Conservation Science Multiple Positions

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Who we areAustralia'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 AustraliaLeading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weavingProviding scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management PlansManaging the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation's largest living collection of native plantsInnovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomesFacilitating research and science capacity building and educationCurating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservationRegulatory compliance, operational frameworks and capability support for the use of drones across the DepartmentParks Australia recently established a new Conservation Science section, offering an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping the identity and work of the section. As we build a new work profile, we will continue to facilitate and support innovative, cross-disciplinary research to inform management of the Commonwealth parks and gardens, to achieve outcomes for conservation and community, and to contribute to the national nature positive conversation. The section includes marine and terrestrial conservation scientists working together on complex, real-world problems that realise the potential for the parks and gardens to build conservation knowledge and outcomes for Australia. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a cross-disciplinary team developing, facilitating, coordinating and delivering the science and knowledge foundations to inform the management of Australia's Commonwealth parks and gardens.The current work streams in the Conservation Science section include:Science Strategy and Partnerships – setting the direction of science in Parks Australia, designing and evaluating mechanisms for implementing and embedding strategy in business processes, and facilitating and maturing partnerships to deliver robust science and increase its impact and influence.Monitoring and Management Effectiveness – designing systems and programs to effectively and efficiently understand and predict the trajectories of important values, and the effectiveness of management within and beyond our parks in social, cultural, ecological and economic domains.Climate Change – understanding the social, cultural, ecological and economic impacts of climate change on our parks and their surrounding landscapes, vulnerability of important places and values to climate change, and developing approaches for integrated, sustainable adaptation thinking and actions.Knowledge Weaving – bringing together and elevating different knowledge systems to build a holistic understanding of our Parks and how to manage them, co-design innovative and sustainable solutions to complex conservation problems, and build institutional cultural competency.Ecosystems and Species – understanding the ecology and conservation requirements of ecosystems and species across our Parks, the impacts of threats and pressures on these values, and testing novel management actions to support their persistence.Nature Repair and Nature Positive Initiatives – exploring the opportunities and contributions of protected areas in social, cultural, economic and ecological domains to broadscale nature protection, repair and regeneration initiatives including 30 by 30, ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions, the nature repair market, environmental accounting and ecosystem service valuation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. We recognise the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in our workplace.We aim to attract, recruit and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Our priority is to ensure a safe workplace where we celebrate all cultures.The JobWe are looking for people who can apply their skills and technical expertise to facilitate applied research that tackles complex and emerging problems. We are particularly interested in expertise in one or more of the following areas: applied ecology, marine and terrestrial science, climate adaptation science, social science, decision science, systems thinking, complex ecological modelling, ecological forecasting and prediction, environmental accounting, biodiversity/carbon markets, restoration ecology. You will play a leading role in developing and delivering programs in one or more of the work streams across both marine and terrestrial systems. You will collaborate closely with other scientists in the Conservation Science section, as well as a wide range of colleagues and in other parts of Parks Australia, including staff in the parks. The duties of the roles include, but are not limited to:Developing plans for integrated programs of work in areas including science strategy implementation and evaluation, partnership development, climate change adaptation, knowledge weaving, understanding and managing ecosystems and species, monitoring and evaluating management effectiveness, nature repair and nature positive initiativesEngaging with the research community and other internal and external stakeholders to represent and communicate Parks Australia's science priorities Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external partners, Traditional Owners, island communities, research users and other stakeholders to communicate Parks Australia's science prioritiesFacilitating and supporting, including through application of your own specialist skills and knowledge, implementation of integrated programs of scientific work in collaboration with internal and external partnersSummarising, interpreting and synthesizing research findings into easily understood formats for diverse audiences including high quality reports, scientific papers, newsletter articles, briefing documents or advice, and presentationsHelping to build and maintain an effective network of scientifically interested and trained staff across Parks Australia's locations through knowledge exchange and capability building. What we are looking forKnowledge and experienceOur ideal candidates will have specialist expertise that can be applied across a range of activities and programs, and who are collaborative boundary spanners that exhibit curiosity, and innovate. They will be focused on achieving outcomes in an applied management environment and committed to promoting a culture of learning, teamwork, and respect in the workplace.In addition, they will have the following skills, capabilities, and experience: Expertise in one or more of: social science, systems thinking, collaborative knowledge and governance systems, adaptation science, decision science, environmental and/or socioecological system modelling, environmental economics or accounting, ecology/conservation biology (particularly in marine and/or terrestrial systems). Experience in applying that expertise to address complex problems and inform management outcomes in areas such as: weaving knowledge systems, conservation prioritisation and decision making, protected area management and ecosystem/species conservation, monitoring and management effectiveness design, climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning, ecosystem service evaluation, environmental accounting, biodiversity and carbon markets.Knowledge of relevant notable national and international contemporary initiatives, case studies, strategies, forums and policies associated with the Conservation Science section work streams would be beneficial.Skills and capabilitiesExperience planning and facilitating implementation of innovative conservation-focused research projects or programs.Proven ability to work collaboratively in multi/inter-disciplinary research teams, within and across organisations. Ability to establish and foster research partnerships and collaborations with other government agencies, industry and/or universities.Demonstrated capability in undertaking scientific data analysis and interpretation, in drawing conclusions and recommendations for conservation management, and in translating and sharing knowledge to achieve research impact.Excellent written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to diverse technical and general audiences, including traditional owners, local communities, land managers, and scientists.Ability to work and communicate sensitively with First Nations and island communities to build strong and productive relationships in conservation scienceThe successful applicant must:wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and proceduresEligibilityMandatory qualifications - Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Postgraduate qualifications are highly desirable.Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.Pre-employment Check - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.
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