Bush Blitz Project Officer

APS 6 - $95,438 - $108,360
- Parks Australia
- Canberra, ACT
- Join a motivated and professional team to coordinate scientific expeditions across Australia.
- Support taxonomic research and biodiversity conservation.
- Contribute to outreach programs and support Indigenous engagement.

**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.

**The Job**
- Manage and manipulate biological datasets and spatial information particularly in relation to the development of maps.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and contactors in relation to data management and spatial information.
- Undertake project planning of remote field expeditions, including overall project management, procurement and contract management.
- If required, undertake leadership of large multidisciplinary teams in the field.
- Assist in the development and production of scientific report and briefs and contribute to coordinated responses when required.

**What you'll gain from the experience**

You will work with a small team supporting delivery of fundamental, public good biodiversity knowledge, data and information through the support of Australian taxonomic research. Through Bush Blitz you will partner with the Australian research and scientific collections community to help conserve threatened species and ecosystems, and to fill gaps in our knowledge of Australia’s rich and unique biodiversity. You will work with First Nations groups to facilitate the collection of data in the field with Australian institutions that specialise in the collection, review and classification of Australian plants and animals.

**What we are looking for**
- Demonstrated skills and recent experience in managing and manipulating biological data-sets, development of maps and using spatial data management tools.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with particular experience in the coordination field expeditions involving large teams in remote field locations.
- Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and build partnerships with First Nations communities, including remote communities.
- Excellent organisational skills and demonstrated ability to manage a wide range of tasks and processes including contracts and procurement processes as well as the development of WHS risk assessments and operational planning.
- Well-developed oral and written communication skills, particularly relating to the writing of scientific reports, government briefs and coordinated responses.
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- A willingness to travel to remote locations regularly for 2 weeks staying in challenging conditions.

**Mandatory qualifications**
- Tertiary qualification in biological sciences.

**Additional requireme