Director, Conservation Science and Programs | Full-time Temporary

Australian Capital Territory; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The ACT Office of Nature Conservation (ONC) seeks a Director of Conservation Science and Programs to provide strategic leadership across science planning, research and program delivery in the ACT. The role sits within the Office of Nature Conservation, reporting to the Senior Director, and drives evidence-based conservation outcomes.

You will oversee five thematic science teams, coordinate budgeting and planning, and advise ecological science groups on collaboration and project delivery, while

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in science or conservation programs.
• Experience in strategic planning and budgeting.
• Ability to coordinate multiple science teams and deliverables.
• Strong communication and briefing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of science planning and program leadership.
• Directly manage five thematic science teams and prioritize deliverables.
• Advise ecological science teams on planning and collaboration.
• Lead communications, briefing and reporting to stakeholders.
• Support threatened species initiatives and secretariat functions.
• Lead stakeholder engagement on wildlife issues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Education

Tertiary qualifications in ecology or related discipline

Job description

Director, Conservation Science and Programs
Full-time Temporary

Details: The Office of Nature Conservation (ONC) brings together policy, science, and data expertise to accelerate unified thinking and action to respond to the immense conservation challenges facing the ACT. The team focuses on an outcomes-based philosophy to guide and inform on-ground conservation efforts undertaken by ACT Parks and Conservation Services, volunteer environmental partners and the community.

With minimal direction, and in consultation with the Senior Director, Office of Nature Conservation, the Director, Conservation Science and Programs, is responsible for strategic oversight and coordination of science planning, research and program leadership within the Office of Nature Conservation. Duties include:

• Branch-wide science planning and budgeting, and contribute to strategic planning and management for the branch
• Directly manage five thematic science teams, including maintaining oversight of priority business plan deliverables
• Supporting and advising ecological science teams in relation to planning, collaboration, and/or other relevant matters
• Communications, briefing and reporting
• Promote the development of a threatened species program, including supporting the Threatened Species Steering Committee through secretariat functions
• Lead stakeholder engagement on several challenging wildlife issues
• Represent CED and ACT Government on national, regional and local committees/working groups or at forums supporting interjurisdicational conservation and coordination on threatened species, natural resource management and related conservation matters, as relevant
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key external bodies, including other ACT Government agencies, stakeholders, community organisations, and interstate counterparts
• Oversee formation of high-quality, robust, evidence-based advice on conservation and management of ecological communities and species in the ACT, and facilitate the provision of this advice to stakeholders including the Parks and Conservation Service, other branches of the Environment, Heritage and Parks Group, ACT planning institutions and relevant government departments

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• Visa holders are eligible to apply.
• This position does not require a Working with Vulnerable People Check.

Mandatory:

• Teritary qualifications in ecology or related discipline
• Extensive relevant experience in a leadership role

Highly Desirable:

• Extensive experience in experimental design and statistical analysis, including postgraduate qualifications
• Extensive experience in the ACT or other government / NRM agencies

Notes:

• This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of three months with the possibility of extension up to six months. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.
• A merit pool 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 applications only.
• The position operates from an activity-based working workplace where officers will not have a designated workstation/desk. Opportunities for flexible working options could include hybrid working, being a combination of working from home, designated office based and FlexiSpace working locations across the ACT, part‑time hours, job‑sharing, flexible start, and finish times.

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

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

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 .

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Note

This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of three months with the possibility of extension up to six months. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.