Media & Communications Officer

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.

The Media and Communications Officer is a member of the Tourism and Visitor Services team which manages commercial tour operations and communication, delivers interpretive and education programs, supports media activities, and manages events and festivals.

The Job

Under the direction of the Tourism Services Team Leader:

• Coordinate commercial film and photography activities, including preparing detailed itineraries, processing of permit applications, and providing timely responses to all media enquiries.
• Assist with the production and distribution of information for media visiting the park including briefing and supervising of media crews, photographers and artists visiting the park to ensure adherence to the media guidelines.
• Review and update templates, policies, and procedures in relation to the media permit system.
• Maintain positive experiences by offering advice to media organisations, tour operators and visitors regarding applications, access areas, permit availability, image capture use-conditions, and Park Management.
• Assist with the production and post-production of media material such as video, undertake data entry, record management, monthly reporting, and word processing.
• Liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, including tourism partners such as Tourism Top End and Tourism NT, Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners of Kakadu, researchers, official visitors, Parks Australia staff, and other relevant organisations.
• Assist the Tourism Services Team Leader and Tourism and Visitor Services Manager on specified projects as required.
• Coordination of digital and media communication including preparation of newsletters, digital and social media content and working with tourism partners to facilitate appropriate promotion of the Kakadu brand.
• Share the Traditional Owner’s 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.
• Supervise, train and mentor staff in a cross-cultural environment including supporting the APS3 Permits Officer with assessment and issuing of Commercial Tour Operator, bushwalking and camping permits.

The successful applicant must:

Hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle,

Wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy.

Please note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Have knowledge of Kakadu National Park’s natural and cultural values and the park’s status as a world-class travel destination.
• Be experience in joint management, have a deep respect for the traditional knowledge held by the custodians of Kakadu.
• Have an awareness of issues affecting Indigenous people in remote locations and a capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of a World Heritage National Park.
• Understanding of the media landscape in Kakadu National Park
• Experience in producing engaging written and visual content across print, digital and social media channels.

Skills and capabilities

• An awareness of issues affecting Indigenous people in remote locations, and a capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of a World Heritage National Park.
• Demonstrated strong administrative and organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, processes, and policies to field of work.
• Knowledge and understanding of the media industry and an ability to manage time and priorities effectively to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills and the ability to support and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders and staff.
• Strong stakeholder liaison skills and a demonstrated ability to build productive working relationships.

Desirable Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in media, public relations, communications or journalism, or equivalent professional experience