Citizen Science Manager

Citizen Science Manager / Coordinator for The Yunbenun - Magnetic Island Citizen Science Project.

This is an exciting opportunity for a marine scientist with managerial and field operations experience to use their skills to improve our knowledge of the coral reefs and surrounding seas of Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) in North Queensland.

Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA) is a not-for-profit community organisation and has obtained a grant for citizen science activities from the Australian Government's Reef Trust.  The grant will fund citizen science projects on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) from 2025 to March MICDA is looking to hire a full time Citizen Science Manager / Coordinator for this exciting and important project under an employment contract from October 2025 to March 2030.

The Citizen Science Manager / Coordinator will manage all aspects of the required activities under this project.  These activities include:

Completing water sampling and analysis (4 sites/quarter);

Completing coral and fish diversity surveys (10 sites/quarter);

Completing coral surveys (26 sites/year);

Completing marine mapping via aerial drones (4 sites/quarter) and photo quadrants (3 sites/year);

Microplastic sampling at creek outflows (5 sites/half year); and

Recruiting landowners of creeks for creek restoration activities (10 sites).

The activities themselves will be undertaken by project partners and citizen science volunteers, although the Manager / Coordinator will need to be capable of joining most, if not all, of the activities on occasion to better understand the details.  The 12 project partners and stakeholders include Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Townsville City Council (TCC), Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, TropWATER, University of Queensland, Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Grover Scientific and Snorkelling Downunder.

To support these activities and ensure appropriate safety, knowledge sharing, recording, reporting, coordination and celebration of the activities, the Manager / Coordinator will also be responsible for:

Coordinating Stewardship Workshops

Coordinating the field operations program with partners and community volunteers;

Establishing and regularly reviewing standard operating procedures and task risk assessments for all activities;

Establishing and undertaking quarterly steering group meetings with stakeholders and partners;

Submitting 10 progress reports to DCCEEW;

Submitting an annual technical data report to end users (TCC, Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics…);

Attending the biennial Australian Citizen Science Association conference to present on the project; and

Undertaking monthly community events during the dry season.

Skills and Experience:

We are ideally seeking an experienced Manager / Coordinator who meets the following selection criteria:

1.   Demonstrated record of managing multi-year scientific, technical and/or community projects with experience in effective project management including developing, implementing and reporting for projects;

2.   Experience working in the Great Barrier Reef marine environment, regional areas and small communities, and particularly Yunbenun - Magnetic Island will be viewed favourably.  It is expected that the Operations Manager / Coordinator would be based on Yunbenun - Magnetic Island or the Townsville region for the duration of the contract;

3.   A background in Marine Science or similar technical area;

4.   Experience with the field and scientific tasks in the project, including quality control and risk and safety management;

5.   Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including being able to work with a wide variety of partners. Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to effectively develop and maintain professional working relationships;

6.   A proven record as a self-starter with organisational and time management skills and the ability to deal effectively with competing priorities to meet deadlines;

7.   Proven critical thinking and analytical and problem-solving skills; and

8.   Ability to use most modern office software programs (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).

A full-time salary package commensurate with the role and experience will be available.  And a 4 days a week role could also be arranged.

Applications:

Please email your application with a resume and brief letter explaining why you are suited to this role and addressing the selection criteria, to the MICDA President, Ms Libby Evans-Illidge at:

Applications close 3 October 2025.