Country Operations Manager (Affirmative Measure – Indigenous Employment)

About this role

Affirmative measure employment - Indigenous employment The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. If you are found suitable and offered a position, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility for affirmative measure employment when the formal written offer is made. For more information about affirmative measure employment, see Affirmative measure for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission. 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 Operations team is responsible for managing cross-cutting natural resource management challenges across Kakadu National Park. The section does this by using an evidence-based approach to deliver compliance, wildlife management, feral and weed management; implementing significant natural resource management projects, and supporting planning and reporting on threatening processes and other conservation and Country management issues. The section is an important part of creating an inclusive cross-cultural working environment. Manage in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), and Regulations (2000) the implementation of key threatening process programs (weeds and feral animal management), compliance and wildlife/crocodile management activities across Kakadu National Park. The duties will include: • Provide strategic guidance to the teams on park (e.g. Ferals, Weeds, Wildlife and Compliance teams) to manage key processes threatening the environmental values of Kakadu National Park, and to improve the Park’s resilience in the context of a changing climate. • Alongside the Biodiversity Conservation Manager, lead the preparation and implementation of strategic plans on threatening processes (e.g. Feral Animal and Weed Management strategies) including stakeholder consultation, workshops and report preparation. • Coordinating the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of threatening processes management programs within Kakadu National Park. • Consulting and liaising with Aboriginal Traditional Owners, park staff, scientists, contractors, and other internal and external stakeholders on threatening process management. • Manage a team in coordinating and conducting compliance, monitoring and support programs. Overseeing compliance and enforcement duties under the EPBC Act and regulations. • Manage the implementation of wildlife/crocodile management activities and strategies. • Manage relevant database/s, records and operational systems including data entry, analysis and reporting. • Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the Kakadu Compliance and Enforcement Strategy. • Providing supervision, training and mentoring to staff in a cross-cultural environment and in periods of change in accordance with the Australian Public Service policies and guidelines. • Supporting the development and implementation of the principles of joint management with Aboriginal Traditional Owners and staff and contribute to the development of an effective cross-cultural workplace. • Implementing the Department’s Risk Management Policy to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. • Implementing priorities as identified by the Director of National Parks and Kakadu Board of Management and management plans and allocating resources for efficient and effective implementation of programs or business management activities using sound professional judgement. • Support the Biodiversity Conservation Manager with the Kakadu Research and Management Advisory Committee (KRAMAC) and Bininj/Mungguy Research Advisory Committee. • Providing advice to the Director of National Parks, the Kakadu Board of Management and participating as part of the leadership group in Kakadu National Park in the formulation and review of Park management policies and procedures as required. • Progressing the Traditional Owner’s vision for the future of the Park and participating in the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, the community and the public. • Promoting safe working practices and assist with managing Park emergency assistance operations in collaboration with the District Operations Manager and relevant emergency services. For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.