Geospatial Officer

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; Canberra; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Reef Authority is seeking a dynamic Geospatial Officer to join the Geospatial Services team in Canberra. You will manage authoritative geospatial data, create maps and visualisations, and deliver practical spatial analysis to support planning, operations and policy development.

Collaboration with the Technical and Digital Services teams is essential. You will apply GIS expertise across the organisation, help integrate spatial information into business processes, and ensure data is used

Qualifications

• You have exceptional attention to detail and a high task completion rate.
• You can apply statutory and regulatory information to cartographic datasets, maps, and outputs.
• You are an excellent communicator with strong stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• You communicate spatial information clearly to non-technical audiences.
• You thrive under pressure, manage competing priorities and adapt to changing requirements.
• You are an effective team member, flexible and proactive.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain geospatial datasets and products using ESRI software.
• Produce static and interactive maps and cartographic materials for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring QA on Reef Authority outputs.
• Provide analytical support and QA for the Field Management Program outputs.
• Advise internal stakeholders on GIS tasks and assist in implementing mapping tools and workflows.
• Conduct spatial analysis (overlays, buffers, proximity checks) to support operational activities.

Skills

Spatial analysis

Data management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Detail oriented

Team collaboration

Education

Geographic Information System / Spatial Analysis / Remote Sensing degree or equivalent

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Enterprise geodatabase

SQL

Job description

Townsville, Cairns, Canberra
Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full-time Applications close Wednesday 18 November 2026, 11:59pm AEST

The Position

We are seeking a dynamic Geospatial Officer with strong technical GIS skills to join our Geospatial Services team. As part of the Data & Geospatial Services team, you will contribute to improved spatial decision making across the organisation by managing and maintaining authoritative geospatial data, producing clear and accurate maps and visualisations, and delivering practical spatial analysis to support planning, operations, and policy development. In this role, you will provide GIS expertise to teams across the organisation, help integrate spatial information into business processes, and ensure geographic data is used effectively to inform outcomes in areas such as service delivery, environmental management, and operational planning. You will be a team player, working closely and collaboratively with the broader Technical and Digital Services team and a diverse network of stakeholders

What you'll do

• Using ESRI suite of software, develop and maintain geospatial datasets and products, ensuring accuracy, currency, and fit for purpose.
• Produce static and interactive mapping products, cartographic materials, and associated legislative documentation in a timely manner for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring quality assurance on all Reef Authority products.
• Provide analytical support and quality assured compliance products for the Field Management Program.
• Assist and provide advice to internal stakeholders with GIS related tasks, training, and queries, and help implement or adapt mapping tools and workflows into daily operations.
• Conduct spatial analysis (e.g., overlays, buffers, proximity checks) to assist in operational activities.

What you'll bring

• You have exceptional attention to detail, maintain focus on quality, and a high task completion rate.
• You are capable of applying relevant statutory and regulatory information to cartographic datasets, maps, and associated outputs.
• You are an excellent communicator with strong internal and external stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• You have the ability to communicate spatial information clearly to non technical audiences.
• You thrive under pressure, manage competing priorities and user expectations, and can adapt to changes in requirements.
• You are an effective member of a team, are flexible and versatile, show initiative, and develop and maintain positive relationships.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Con Charalambou, Manager - Geospatial Services, Ph. [phone]

Why join the Reef Authority?

At the Reef Authority, you'll build a meaningful career while helping protect one of the world's most iconic natural assets. We offer a supportive, flexible and purpose-driven workplace where your work has real impact.

• You'll enjoy competitive APS employment conditions, including up to 15.4% employer superannuation, flexible working arrangements, wellbeing initiatives, professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

• Demonstrated experience in working with ESRI suite of products (ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Online and enterprise geodatabase), including production and publication of high quality maps, management and upkeep of spatial and non spatial data, spatial analysis and management of quality assurance applicable to spatial data.
• Experience handling spatial data formats, coordinate systems, metadata standards, and basic database concepts (e.g., shapefiles, geodatabases, SQL).
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to translate user requirements into spatial outputs.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a supportive member of a multi disciplinary team.
• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in Geographic Information System, Spatial Analysis, or Remote Sensing.
• Practical knowledge of the FAIR Data Principles and the implications for geospatial data management.

You will be required to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.

Notes

• The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.

Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:

• Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
• Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
• Evidence of citizenship status.
• Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
• Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
• The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.