
- note that relocation assistance is subject to negotiation,
- note that the ability to perform shift work is a requirement when applying for this position(s),
- note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
- 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

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.

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
- AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission

📌 Fire Management Officer (Identified Position) (Kakadu National Park)
🏢 Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 Kakadu National Park