Senior Program Officer

Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation in Queensland is seeking a senior policy/communications professional to develop and implement an annual communications plan for the program and to manage grant contracts with First Nations organisations.

You will provide support to the program team, establish relationships with First Nations people and other government departments, supervise staff, and contribute to unit outcomes; open to all applicants with priority to Aboriginal

Qualifications

• Knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge, of policy, legislation and frameworks as they relate to the rights and aspirations of First Nations people.
• Demonstrated high level of oral and written communication skills particularly with respect to the preparation of web-page material, media statements, publications and support of events.
• Contract management skills with a strong focus on accountability, maintaining administrative systems, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities, manage changes and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement to meet deadlines and commitments
• High level interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of other key stakeholders, in particular First Nations people

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual Communications plan for the Program.
• Manage grant contracts with First Nations organisations with a strong focus on accountability, maintaining administrative systems and recordkeeping.
• Provide support and coordination to the program team assisting with implementation of the program's communication plan and associated projects.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with First Nations people, officers in QPWS&P and other government departments to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Participate as a proactive team member in contributing to Unit and Branch outcomes and supervise and mentor staff as required to build capability and resilience within the Unit.

Skills

Policy knowledge

First Nations engagement

Oral and written communication

Negotiation

Job description

The people we serve come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our department stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for the environment and science, you will find a home at DETSI.

Your contribution:

• Develop and implement an annual Communications plan for the Program.
• Manage grant contracts with First Nations organisations with a strong focus on accountability, maintaining administrative systems and recordkeeping.
• Provide support and coordination to the program team assisting with implementation of the program's communication plan and associated projects.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with First Nations people, officers in QPWS&P and other government departments to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Participate as a proactive team member in contributing to Unit and Branch outcomes and supervise and mentor staff as required to build capability and resilience within the Unit.

What's in it for you?

• Join a supportive high-performing team with a positive culture and inspiring leadership!
• Enjoy fantastic flexibility, benefits, work life balance, significant development opportunities as a public servant of Queensland!
• Work where you can truly engage your values and sense of purpose to safeguarding the environment for Queenslanders.
• You'll experience so much here. For most of us, it starts with our wonderful people and the rich, diverse perspectives they bring. They're dedicated, passionate and curious professionals. We're all different, and those differences are what make us great.

About you

• Knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge, of policy, legislation and frameworks as they relate to the rights and aspirations of First Nations people.
• Demonstrated high level of oral and written communication skills particularly with respect to the preparation of web-page material, media statements, publications and support of events.
• Contract management skills with a strong focus on accountability, maintaining administrative systems, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities, manage changes and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement to meet deadlines and commitments
• High level interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of other key stakeholders, in particular First Nations people

This role is open to all applicants, however applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander that meet the minimum requirements for the role will be given priority consideration and invited to participate in the next selection activity.

Applications to remain current for 12 months

Job Ad Reference: QLD/702574/26

Closing Date: Monday, 12 October 2026

We're the Queensland government agency responsible for managing and protecting the state's environment and natural resources.

Everyone can find their place here with us. We have heaps of opportunities for those who can see themselves as fearless park rangers, tech-savvy wildlife officers, eco-rule enforcers, policy officers or even project officers; or perhaps any of the roles that support them - like admin, media and comms, finance human resources and legal - to name just a few.

No matter what preference or passion, you'll find #ACareerthatmatters #AContributionthatcounts with us.

We're the Queensland government agency responsible for managing and protecting the state's environment and natural resources.

Everyone can find their place here with us. We have heaps of opportunities for those who can see themselves as fearless park rangers, tech-savvy wildlife officers, eco-rule enforcers, policy officers or even project officers; or perhaps any of the roles that support them - like admin, media and comms, finance human resources and legal - to name just a few.

No matter what preference or passion, you'll find #ACareerthatmatters #AContributionthatcounts with us.