Digital Ecologist

APS 6 - $91,944 - $104,393
- Parks Australia
- Canberra - ACT, Sydney - NSW
- Support innovation to deliver digital data and information in protecting our environment.
- Work with a dynamic team with a range of expertise to deliver leading edge applied science solutions across the department.
- Opportunity for on-ground experience in some of Australia's iconic landscapes.

**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 Office of the Chief Remote Pilot (OCRP) ensures the safe and compliant use of drones in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations and Departmental policy whilst delivering business outcomes using drones across the Department. The Department operates drones throughout Australia and Antarctica to meet the outcomes and key activities of the Department’s Corporate Plan. RPA are a foundational technology being used to:

- Delivery of innovative and expert advice to the Australian Government grounded in evidence and science.
- Undertake compliance and surveillance activities in carrying out regulatory functions.
- Engage and partner with First Nations Peoples in program delivery.
- Increase the efficiency of land management activities, contribute to visitor safety and infrastructure assessment in Commonwealth National Parks.
- Improve our staff’s safety and wellbeing in operational settings.

**The Job**

The successful applicant will work with a diverse range of users and undertake work that is complex will operate independently under broad direction. The duties of the roles include, but are not limited to:

- Undertake research, analysis, integration and evaluation of ecological datasets including but not limited to, camera trap, acoustics, videography or drone data.
- Perform independent research work and analysis including the preparation of draft reports and journal publications on relevant program activities and/or project milestones.
- Oversee trials and tests of new data collection methods and real-time analytics capabilities.
- Provide advice and technical assistance to stakeholders and users to achieve project outcomes and meet data and AI governance requirements.
- Implement work plans including setting tasks and priorities, managing work flow, allocating resources and status reporting.

Please note the position will be required to undertake travel at times for the purposes of program activities, undertaking technology demonstrations, meetings with internal and external stakeholders and partners, and conferences. Travel allowances will be provided as specified in the relevant industrial instrument.

**Knowledge and Experience**
The successful applicant will have some or all of the following experience:

- Experience developing AI/deep learning workflows for automating routine data processing pipelines and the analysis of environmental data.
- Demonstrated ability in managing and analysing large ecological spatial and temporal datasets and in developing storage and analysis solutions using cloud compute.
- Experience in leading technical projects with demonstrated experience participating in technical and administrative aspects of project delivery, including interpreting results into operational outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders and users to achieve business outcomes and maintain internal and external networks.
- Ability to conduct field work in remote locat