Research Officer

APS 6 - $85,833 - $97,454 per annum plus superannuation
- ABARES Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _Are you passionate about science? _
- _Do you enjoy delving into complex problems, and using spatial data analysis to investigate the sustainable management of natural resources and terrestrial ecology of forests? _
- _Then, a research position at ABARES is waiting for you..._

**Who we are**
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) represents a unique combination of economic and scientific expertise in Australian government. Most of our staff - including those in senior executive roles - are trained economists and scientists. We are an important link between research and policy, and at ABARES you will be interpreting and advising on real-world problems. As an APS6 employee, you will be advancing your scientific career, with the potential under professional guidance to support junior staff, collaborate widely, assume responsibility for parts of projects, and be proactive in planning and undertaking research.

The Forest and Land Sciences program within ABARES has a vacancy at the APS6 level (Research Officer-Science). The section prepares scientific advice and information products to support sustainable forest management, national policy development and meet national reporting requirements. The section leads national coordination in forest reporting, including for Australia’s five-yearly State of the Forests Report, undertakes international forest reporting, and generates and manages key forest-related datasets including those published on the Forests Australia website.

**The Job**

Duties may include but are not limited to:

- Undertake and coordinate high-quality professional scientific data acquisition, assessments, analysis and curation, working primarily with spatial data relating to Australia’s forests and land management, including forest ecology and forest fire, and prepare maps, graphics, tables and other data products relating to these themes.
- Assist in the preparation of scientific advice, briefings, reports and papers on a wide variety of scientific issues on forest management including sustainability assessment and industry development issues, often in a time-constrained environment, including for the ABARES Executive, policy advisers, industry and the public.
- Liaise and collaborate with scientists, policy advisers and researchers from ABARES, the department and from other Commonwealth, state and territory agencies, and non-government organisations.
- Represent ABARES and the Department at meetings and conferences as required.
- Contribute to the planning and coordination of team operations to ensure goals and objectives are met, including identifying broader influences that may impact on the team’s work objectives.

**Skills and Capabilities**
- well-developed spatial data analytical skills as applied to land, forest, ecology or natural resource management, including use of large spatial datasets for national and sub-national reporting, and demonstrated expertise using ArcGIS and Ms Excel
- well-developed ability to write logically, communicate, and present scientific research and analysis to diverse audiences by diverse means
- time management skills, and the ability to work with limited direction
- the ability to work in a positive, flexible, and appropriate manner
- well-developed interpersonal and organisational skills, including the ability to work productively as an individual and in a team with objectivity and integrity, and to build and maintain professional, constructive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and staff from government bodies and external agencies.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- experience in undertaking complex scientific spatial data analyses using geographic information systems (ArcGIS), in interpreting and advising on natural resource matters, and in written and oral science communication
- experience in a relevant scientific area, including but not limited to forest science, natural resource management, terrestrial ecology, fire or forest assessment
- experience in scientific communication, including writing technical and other reports for a variety of audiences, and giving scientific presentations
- experience in spatial data management and data curation, the preparation of metadata, and the production of high-quality maps and scientific graphics using ArcGIS and Microsoft software
- a history of successful contribution to project delivery.

**Eligibility and other requirements**
Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment Check - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process.