We are seeking an experienced, outcomes-focused Assistant Director to coordinate and enable the Australian Government’s capacity for understanding Reef health all-year round, with a heightened focus over the high-risk summer period to assess the impact of any significant Reef health event (including coral bleaching) using both aerial and in-water surveys and to explore new technology to allow remote data collection. Trialling innovative technology to support our understanding of events that impact the Reef is essential to support effective policy and management responses.

The Assistant Director – Reef Health Surveillance and Innovation position will be responsible for investigating feasible innovative approaches to understanding impacts to Reef health and developing protocols and partnerships to respond. This includes working with Traditional Owners, a range of stakeholders, project management, coordinating partnerships and procurement, sourcing and providing technical advice and reporting.

You will work closely with Reef Authority staff, management partners, Traditional Owners and stakeholders to scope, design and develop protocols to support informative and timely evidence-based information on Reef health (specifically in relation to coral bleaching). You will also coordinate aerial survey responses and in-water ground truthing as required. Your efforts will position the Reef Authority with long-lasting tools and innovative technology options to support resilience-based management and reporting.

About You

To succeed in this role you will

• have excellent negotiation skills and have the proven ability to work collaboratively with individuals, stakeholders, the science community and management.
• be a natural problem solver, a doer and have the ability to innovate and see things through to completion.
• have the ability to prioritise and align strategic and operational activities in order to complete tasks on time and to a high standard.
• be an inclusive leader and enjoy being part of a cohesive team.