Area Manager (New Reserves) – ACT Government – Canberra, ACT

COOEEads; Canberra; On-site; AUD 128,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

The Area Manager - New Reserves role in the ACT Government leads the establishment and ongoing management of new reserves under the environmental offsets program. It oversees conservation, restoration, research and land management to fulfil offset commitments and protect biodiversity across the ACT.

Working in a multidisciplinary environment, the position provides leadership to staff, coordinates planning and budget processes, and builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Current ACT WWVP Registration or ability to obtain.
• Possess a manual driver's license.
• Experience and/or willingness to undertake incident management duties including fire standby, suppression and training.

Responsibilities

• Lead establishment and ongoing management of new reserves under ACT Government offsets program.
• Oversee conservation, restoration, research and land management activities delivering offset commitments.
• Provide expert advice on reserve management, environmental planning and compliance, ensuring programs meet government priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Budget planning

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Education

Environment or natural resource management degree

Cert IV / associate diploma in natural resources

Job description

City and Environment Directorate
Salary: $127,597-$136,873 pa. + super
Permanent, Full-time position
Position No: 38135

The Area Manager - New Reserves is responsible for leading the establishment and ongoing management of new reserves under the ACT Government's environmental offsets program. The role oversees the delivery of conservation, restoration, research and land management activities that fulfil environmental offset commitments and support the protection of biodiversity and natural values across the ACT.

Working within a multidisciplinary environment, the position provides leadership to operational staff, coordinates planning and budget processes, contributes to strategic policy and operational outcomes, and develops productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The role also provides expert advice on reserve management, environmental planning and legislative compliance, ensuring programs are delivered effectively and in accordance with government priorities and statutory requirements.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/ Other Requirements

Mandatory:

• The successful applicant must have a current ACT Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) Registration OR the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Possess a manual driver's license.
• Experience and/or willingness to undertake incident management duties including participation in fire standby, suppression and training.

Highly Desirable:

• A tertiary degree in environment or natural resource management with diversified experience of 8+ years AND/OR equivalent associated natural resource management/environmental science qualifications (e.g. cert IV, associate diploma) AND/OR extensive experience in a relevant field.
• This position may require a pre-employment medical.

Note: An order of merit will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months. Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

For further information contact James Overall by email: [e-mail] or phone: [phone]

Applications close: Thursday, 22 October 2026.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.