Park Manager

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 Job

The position is located on Christmas Island, in Australia's Indian Ocean Territory (IOT) and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Christmas Island National Park and Pulu Keeling National Parks and for supporting the operational management of the Christmas Island Marine Park and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park.

• Provide high level leadership and manage a remote and isolated workforce across two separate locations within Australia's Indian Ocean Territories, with a strong focus on developing, coaching and mentoring staff, staff wellbeing and role-modelling agreed expectations to maintain a mutually respectful workplace.
• Manage and prioritise natural and cultural resource management programs, including invasive species control, threatened species and ecosystem conservation and monitoring programs.
• Manage infrastructure and assets, including housing, plant and equipment and visitor facilities, and oversee and support the delivery of routine maintenance as well as major capital works.
• Manage budget and expenditure, including making shared decisions around capital and operational priorities, and ensuring compliance with requirements under the Commonwealth's Governance and Financial legislation and frameworks.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with island communities and management committees and other external stakeholders, which includes with scientific advisory committees, community organisations, Shires, Commonwealth and State government agencies, scientific and research communities and the tourism industry, as well as other groups and individuals with interests in the management of the Parks.
• Manage visitor service and experience programs and activities, including developing and enhancing interpretive and other visitor experiences.
• Seek to develop and/or facilitate tourism and associated business opportunities that support the island's socio-economic diversification and park operations.
• Oversee compliance activities under park legislation and regulations, including licence and permit compliance.
• Deliver business management and corporate services and strengthen internal governance systems and to ensure compliance and enhance accountability, including provision of staff training and capability development.
• Initiate and engage in Parks' related events and broader community and stakeholder forums, including representing the Director in these forums as required.
• Ensure a safe environment for all park staff and visitors by working to optimise safety management systems, ensure effective management of critical risks, and role-modelling safe work practices.
• Manage emergency incidents in conjunction with other agencies and participate in on call activities as required.

Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water