The role will drive the planning and delivery of threatened and significant species research surveys and monitoring to assess health of country and effectiveness of land management actions

• Live and work in Australia’s premiere terrestrial national park
• Deliver research and monitoring and play a lead role in the protection of Kakadu National Park’s biodiversity assets and natural values.
• Work closely with Traditional Aboriginal Owners and varied stakeholders to manage Kakadu National Park

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.

The Country Section is responsible for the protection of the Kakadu National Park’s biodiversity assets and natural values. The section does this by providing strategic advice and support to the operations section on fire, feral and weed management, managing Country through a significant fire programme; implementing and assisting significant species projects; responding to the threat of climate change; data and knowledge management; and planning. The section is an important part of creating an inclusive cross-cultural working environment.

The Job

Under the limited supervision from the Manager of the Country Section and in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provide leadership to achieve the best practice management of the biodiversity and values of World Heritage and Ramsar listed KNP by:

• delivering a busy program of priority research, surveys and monitoring to assess the health of country, including status and trends in species, communities, and threatening processes;
• analysing data and preparing articles and reports for a broad range of audiences;
• assisting the Country Section Manager in the provision of specialist advice to Parks Australia and the broader Department;
• organising and participating in biodiversity survey field trips, often in remote areas (must be willing to fly in a helicopter, travel by boat). These will include leading vertebrate, invertebrate, and vegetation surveys, and assisting in feral animal management, weed management, and cultural heritage maintenance;
• working with Traditional Owners to determine projects designed to achieve healthy country, and maximising opportunities for engagement and knowledge exchange to foster strong working relationships on and off park including with researchers, DAWE staff, NT government staff, and others; and,
• manage an operational unit including overseeing budgets, assets, workplace health and safety, rosters, and human resources.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

We are looking for a passionate individual with experience in biodiversity research, surveys and monitoring, and a good understanding of threatening processes and contemporary land management and conservation actions. The successful candidate will:

• be experienced in joint-management, have a deep respect for the traditional knowledge held by the custodians of Kakadu and develop strategies in collaboration with First Nations people of the Kakadu region;
• have an awareness of issues affecting Indigenous people in remote locations and a capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of a World Heritage National Park;
• have first-hand experience designing threatened and significant species projects such that the data collection and analysis methods are appropriate, scientifically robust, and able to withstand peer review;
• organise and lead biodiversity survey field trips, often in remote areas (must be willing to fly in a helicopter, travel by boat). These will include leading vertebrate, invertebrate, and vegetation surveys, and assisting in feral animal management, weed management, and cultural heritage maintenance;
• work with Traditional Owners to determine projects designed to achieve healthy Country, and engaging with other stakeholders, including researchers, KNP and DCCEEW staff, NT government staff, and others, and
• manage an operational unit including overseeing budgets, assets, workplace health and safety, rosters, and human resources.
• have a demonstrated ability to be an effective member of a team, build positive working relationships, and lead and facilitate change in teams,
• be competent in the use of digital data capture devices and mapping using ArcGIS software or similar,
• have sound knowledge of Workplace Diversity, Workplace Participation, Work, Health and Safety and the ability to apply and promote them in the workplace,
• have first-hand knowledge and experience in Northern Australian savanna.

Skills and capabilities

You should be able to demonstrate:

1. An awareness of issues affecting Aboriginal people in remote locations and the ability to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of KNP, as well as developing and supporting relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and consideration of values and culture.
2. Demonstrable experience in the strategic planning, delivery, and evaluation of environmental management programmes, particularly in a protected area context, with an emphasis on:

• threatened species monitoring using a range of techniques
• strategic planning, reporting, and adaptive management, and
• experimental design and data collection and analysis with a view to peer-reviewed publication.

3. High level oral and written communication skills, including the ability to:

• consult and negotiate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal people,
• build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders including scientists, government agencies, Aboriginal associations, pastoralists, tourism operators, and members of the public, and
• develop, prepare, and deliver a range of communication products to a variety of audiences, including publication of research results in scientific journals.

Mandatory qualifications

Tertiary Degree in Ecology, Zoology, Botany, or similar. A post graduate degree would be an advantage.

The successful applicant must:

• 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 the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
• note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend 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 uniform and other appropriate clothing.