Principal Project Officer (Monitoring, Research and Evidence)

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Together, we create thriving environments, communities and economies.

• Aboriginal Targeted Opportunity
• Principal Project Officer (Monitoring, Research and Evidence) – Environment Officer Class 11
• Ongoing Full-time (35-hours per week) Opportunity
• Office location: Parramatta NSW (An existing BCT office in NSW will be considered upon negotiation and availability) Hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and Salary ranges from $148,339 to $163,480 + super

About the Role

Help shape how BCT measures, understands and improves private land conservation, connecting statewide monitoring, collaborative research and practical evidence. As Principal Project Officer (Monitoring, Research and Evidence) with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), you will lead work that answers three essential questions: what is happening on land protected through BCT conservation agreements?; is conservation management working?; and how can we use the evidence to improve biodiversity outcomes?

Working alongside the BCT Principal Ecologist, who leads ecological design, methods, standards and technical advice, you will bring together people, programs and partnerships to strengthen monitoring delivery, build the research portfolio and assess management effectiveness. From improving monitoring approaches to translating research and reporting conservation outcomes, you will help turn evidence into decisions about management actions, program settings and investment.

About the team

You will join BCT’s Agreements and Technical Services team, working with ecologists, regional delivery teams and research partners to strengthen the evidence underpinning private land conservation.

Your priorities will include:

• Leading and improving statewide BCT Ecological Monitoring Module (EMM) delivery with regional teams and service providers, strengthening data assurance, exploring new monitoring tools and supporting training of external BAM Accredited Assessors.
• Developing management-effectiveness evidence from monitoring and environmental data to understand which management actions are working and inform adaptive management, investment and program improvement.
• Putting the BCT Research Strategy into practice through a portfolio of collaborative research, building partnerships with government, universities and research providers, and translating findings into practical conservation approaches.
• Supporting internships and postgraduate research that address priority evidence gaps, connect emerging researchers with practical conservation questions and build BCT’s research capability.
• Delivering agreement-scale outcomes reporting and the BCT Biodiversity Outcomes Report, making findings accessible to landholders, decision-makers and the public and providing a clear account of conservation outcomes.
• Leading staff and project contributors, setting delivery priorities and connecting work across monitoring, research and reporting so that evidence informs conservation practice.

This is a targeted role under GSE Rule 26 and Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply.

About You

In this role, you’ll bring:

• Strategic thinking about how monitoring, research and evaluation can answer priority conservation questions and improve programs.
• Strong planning and prioritisation skills to balance long-term evidence needs with immediate delivery and reporting demands.
• A collaborative approach to working across disciplines and partnerships, with sound judgement and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to decision-makers and diverse audiences.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience leading complex monitoring, research, evaluation or environmental data programs in conservation, natural resource management or the public sector, with knowledge of the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method, BCT EMM or comparable frameworks.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, projects, contractors or partnerships to deliver statewide programs, reform initiatives or evidence-based products.
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including using evidence to assess management effectiveness, inform adaptive management and demonstrate conservation outcomes.
• Experience analysing and interpreting complex monitoring or environmental data to inform decisions.

Essential requirement

• Tertiary qualifications in environmental science, natural resource management, environmental data science or a related discipline, and/or equivalent experience in a similar role.

For more information, read the full Role Description: Principal Project Officer - Monitoring, Research & Evidence.DOCX

About the Biodiversity Conservation Trust

The Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is a small, focused agency with a clear statutory mission and functions. We manage over 2,000 existing long-term agreements with landholders by actively supporting them to protect biodiversity on their land, and we have funded strategies to grow private land conservation. We also have an important statutory role as part of delivering conservation outcomes under the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme.

We are a group of motivated staff delivering high-integrity biodiversity outcomes in NSW, under the direction of a strong statutory Board. A majority of staff are regionally located, and we value a respectful, collaborative culture internally and with our stakeholders.

Participation in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS) & BCT’s Private Land Conservation (PLC) Programs

The successful applicant for this role will be required to declare any conflict of interests related to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, as defined in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Conflict of Interests Protocol. This ensures the department is made aware of potential conflicts of interest so they can be appropriately managed.

Where an applicant has a high-risk “defined interest” in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, they may be required to divest this interest before being employed by the department.

If you think you might have a conflict of interest related to the scheme, or you are unsure, please discuss this with the hiring manager.

The department is committed to protecting the public interest and public trust in the exercise of its functions. These values, together with transparency and accountability, are integral to the administration of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. For more information, please contact the hiring manager.

The BCT also has restrictions on staff participation in its funded PLC programs. No additional funding, beyond that already agreed to by the BCT, may be sought or approved during time as a BCT employee or for a 12-month period following termination of employment.

If you (or a close family member) participate in the BOS scheme or already hold a funded agreement with the BCT and require further information before submitting your application please contact the hiring manager.

• If you are excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application. Please include a copy of your resume and a cover letter expressing your interest and explaining why you think you are suitable for the role.

Applications close Wednesday, 25 November at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Andrew Growcock via andrew.growcock@bct.nsw.gov.au.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• How to apply for public service roles and prepare an application.
• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.
• Information and support for veterans transitioning into government careers.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Judy Torres on 02 9585 6806 (please mention reference number 554394).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out Our Mob on Country https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers/our-mob-on-country to see the work we do and get assistance in applying.