Manager Conservation Horticulture

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
- Parks Australia
- Canberra, ACT

**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 Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG), on the lower slopes of Black Mountain in Canberra hosts the nation’s largest living collection of Australian native plants. The Gardens features over 4,000 species representing one-fifth of Australia’s known native plants with over 78,000 plants growing on site. It is the only place in the world you can see this diversity of Australian flora in one location. The living collection is an important scientific resource. The scientific basis of the ANBG’s collection means scientists from around the world refer to the ANBG for information. The ANBG is involved in in situ conservation of threatened species and through ex situ cultivation and propagation trials and the collection of seeds for conservation in the National Seed Bank for study and reintroduction into their native habitats. The Conservation Horticulture team includes the production nursery, tropical collections, and plant collection records units. The team is responsible for propagating and cultivating a broad diversity of Australian native flora using specialised horticultural facilities. We also manage the scientific data, tags and labels associated with the living plant collections. Our highly skilled team produces plants for the Gardens and has an increasing role in collaborative plant research and conservation.

**The Job**
- Manage the Conservation Horticulture team, including unit planning, staffing, and budget management.
- Manage collaborative conservation and research projects, including planning, project management, partnership agreements and tailored reporting.
- Build the ANBG’s role and influence in plant conservation, including through development of strategies, policies and technical reports, curation of the living collection, and promotion through collaborative networks.
- Develop partnerships with relevant government agencies, conservation groups and organisations to support conservation and horticultural programs of the ANBG.
- As part of the ANBG Management team, contribute to the strategic development of the ANBG consistent with ANBG Management Plan.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**- Demonstrated and practical experience in delivering conservation outcomes including knowledge of Australian plants, ecological or botanical science and an understanding of horticultural practices.- Demonstrated experience at effectively managing projects, workplans, budgets and contracts.

**Skills and capabilities**
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning abilities, including