- Shape First Nations careers and employment pathways – Lead programs that create meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to join, grow and succeed across Parks Australia, from traineeships and entry-level pathways through to leadership development.
- Work with community and create real impact – Build strong relationships with Traditional Owners, First Nations communities, education and training providers, helping to design culturally safe employment and development opportunities that respond to community and workforce needs.
- Lead capability and career development across Parks Australia – Drive mentoring, coaching, training and leadership initiatives, while travelling to remote locations and working with people on Country to strengthen retention, progression and workforce capability.

Affirmative measure employment - Indigenous 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.

The CFO & Corporate Services Branch assists the wider Parks Australia operations by providing central corporate support across a range of areas. The branch also acts as a conduit for services provided to Parks Australia by the broader DCCEEW. These services include Finance, Procurement, IT, Assurance and Governance, WHS, HR, Legal and Indigenous Employment Pathways.

The Indigenous Employment Pathways section is creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations Australians to build rewarding careers and play a leading role in the future of Australia’s parks and protected areas.



Working across Parks Australia, the Section supports the recruitment and development of First Nations people into key roles that strengthen critical operations and contribute to leading practices in environmental management, sustainable land management, and the protection of cultural heritage. At the heart of our work is building culturally safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces where First Nations knowledge, culture and perspectives are valued and can help shape the way we care for Country.

The job

The Assistant Director - First Nations Workforce Programs and Capability leads the delivery of employment pathways, career development and workforce capability initiatives that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to join, grow and success within Parks Australia.

The role is responsible for the planning, coordination and continuous improvement of employment programs and initiatives, including entry-level employment pathways, traineeships, career development programs, leadership development, mentoring and workforce capability activities. Working closely with Traditional Owners, First Nations communities, educational institutions, training providers and internal stakeholders, the Assistant Director helps create meaningful employment opportunities and supports employees throughout their career journey.

This role requires a high level of cultural capability, grounded in First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing, and developed through lived experience as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. The position will require frequent travel to remote locations across Australia.

Duties, tasks and responsibilities:

- Lead and design, delivery and continuous improvement of First Nations employment pathway programs, including traineeships, cadetships, work experience and other-entry-level opportunities.
- Coordinate and support First Nations career development programs through mentoring, career coaching, career development and workforce support initiatives.
- Lead the delivery of training, leadership development and capability-building activities for First Nations employees across Parks Australia.
- Coordinate Parks Australia’s participation in career expos, employment forums, community engagement activities and recruitment outreach events.
- Build and maintain relationships with Traditional Owners, schools, universities, training providers, employment service providers and First Nations organisations to support workforce participation opportunities.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement, workshops and community consultation activities that support employment program delivery and workforce participation.
- Provide practical advice and support to managers,



participants and employees involved in employment and development programs.
- Monitor program performance, participant outcomes and workforce capability measures to support continuous program improvement.
- Facilitate workshops, training and professional development activities focused on workplace skills, leadership, cultural capability and career progression.
- Promote culturally safe recruitment, onboarding and workforce development practices that support employee wellbeing, retention and advancement.
- Lead, support and develop team members while fostering collaboration, accountability and high-quality program delivery.

What you'll gain from the experience

Supporting staff within Parks Australia is extremely rewarding. We work to make the lives of our staff easier so that they can spend more time managing our national and marine parks. We can make someone's day by helping them navigate corporate processes.

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

- Demonstrated experience managing employment, training, education or workforce development programs.
- Strong knowledge of program management, stakeholder engagement and participant support models.
- Experience coordinating training, mentoring, coaching or leadership development initiatives.
- Proven ability to build relationships with First Nations communities, training providers and employment stakeholders.
- Strong project management, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders.
- Experience leading and developing staff and managing multiple program priorities simultaneously.

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.

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

📌 Assistant Director - First Nations Workforce Programs and Capability - Affirmative Measures - Indigenous (Australia)
🏢 Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 Australia