Interpretation Project Officer

Opportunity to implement Interpretation Projects, elevate the park's visibility and contribute to the joint management of this World Heritage site.

Identified position - This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

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, 58 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.

Kakadu National Park is a world-heritage listed site for its natural and cultural values, and one of three national parks, leased by their Aboriginal owners to the Director of National Parks, and jointly managed by Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. Parks Australia assists with ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage. In addition to ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage, this branch also manages strategic priorities for Parks Australia, managing a range of strategic planning and major capital projects across the three jointly managed parks.

Kakadu National Park is seeking a dynamic and experienced interpreter to advise, support and enable the implementation of Interpretation Projects, programs and activities in Kakadu. The Interpretation Project Officer will work closely with Traditional Owners, Parks Australia staff, stakeholders, and contractors to raise the profile of Kakadu National Park while producing engaging, thematic, accurate and educational interpretive experiences for visitors. This position is an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic professional with a passion for Aboriginal cultures and conservation, has a track record of success and a desire to contribute to the joint management of a World Heritage National Park.

The Job

Under the limited direction of the Tourism and Visitor Services Manager:

• Provide advice, direction, and support to enable the implementation of projects and programs in line with the Kakadu Interpretation Strategy.
• Liaise with Aboriginal traditional owners and relevant stakeholders to develop and implement recommendations within the Tourism Master Plan 2020-2030.
• Develop guidelines, procedures, tools, and content for Park interpretation to support project managers, project teams and external service providers in best practice and high-quality interpretive outcomes.
• Liaise with the tourism industry and training providers to continuously review and update course content and delivery of the Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guide accreditation to ensure culturally appropriate, accurate, engaging and safe interpretation activities in Kakadu.
• Assist the Manager Tourism and Visitor Services as directed. Develop and review interpretive and educational resources, including:
• Content for interpretative signage.
• Collateral (e.g. visitor guide, holiday planner, park notes, safety information) • Promotional materials (such as print, digital media, video production and signage) to attract, inspire and engage target markets for Kakadu National Park.
• Audio/visual upgrades to Bowali Visitor Centre and Warradjan Cultural Centre Plan and deliver activities and events, such as Taste of Kakadu and Kakadu Bird Week to attract and engage target markets for Kakadu National Park (e.g. school groups, special interest).
• Plan and encourage staff participation in community engagement at local community festivals and events and consumer shows in the Top End region.
• Mentor and supervise a team in a cross-cultural environment (including interpretive contractors). Support their training and development to build capability, skills and capacity.
• Share the traditional owners’ vision for the future of the park and encourage, facilitate and participate in the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, the community and public.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated experience in Interpretation Project and program design, delivery and co-ordination or management, educational services, visitor information and/or visitor experience and basic graphic design.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and evaluation of interpretation, park information and visitor/tourism engagement content, programs and services.
• The ability to establish and manage successful relationships and partnerships with government, community and stakeholder organisations.

Skills and capabilities

An awareness of issues affecting Indigenous people in remote locations and the ability to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of the park as well as developing and supporting relationships based on mutual trust, respect and consideration of values and culture. Demonstrated experience in interpretation and education with an emphasis on:

• Development of interpretive and promotional material (digital projects, signage, collateral, graphic design).
• Planning and implementation of interpretive and education projects and programs.
• Delivery and monitoring of interpretive programs/projects.
• Interpretive training and mentoring of interpreters.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and develop staff and contractors from a variety of backgrounds in a remote and cross-cultural workplace, including managing contractors in the implementation of programs, performance and conflict management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience producing material for specific audiences (e.g. developing material).
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to maintain productive stakeholder relationships and consult and negotiate sensitively and effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders including from other government agencies, the public and representatives of community groups.
• Proven resilience and the ability to adapt to and implement change in the workplace and live in a remote and culturally diverse area in a sometimes challenging environment, and demonstrated application and promotion of safe working practices in the workplace.

Mandatory qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in interpretation, visitor and community education, design or communications, or equivalent professional experience.
• Hold and maintain a current driver’s license.

Eligibility and other requirements

• 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 Check - 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 of 6 months.