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, and 60 Australian Marine Parks 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 Marine and Island Parks Branch works to protect, conserve, and enhance the values of Commonwealth marine and island parks for the use and well-being of all Australians. We are responsible for the management of 60 AMPs, Christmas Island National Park, Pulu Keeling National Park and Norfolk Island National Park. We are passionate about the places we manage, in partnership with local communities, stakeholders, park users and other government agencies. Our work is important, diverse, interesting, and ever evolving.

Christmas Island National Park protects 63% of Christmas Island for conservation and visitor enjoyment. This includes programs that manage, and monitor threatened and endangered species populations, visitor management activities and the rainforest rehabilitation program.

The Job

The Rehabilitation Manager is responsible for the delivery of the Christmas Island Minesite to Rainforest Rehabilitation (CIMFR) Program and weed management activities within Christmas Island National Park. This primarily involves overseeing site prioritisation and preparation and planting of newly relinquished mine sites, maintenance of previously rehabilitated areas and, overseeing a large nursery operation. The position requires the ability to balance allocation of physical resources and people efficiently and effectively in a complex environment characterised by competing priorities. This is a challenging but incredibly rewarding position for the right candidate.

In this role you will be required to:

• Work effectively within a large, operational, cross-cultural workforce with a strong focus on workplace safety and supporting staff to work effectively within the Australian Public Service framework, building capability, and role-modelling agreed expectations around conduct and behaviour to maintain a mutually respectful workplace.
• Work effectively as part of the park management team which includes the park manager, business manager and program managers, to co-ordinate allocation of physical resources and people to projects.
• Leading, training and mentoring a team of staff and volunteers, including addressing Parks Australia’s Work Health and Safety requirements in support of a safe work environment.
• Planning and implementing the rehabilitation program in collaboration with key stakeholders, including scheduling of annual and long-term works.
• Overseeing the implementation of the implementation of the Christmas Island National Park - Weed Management Strategy.
• Manage procurements, budget, and expenditure, and ensuring compliance with requirements under the Commonwealth’s Governance and Financial legislation and frameworks.
• Co-ordinate stakeholder consultation and advice regarding the CIMFR rehabilitation program and weeds & flora management within the Christmas Island National Park.
• Prepare technical reports and briefs, including annual reports and parliamentary and/or departmental briefs.
• Liaising with stakeholders, the Christmas Island community, and representatives of the media regarding forest rehabilitation.
• Have a reasonable level of fitness to undertake fieldwork in rugged terrain and perform tasks in hot, humid and often wet conditions.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated experience in living and working effectively in remote areas within multicultural communities.
• Demonstrated experience relevant to management of ecosystem rehabilitation works and/or natural resource management programs within remote areas with inherently challenging procurement and supply chain environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, equipment, infrastructure, and financial resources; and develop and manage research programs.
• Experience in management and implementation of safety initiatives/programs within a remote and unique working environment.
• 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 experience or knowledge of working within the government or large corporate landscape, including management of budgets and budget processes, and ensuring compliance with relevant procurement and work health and safety legislation and policies.

Skills and capabilities

• Highly developed planning skills, the ability to implement complex rehabilitation programs and prepare management and performance reports.
• Ability to effectively liaise and collaborate with a multitude of stakeholders to improve rehabilitation options and outcomes in a remote and unique working environment.
• Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills including an ability to advise, consult, negotiate, manage conflict, and build effective relationships within a culturally diverse community, professionals, government agencies and other external bodies.
• Strong prioritisation skills and the ability to make decisions in a high-pressured environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Adopts a principled approach, acts professionally and ethically, adheres to the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Desirable Qualifications

• A diploma, degree, or postgraduate qualifications in Natural Resource Management and/or minesite rehabilitation.

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.