Marine Park Operations Officer

Department of Education and Training of Australia

Christmas Island

On-site

AUD 89,000 - 97,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance (negotiable)

Job summary

Parks Australia on Christmas Island is seeking a hands-on Marine Park Officer to assist in natural resource management and stakeholder engagement for the Christmas Island Marine Park.

You will help manage field operations, collect data, support researchers, and liaise with local groups. This remote role requires strong safety practices and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

Experience in marine operations or natural resource management.
Knowledge of marine ecosystems and conservation principles.
Competence in marine data collection and reporting.

Responsibilities

Support field operations for managing and monitoring marine habitats and species.
Develop stakeholder and community engagement, education, and communications.
Collect and manage technical data from monitoring and research programs.
Provide operational support for researchers and collaborate with community groups.
Maintain equipment and resources required for marine park operations.
Ensure safety protocols during field activities and contribute to risk assessments.
Participate in training and development to build capability in marine park management.
Uphold workplace health and safety standards in all operations.

Skills

Marine operations

Natural resource management

Marine data collection

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Remote work ability

Education

Marine Science degree

First Aid certification

Working with Children Check

Job description

Division
Christmas Island

Under the broad direction of the Marine Park Manager, assist in the delivery of natural resource management operations and stakeholder engagement activities for Christmas Island Marine Park.

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, 60 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.

Australia has one of the largest networks of marine parks in the world. Marine parks protect the diversity of life in our oceans–from coral reefs to deep ocean canyons and undersea mountains. This branch oversees the ongoing management of each of the six Marine Park Networks, Policy and Programs Coordination, Science and Management Effectiveness and Authorisations and Compliance.

The marine environment that surrounds Christmas Island – like the island itself – is spectacular and home to a diverse array of species, including migratory, threatened and endemic species. The Christmas Island Marine Park was established in March 2022 to protect this unique marine environment and support its sustainable use. The park extends across 277,016 km2 of ocean, safeguarding coral reefs, giant seamounts, abyssal plains and vast areas of open ocean. The Christmas Island Marine Park adjoins Christmas Island National Park, connecting and increasing protection across land and sea for seabirds, land crabs and other species that require both environments for their survival.

For more information about us please visit our website .

The job

Under the broad direction of the Marine Parks Coordinator, assist in the delivery of natural resource management operations and stakeholder engagement activities for Christmas Island Marine Park. This includes:

Supporting field operations for managing and monitoring marine habitats and species, including preparation, logistics, and safe implementation of marine park activities.
Undertaking/developing stakeholder and community engagement, education, and communications, including supporting advisory meetings, liaising with local groups and developing communications products.
Collecting and managing technical data from monitoring and research programs, and contributing to reports and documentation.
Providing operational support for researchers and collaborating with community groups and organisations.
Maintaining equipment and resources required for marine park operations.
Ensuring compliance with safety protocols during field activities and contributing to risk assessments.
Participating in training and development to build capability in marine park management.
Upholding workplace health and safety standards in all operations.

APS 5 - $88,834 - $96,829 per annum plus superannuation
Division
Christmas Island

What you’ll gain from the experience

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the management of one of Australia's most remote and ecologically significant marine parks. Working across marine operations, conservation management, stakeholder engagement and research support, you will play a direct role in protecting globally important marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable use of the marine park. The position spans both strategic and operational aspects of marine park management, providing the opportunity to work with researchers, community groups and government partners on a diverse range of projects and conservation challenges. Living and working on Christmas Island also offers the rare opportunity to experience a unique island community while contributing to conservation outcomes of local, national and international significance.

What we are looking for

Experience in marine operations or natural resource management.
Knowledge of marine ecosystems and conservation principles.
Competence in marine data collection and reporting.
Managing a range of competing priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills including effective written and verbal communication for working with community groups and stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively and safely in remote and challenging environments.

Mandatory qualifications

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Marine Science, Conservation Management, Environmental Science)
Obtain/maintain a Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check in accordance with the department's Working with Children Policy.
Obtain/maintain a First Aid certification and willingness to undertake relevant training.

Desirable qualifications

Ability to operate small vessels and conduct on-water activities safely.
Qualifications and experience in occupational SCUBA diving.

Additional requirements

note that relocation assistance is subject to negotiation,
note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work,
note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses.

Eligibility

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 checks

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.

The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.

For more information, see: