- Support the Island Park Managers in the strategic coordination of Christmas Island National Park, Pulu Keeling National Park, Christmas Island Marine Park, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park and Norfolk Island National Park.
- Lead the development, coordination, tracking and reporting of implementation of the management plans across the Indian Ocean Territories and Norfolk Island protected area network.
- Provide high-level strategic advice to the Park Manager and line managers on management plan delivery, program integration, business planning, governance, risk, partnerships and stakeholder issues. Develop and deliver the role for the Indian Ocean Territories to be replicated and implemented on Norfolk Island.

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.

This position is located on Christmas Island, in Australia’s Indian Ocean Territory (IOT), and provides high-level strategic planning, governance, implementation and stakeholder engagement support across the four protected areas managed from the IOTs and for Norfolk Island National Park. The role works closely with the Park Managers and line managers to strengthen planning, integration, accountability and delivery across the protected area network, with a particular focus on coordinating implementation of the four management plans and leading community and stakeholder engagement.

The job

- Support the Island Park Managers in the strategic coordination of Christmas Island National Park, Pulu Keeling National Park, Christmas Island Marine Park, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park and Norfolk Island National Park.
- Lead the development, coordination, tracking and reporting of implementation of the management plans across the Indian Ocean Territories and Norfolk Island protected area network.
- Establish and maintain fit-for-purpose systems for planning, implementation tracking, reporting, governance and performance monitoring to support accountability and effective delivery.
- Provide high-level strategic advice to the Park Manager and line managers on management plan delivery, program integration, business planning, governance, risk, partnerships and stakeholder issues.
- Work collaboratively with managers and staff to align operational work programs,



projects and priorities with management plan objectives, branch priorities and emerging strategic needs.
- Lead the coordination and management of community and stakeholder engagement for the IOT parks, including engagement with local communities, advisory committees, researchers, partner agencies, industry, non-government organisations, and other stakeholders with interests in Park management.
- Oversee strategic communications to represent the needs of multiple line areas.
- Supervise staff involved in community and stakeholder engagement and support the development of consistent, professional and culturally appropriate engagement approaches across the four parks.
- Coordinate the preparation of strategic documents, ministerial and executive briefs, reports, submissions, presentations, correspondence and other key internal and external products.
- Support the identification and progression of strategic opportunities, including partnerships, external funding opportunities, cross-program initiatives and business improvements that strengthen Park outcomes.
- Contribute to the development of internal governance systems, planning frameworks and business processes that improve consistency, transparency, compliance and organisational effectiveness.
- Initiate and engage in Parks-related events and broader community and stakeholder forums, including representing Parks Australia in these forums as required.
- Promote a safe environment for staff, stakeholders and visitors by supporting sound safety practices, role-modelling safe work behaviours and contributing to effective risk management and emergency preparedness.
- Undertake other duties as required, including high priority projects, consistent with the classification and capability of the position.
- Establish the above practices in the Indian Ocean Territories to replicate on Norfolk Island and establish the role across the Island parks network.

What you'll gain from the experience

This position presents a unique opportunity to help shape and coordinate the strategic direction of four protected areas across one of Australia’s most distinctive and complex remote park systems. It offers the opportunity to work across marine and terrestrial protected area contexts, support senior decision-making, strengthen implementation of new management plans, and build trusted relationships with communities and stakeholders in the Indian Ocean Territories.

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

Knowledge and experience

- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program coordination, governance, implementation tracking, reporting or business improvement in a protected area, environmental management, natural resource management, public administration or related context.
- Demonstrated experience providing high-level strategic support and advice to senior leaders, including the ability to translate strategic priorities into practical delivery frameworks and coordinated work programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating community and stakeholder engagement processes involving diverse interests, cultures, expectations and sensitivities.
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing staff and supporting teams to deliver coordinated outcomes in complex and dynamic environments.




- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing or maintaining systems and processes that improve accountability, transparency, consistency and organisational effectiveness.
- Knowledge of the functions and principles of managing a protected area including; natural resource management; visitor experience and tourism strategies; and regulatory compliance activities.
- Demonstrated ability to model, apply and promote Workplace Diversity, Workplace Participation and Work Health and Safety principles and practices in the workplace.
- A good understanding of, or the ability to quickly acquire, knowledge of protected area management, relevant environmental legislation, and Australian Government governance and administrative frameworks.

Skills and capabilities

- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality briefs, reports, correspondence, plans and presentations for a range of audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to develop productive working relationships and nurture internal and external partnerships, facilitate cooperation and support effective collaboration across teams and organisations.
- Solid organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, identify strategic risks and issues, and maintain oversight of complex work programs.
- High level of cultural competence, with the ability to establish respectful, trustful and productive relationships with multi-cultural communities in a small and remote setting.
- Strong leadership and people management capability, including the ability to guide staff, support capability development and foster a positive and inclusive team culture.
- Ability to act professionally and ethically, demonstrate resilience, exercise sound judgement and work under limited supervision in a complex and isolated operating environment.
- Highly versatile skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities to ensure Park management priorities are met.

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.

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

- Qualifications in natural resource management, environmental management, public policy, planning, community engagement, project management or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

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

📌 Strategic Engagement, Communications and Partnerships (Australia)
🏢 Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 Australia