Bush Blitz Project Officer

• APS 6 - $91,944 - $104,393 per annum plus superannuation
• Parks Australia Division
• Canberra, ACT

This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

• The small team works with a wide range of stakeholders including Australia's top researchers, First Nations peoples, educators and industry.
• This position provides an excellent balance of office and field work and the opportunity to see some amazing remote locations around the country.

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.

Bush Blitz is the world’s largest biodiversity documentation program. It is a partnership between Parks Australia, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department), BHP and Earthwatch Institute. The Bush Blitz Program runs scientific expeditions to locations in Australia to investigate and document biodiversity. The Bush Blitz program is delivered predominantly through Parks Australia and team members are employed within Parks Australia in the Science & Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch.

The Job
The main tasks of the role will include, but not be limited to, development and coordination of the Bush Blitz Continuing Connections project and Bush Blitz media and communications strategy. The Bush Blitz Continuing Connections project aims to develop ongoing connections with Bush Blitz stakeholder communities. The aim of this work is to partner communities that host Bush Blitz field trips with the opportunity to partner with researchers and scientists to develop an ongoing project or study that will provide long-term knowledge of biodiversity and support educational outcomes. The Bush Blitz media and communications strategy includes a review of current media and communications and a strategy to increase the profile of Bush Blitz and its key messages through online platforms, social media and mainstream media.

Other tasks include:

• Negotiation of new scientific partnerships and collaborations.
• Managing the budget and procurement processes for the Continuing Connections project
• Preparing reports and briefings associated with the Bush Blitz Continuing Connections project and Bush Blitz media and promotion outcomes. Contribute to reports, coordinated responses and briefings for Section business.
• The development of media content and the coordination of team contributions to media content.
• The possibility of leading teams of researchers, teachers and BHP employees during Bush Blitz field trips.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Demonstrated coordination and liaison experience working with researchers, land managers, First Nations people, and educators.
• Evidence of existing networks and networking experience in biological research and/or land management and conservation.
• Experience in media and communications, and the promotion of environmental/research projects. • Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and a proven ability to engage appropriately with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities
• Leadership experience or a background that demonstrates a capacity for leadership

Skills and capabilities

• Ability to work independently and also effectively as a constructive member of a small team
• Strong communication skills and the ability to manage a range of correspondence types.
• A passion for science communication and a creative flair to disseminate scientific information to a wide audience.
• Demonstrated organisational skills in handling a wide range of administrative tasks, defining work priorities, monitoring workflows and meeting agreed deadlines.
• Willingness to travel and work in the field in remote locations with basic facilities for up to two weeks at a time.

Desirable qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in biological sciences, media or similar.

Eligibility
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.

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
• hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
• 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 complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses
• 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
• the ability to obtain and maintain a working with children and vulnerable people check
• wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

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