- Work on Country – Collaborate directly with Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park in a meaningful, hands-on role.
- Support First Nations Futures – Contribute to positive, lasting outcomes for First Nations people and communities.
- Be Immersed in Culture & Nature – Live and work in the heart of a World Heritage-listed landscape, rich in cultural and environmental significance.

Affirmative measure employment
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
If you are found suitable and offered a position, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility for affirmative measure employment when the formal written offer is made.

For more information about affirmative measure employment, see Affirmative measure for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

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.

Since the late 1970s Kakadu's Traditional Owners have leased their land to the Director of National Parks to be jointly managed as a national park. The Joint Management Team supports joint management in Kakadu National Park by supporting and improving governance processes with the Kakadu Board of Management, building cooperative, respectful and productive work relationships with Board Members, Traditional Owners, the Bininj / Mungguy community and Parks Australia.

For more information about us please visit our website.





The job
In accordance with the Kakadu National Park (KNP) Management Plan and Board of Managements vision, under the general direction of the Park Manager this role will be required to:

- Provide high level leadership within the park by participating as an active member of the KNP senior management team, promoting a collegiate and supportive workplace culture.
- Provide supervision, leadership and direction for the KNP Joint Management Team.
- Manage delivery of Kakadu Board of Management operations including:
- provision of secretariat services including preparing agendas, papers and minutes, tracking action items, arranging all meeting logistics and preparing relevant correspondence on behalf of the Board.
- arranging Board member travel, accommodation, renumeration payments and governance training.
- facilitating and participating in Joint Management Partnership Team meetings.
- Supporting Kakadu Board of Management members engagement with Parks.

- Providing strategic support across the park to drive joint management outcomes in the day-to-day operations of KNP. This includes:

- overseeing joint management procurements and project management.
- any activities and duties that help meet the Joint Management objectives of the KNP lease agreements and Management Plan.
- Regular engagement with Traditional Owners and the community around joint management.
- work closely with the Northern Land Council’s Joint Management Team to engage Traditional Owners on.

- Coordinate and facilitate community / district meetings with Chief Rangers and district staff, Traditional Owners, Park Managers, external stakeholders and other Parks staff as required.
- Provide administrative and logistical support for the Kakadu Board of Management sub-committee meetings.
- Manage the Joint Management operational budget including undertaking contract and project management in accordance with the Departments policies, guidelines and frameworks.
- Promote and implement relevant WHS legislation, policies and procedures across all sections of the park and working with relevant section managers, maintain a reporting system that enables continuous improvement in systems and processes in line with corporate WHS requirements.
- Assist the Director of National Parks and the KNP Management Team improve Joint Management outcomes.

What you’ll gain from the experience

- Deep Cultural Insight – Expand your knowledge and understanding by working closely with First Nations people on Country.
- Policy Impact – Help shape departmental policies and legislation that recognise and embed cultural values and First Nations knowledge.
- Cross-Cultural Leadership – Experience the unique privilege of joint management of Kakadu National Park, walking respectfully between two worlds.





What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
We are looking for someone who has the following:

- An awareness of issues affecting First Nations people in remote locations and an understanding of living and working remotely.
- Demonstrated experience to think strategically, manage joint management outcomes and provide secretariat support
- Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, mentoring and training and the ability to provide leadership in a cross-cultural workplace.
- Demonstrated exceptional cross-cultural awareness, safety and sensitivities given the nature of the role and the environment and the ability to form and maintain relationships.

Skills and capabilities
To be successful in this role you will need:

- Ability to work with Traditional Owners under Joint Management arrangements.
- Ability to work in a team environment and provide a high level of leadership in a culturally diverse workplace.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise, consult, negotiate and manage conflict between staff, and internal and external stakeholders.
- Well-developed written communication skills and the ability to provide secretariat support, draft ministerial and other correspondence.
- Strong financial management skills including the ability to manage resources (people and financial) in line with allocated budget and in line with Commonwealth financial requirements.
- Ability to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, including environmental, procurement and work health and safety legislation and policies.

Additional requirements

- hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle,
- the ability to obtain and maintain a working with children and vulnerable people check

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 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
- AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission

📌 Kakadu National Park – Joint Management Manager - Affirmative Measures (Australia)
🏢 Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 Australia