Assistant Director Spatial Planning

Location Townsville, QLD; Cairns, QLD; Yeppoon, QLD; Gladstone, QLD; Canberra, ACT.

Closing Date Sunday 25 February 2024, 11:59pm AEST

The Position

We are seeking a natural resource management or government policy or Spatial Planning professional to join our team. You will help develop and implement Marine Park / marine protected area policies and marine spatial plans under limited direction with reasonable autonomy and accountability.

As the leader of the Spatial Planning team, you will need the ability to understand current uses of the Marine Park and their management; and to identify issues, consult with Traditional Owners, stakeholders, other government agencies, reef industries, scientists and catchment community stakeholders to develop solutions to address the issues.This role may have a considerable level of public contact in relation to difficult or sensitive issues and may liaise with a range of stakeholders in a representational capacity. Work may involve management responsibilities requiring the setting of priorities and managing workflows.

Duties

1. Collaborately develop and implement policies and/or spatial management strategies that support the protection of the Marine Park through a risk-based management approach that provides for sustainable use.
2. Manage complex projects and develop initiatives to effectively manage Marine Park activities and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Reef Authority’s regulatory systems by working collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders on strategic issues, including with Queensland to ensure alignment with joint permitting and joint field management arrangements.
3. Advise on the application of Marine Park legislation, spatial plans, policies and procedures and prepare high quality written material and reports including the provision of expert, timely, practical, transparent and risk-based advice to management. This includes in relation to relevant legislation, plans and policies of other government agencies which affect the Great Barrier Reef.
4. Represent and explain the views of the Reef Authority in a range of meetings and forums with internal or external stakeholders, Traditional Owners and other government agencies including influencing cooperation on strategic issues.
5. Actively participate, as a committed team member, to the work of the Marine Park Policy and Planning Section, including contributing to delivering the broader Reef Authority’s corporate objectives.
6. Be responsible for supervising staff and managing resources, work priorities and monitoring progress to achieve results demonstrating the ability to be agile and responsive to changing requirements.

As an APS employee you may be reassigned to a different set of duties at the same classification level at the discretion of the agency head (CEO), taking account of operational requirements in the agency.

Eligibility requirements and qualifications

Applicants must:

1. be an Australian citizen at time of applying for position,
2. be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance, failure to do so will result in termination of employment.

Essential Requirements

• Demonstrated planning experience with a minimum of three (3) years in a similar role.
• Understanding of Commonwealth Government and Parliamentary processes and how to navigate them to deliver outcomes. 

Desirable experience or equivalent experience

• Experience or relevant tertiary qualifications in natural resource management or planning, especially in developing policies and legislation for managing multiple use protected areas.
• Knowledge of the multiple uses of, and the management framework for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.
• Have the ability to travel – sometimes overnight or for multiple days. 

To Apply

Please prepare a ‘pitch’, which does not exceed two pages, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

1. how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.
2. any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
3. how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

Your application must include:

1. your ‘pitch’ (as described above).
2. proof of Australian citizenship.
3. a current curriculum vitae (resume) that includes: 

• an outline of your career history. 
• qualifications and/or formal/informal training relevant to the position. 
• contact details for at least two recent referees, one of whom should be your current supervisor.

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website. 

To apply for this position, please see the vacancy listing on The Reef Authority’s Career Portal.