Stratigraphy Activity Lead

Geoscience Australia; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Geoscience Australia is seeking a Stratigraphy Activity Lead to manage and continuously improve stratigraphy services. You will ensure datasets are accurate, reliable and meet user needs while leading a small team and guiding colleagues on technical matters.

The role emphasizes data governance, service design collaboration, and facilitating access to stratigraphic information for internal and external stakeholders within Australia’s national context.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in geology/geoscience or equivalent experience.
• Experience with authoritative geoscience or spatial datasets and data integrity.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Data Stewardship & Delivery: maintain stratigraphic datasets and ensure data quality.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: lead a small team and share technical knowledge.
• Service Improvement: identify improvements using performance data and feedback.
• AI-Ready Data & Digital Uplift: support discoverability and machine-readability of data.
• Stakeholder Engagement: build relationships and provide technical advice.

Skills

Geology degree

Geoscience datasets

Stakeholder comms

Education

Tertiary qualifications in geology/geoscience

Job description

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. Click here to find out more.

The role

The Stratigraphy Activity Lead contributes to the delivery and ongoing management and continuous improvement of Geoscience Australia's stratigraphy services and products, ensuring these remain accurate, reliable and meet user needs.

In this role you will:

Data Stewardship & Delivery

• Contribute to the stewardship and maintenance of authoritative stratigraphic datasets including the Australian Stratigraphic Units Database by applying established standards and processes.
• Undertake tasks to support the operation of stratigraphy services and products, ensuring data quality and compliance with agreed standards.
• Plan and manage your own work within agreed priorities, collaborating with team members as required.
• Respond to complex but defined enquiries and requests from internal and external stakeholders under limited direction.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead a small team including managing work allocation and supervising team members on activities related to the stewardship and delivery of stratigraphic information.
• Share technical knowledge and provide guidance to colleagues when required.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and accountable team culture.
• Support the implementation of data governance and stewardship initiatives.

Service Improvement

• Identify practical improvement opportunities using service performance data and user feedback.
• Provide input to the development of solutions and assist with implementation under limited direction.
• Work with service design, digital and technical specialists to support enhancements to user experience.

AI-Ready Data and Digital Uplift

• Assist in activities that improve discoverability and machine-readability of geoscience data.
• Support digital uplift initiatives and organisational strategies related to data stewardship and service delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to support stakeholder access to stratigraphic information.
• Participate in projects, working groups and internal and external forums as required.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Apply your strong technical skills and attention to detail to maintain accurate, reliable stratigraphic datasets.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and manage the work of the Stratigraphy team, including your own work, under limited direction, delivering high-quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Build productive working relationships and communicate technical concepts clearly to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Contribute to a collaborative and accountable team culture, supporting organisational objectives and continuous improvement.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in geology, geoscience or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience working with authoritative geoscience or spatial datasets, applying established standards and ensuring data integrity.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging constructively with stakeholders to address technical or service-related queries.

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role.

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677, and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment and Delivery team on 02 6249 9777 in order to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment and Delivery team on [phone] or email [e-mail].

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.