Technical Officer or Senior Technical Officer

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Flexible working

4 weeks annual leave

Public holidays leave

Staff parking

National Park Entry Pass

Job summary

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is offering a permanent, full-time Technical Officer (Level 3) or Senior Technical Officer (Level 4) in the Marine Science Program in Kensington. You will support marine monitoring, research, and science communication while overseeing fieldwork and image laboratory operations for WA's marine biodiversity.

Applicants should have substantial knowledge of marine ecosystems and experience with remote sensing/field equipment.

Qualifications

• Considerable (Level 4) knowledge of marine ecosystems and experience identifying marine fish (ESSENTIAL).
• Experience managing or operating an image laboratory and training people in image analysis software and online platforms (DESIRABLE).
• Experience working in teams to lead or conduct marine science fieldwork, including deployment of remote equipment (ROVs and BRUVs).
• Considerable experience managing large biological data sets (cleaning, curation, storage and querying), including R and Shiny Apps (DESIRABLE).
• Knowledge and experience maintaining field equipment (ROVs/BRUVs) and developing or adopting new technologies (ESSENTIAL/DESIRABLE).

Responsibilities

• Provides technical and field support for marine monitoring, research and science communication for the conservation of Western Australia’s marine biodiversity.
• Contributes to (Level 3) or manages (Level 4) the operation of the Marine Science Program image laboratory.
• Organises and undertakes (Level 3) or leads (Level 4) fieldwork to remote locations.

Skills

Marine ecosystems

Marine fish ID

Image lab operation

Fieldwork coordination

Data management (R, Shiny)

Tools

EventMeasure

ReefCloud

SQUIDLE+

ROVs

BRUVs

R

Shiny Apps

Job description

Join us in our mission to promote biodiversity, conserve our valuable ecosystems, and provide engaging attractions that connect people with nature. THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION THIS POSITION IS BASED IN KENSINGTON APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT MIDDAY ON THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2026 The Marine Science Program aims to ensure the department's marine biodiversity conservation and management programs are based on best practice science. The program promotes and undertakes marine research and monitoring to improve the scientific basis for the conservation and management of Western Australia's state-wide system of marine protected areas, threatened marine fauna and marine biodiversity generally. We currently have an opportunity for a Technical Officer (Level 3) or Senior Technical Officer (Level 4) to join our team. At the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the mindsets and expected behaviours required of all our employees and the public sector. In this role, you will demonstrate Personal Leadership to help drive positive change.

• Provides technical and field support for marine monitoring, research and science communication for the conservation of Western Australia’s marine biodiversity.
• Contributes to (Level 3) or manages (Level 4) the operation of the Marine Science Program image laboratory.
• Organises and undertakes (Level 3) or leads (Level 4) fieldwork to remote locations.

Selection Criteria Applicants should address the following five (5) criteria. These should be addressed in no more than three (3) pages in total.

• Considerable (Level 4) or working (Level 3) knowledge of marine ecosystems and considerable experience identifying marine fish (ESSENTIAL) and benthic communities (e.g., corals, seagrass, temperate algae) (DESIRABLE).
• Experience managing (Level 4) or contributing to the operation of (Level 3) an image laboratory and training people in the use of image analysis software and online platforms (e.g., EventMeasure, ReefCloud, SQUIDLE+).
• Experience working in teams to lead (Level 4) or conduct (Level 3) marine science fieldwork, including the deployment of remote equipment (e.g., ROVs and BRUVs).
• Considerable (Level 4) or demonstrated (Level 3) experience managing large biological data sets (cleaning, curation, storage and querying), including the use of advanced methods (e.g., R code, Shiny Apps) (DESIRABLE).
• Considerable (Level 4) or demonstrated (Level 3) knowledge and experience maintaining field equipment (e.g., ROVs and BRUVs) (ESSENTIAL) and developing or adopting new technologies for field sampling and analysis (DESIRABLE).

About Us

DBCA, one of Western Australia's largest state government agencies, providing exciting and challenging career opportunities in biodiversity conservation and park and natural resource management. We employ people with world-class scientific, policy, land and marine management, visitor services, research and educational skills. For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at DBCA is an attractive proposition, please visit our website.

Benefits of working with us

In addition to the attractive salary and opportunities to contribute to biodiversity and environmental conservation initiatives, the department offers incentives including:

• Staff discounts at gyms, pools and fitness centres (where available) through the Fitness Passport program.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December.
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Access to study, bereavement, foster caring and parental leave.
• A confidential employee assistant program (EAP) for you and your family, including psychology and counselling services.
• An annual National Park Entry Pass.
• Well-established learning and development programs.
• Free staff parking.

Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will need to possess or obtain:

• A current Western Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.

Eligibility

It is essential to have Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency status or a valid working visa to be appointed to this role.

Agency Referrals

Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at [e-mail] during the advertising period.

Substantive Equality Statement

DBCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Indigenous Australians, young people, people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and women to apply for positions within our agency.

People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.

The Department also promotes flexible working arrangements.

Applicants with a disability who require adjustments in the recruitment process, including an alternative to applying online, can contact the Senior Recruitment Officer on [phone] or [e-mail] .

For further job-related information: contact Dr Richard Evans on 0429 709 858 or for further information about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/.

Similar appointments may be made from this process in locations throughout Western Australia within a 12-month period to positions that may be permanent or contract, including contract appointments with the possibility of subsequent permanency.