Assistant Director, Manager Australian Biological

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379
- Parks Australia
- Canberra - ACT, Hobart - TAS
- Manage a program that provides national biodiversity knowledge products and supports taxonomic and systematics research
- Provide the link between research and policy outcomes to protect and conserve Australia's unique biodiversity
- Work with a dedicated team to improve our knowledge of Australia's species

**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
- 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

The Biodiversity Science and Knowledge Section comprises four teams:

- Australian Biological Resources Study
- Bush Blitz
- Biodiversity Informatics
- Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research.

Our team is dedicated to the science of taxonomy and systematics. We do this by facilitating research in the field, supporting researchers and building capacity, providing authoritative fundamental data on nomenclature and taxonomy for Australian species of plants, animals and fungi, performing research on taxonomy, systematics and conservation of Australian species (particularly plants), public outreach and education, and curating over 1.2 million plant specimens in the Australian National Herbarium.

**The Job**
The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) delivers high-quality authoritative nomenclature and taxonomy data for Australia’s biodiversity, supports the research sector via grants and capacity-building, and provides strategic leadership for stakeholders. Management of ABRS is a complex and rewarding role, requiring skills in leadership, sound understanding of budgets, and project coordination. Use your skills in building teams and partnerships with your knowledge of taxonomy and systematics to contribute to achieving ABRS’s strategic goals.
The role includes, but is not limited to:

- Building the capacity of the ABRS team to deliver on its strategic goals, and the goals for Parks Australia and the Department
- Managing the operations for the ABRS team, including supervising staff, planning and managing budgets
- Overseeing projects and contracts to deliver outcomes for ABRS
- Developing and maintaining partnerships to attract collaborative projects with internal and external stakeholders
- Contributing to the strategic development of the Biodiversity Science and Knowledge Section

Remote work option available.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
- Relevant postgraduate qualifications in taxonomy, systematics or a related biological discipline, and demonstrated expertise in taxonomic science are highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in effectively managing diverse teams, and in managing budgets, workplans and delivering projects.
- Evidence of building capacity in teams and building and