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 Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes:

• Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia
• Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving
• Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans
• Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants
• Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes
• Facilitating research and science capacity building and education
• Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation
• Regulatory compliance, operational frameworks and capability support for the use of drones across the Department

The Biodiversity Science and Knowledge Section comprises four teams:

• Australian Biological Resources Study
• Bush Blitz
• Biodiversity Informatics
• Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research.

Our team is dedicated to the science of taxonomy and systematics. We do this by facilitating research in the field, supporting researchers and building capacity, providing authoritative fundamental data on nomenclature and taxonomy for Australian species of plants, animals and fungi, performing research on taxonomy, systematics and conservation of Australian species (particularly plants), public outreach and education, and curating over 1.2 million plant specimens in the Australian National Herbarium.

The Job

The team at the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) is seeking enthusiastic people with subject matter expertise to fill several roles for scientific officers. We require people with expertise and skills in taxonomy and systematics for:

• terrestrial arthropods,
• marine invertebrates, and
• non-flowering plants or fungi.

Please clearly specify your taxonomic expertise in your statement of claims to ensure it aligns with one of the three groups listed above.

Duties in the scientific officer positions will vary slightly depending on the area of taxonomic expertise. Broadly, officers will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Preparing, editing and curating data for our authoritative nomenclature and taxonomy databases (e.g., the Australian National Species List, the Australian Faunal Directory, Catalogue of Australian Bryophytes, Australian Fungi List, Australian Lichen Checklist, and/or the Australian Algae List). This includes liaising with stakeholders and end-users, scientists and data infrastructure experts, and engaging with the most up to date literature for the taxonomic groups;
• Providing advice and expertise on taxonomic matters to DCCEEW and other stakeholders;
• Developing and maintaining productive relationships with collaborators and stakeholders, including experts in scientific research collections nationally, and internationally where appropriate;
• Contributing as a team player to the administrative tasks of the ABRS, including Departmental correspondence and reporting, assessment of research grant progress, and general representation and awareness-raising of the ABRS and its expertise and products.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant field, e.g., taxonomy, systematics, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in handling and interpreting taxonomic data, and presenting it in accessible ways.
• Excellent understanding, and evidence of application, of the Code of Nomenclature for your field of taxonomic expertise
• Evidence of project management and delivery of outcomes.

Skills and capabilities

• Demonstrated ability for presenting scientific information effectively, e.g., publishing taxonomic works, curating relational databases, editing/writing/presentation of data.
• Evidence of, or potential for, developing productive working relationships with collaborators and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability of being a good team player, to work autonomously, and have good attention to detail.
• Programming knowledge, and use of R, is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially as a member of a team and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Mandatory qualifications

• Tertiary degree in a relevant field (e.g., biology, taxonomy, systematics).

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.
• Pre-employment Check - 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 of 6 months.