AddressAffirmative measure - Indigenous employment – The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to 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.
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is named after two of Australia’s most spectacular sites: the world-famous sandstone monolith of Uluṟu and the red domes of Kata Tjuta. Our dual World Heritage-listed park is in the heart of the Central Australian desert, about 450 km from Alice Springs. The land is owned by the Aṉangu people and leased to Parks Australia, who manage the National Park in collaboration with the Traditional Owners. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park was handed back to its Traditional Owners in 1985, the park has been jointly managed by Aṉangu and the Australian Government. All management policies and programs aim to maintain Aṉangu culture and heritage; conserve and protect the integrity of the ecological systems in and around the park; provide for visitor enjoyment and learning opportunities in the park. The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa landscape is and will always be a significant place of knowledge and learning.
Living and Working at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
The successful candidate is required to live on Park at Uluṟu Kata-Tjuṯa National Park. Living and working on a dual World Heritage listed National Park is an incredibly rewarding and unique experience. Whilst there are challenges living remotely, working with a close-knit team provides an enriching experience where you can combine your passion for working on a World Heritage Park in the heart of the desert with an aptitude for working with people, solving complex problems and driving Joint Management outcomes working with Traditional Owners and Aṉangu.
The Job
The UKTNP Park Manager position presents a unique opportunity to lead a culturally diverse workforce and to engage with Traditional Owners to work towards their vision for the future of the park. The ideal candidate for this position will have significant experience in conservation and land management practices, capacity building, managing day to day park operations, and the ability to communicate sensitively while operating in a complex environment. This is a challenging but incredibly rewarding position for the right candidate. In this role you will be required to:
- Mentor and develop assistant Park Managers in support of commitments in the Plan of Management and Lease Agreements.
- Meet with Traditional Owners on country on a regular basis to champion joint management.
- Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with joint management partners and stakeholders including Traditional Owners, Uluru-Kata Tjuta Board of Management, Mutitjulu Community and Council, Central Land Council and build and maintain effective partnerships with the tourism industry, the scientific community and Commonwealth, state and territory agencies.
- Lead and manage a large, operational, cross-cultural workforce with a strong focus on supporting staff to work effectively within the Australian Public Service framework, building capability and role-modelling agreed expectations around conduct and behaviour to maintain a mutually respectful workplace.
- Manage critical incidents on the Park including facilitation and coordination of Search and Rescue’s, road accidents and damage to property or people as a result of natural disasters.
- Manage budget and expenditure, including making joint decisions around capital and operational priorities, and ensuring compliance with requirements under the Commonwealth’s Governance and Financial legislation and frameworks.
- Provide effective leadership and management of a large number of staff and a significant budget to ensure the effective implementation of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Park Plan of Management, subsidiary strategies and lease obligations of the DNP to:
- Optimise safety management systems, ensure effective management of critical risks, and role-modelling safe work practices to ensure a safe environment for staff and visitors.
- Implement natural and cultural resource management programs, including fire management, emergency responses, feral animal and invasive weed management, and cultural heritage programs.
- Develop and maintain systems, policies and procedures for effective park management, including work health safety risks and emergency response arrangements.
- Manage infrastructure and assets, plant and equipment and visitor facilities, and oversee and support the delivery of routine maintenance as well as major capital and housing works.
- Manage visitor service and experience programs and activities, including management of visitor centres and working to optimise interpretive experiences.
- Undertake licence and permit compliance activities and oversee fee implementation.
- Deliver business management and strengthen internal governance systems to ensure compliance and enhance accountability, including provision of staff training and capability development.
- Seek and facilitate business opportunities that support park operations, increase visitor numbers, and generate new business and revenue, with a particular focus on Aboriginal enterprises and initiatives.
Remuneration – The remuneration package for this position includes housing and air conditioning subsidies and generous allowances as outlined in the DCCEEW Enterprise Agreement. This is an exceptional role and an Individual Flexibility Agreement may also be negotiated with the successful candidate.
What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
- Demonstrated understanding of issues affecting First Nations people in remote locations, and a capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of a dual World Heritage listed National Park.
- A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, particularly Anangu.
- Demonstrated experience in workforce development and improving employment outcomes for First Nations people.
- Extensive experience in the functions of managing a National Park including protected area management; managing annual work programs and budgets; visitor experience and tourism strategies; and regulatory compliance activities.
- Demonstrated experience working within the government landscape, including management of budgets and budget processes and ensuring compliance with relevant procurement and work health and safety legislation and policies.
- An understanding of Anangu, Tjukurpa culture and the Pitjantjatjara and/or Yankunytjatjara language will be highly regarded.
- Demonstrated successful and strong relationships with Indigenous communities.
Skills and capabilities
- Excellent leadership and management skills with demonstrated ability to lead, coach and mentor culturally diverse teams and build a positive, inclusive, and cohesive workplace culture.
- Highly developed planning skills, the ability to implement complex works programs and major projects and prepare management and performance reports.
- Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills including an ability to advise, consult, negotiate, manage conflict and build effective relationships with First Nations people, professionals, government agencies and other external bodies.
- Demonstrated high level financial, project management and analytical skills, focusing on delivering outputs, and the ability to apply these skills in an APS context.
- Strong prioritisation skills and the ability to make decisions in a high-pressured environment with multiple competing priorities.
- Adopts a principled approach, acts professionally and ethically, adheres to the APS Values and Code of Conduct.
The successful applicant must:
- Hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification.
- Hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.
- Note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work.
- Note that the position may require them to participate in an on-call roster (for which an appropriate restriction allowance will be paid) and be available to perform duty outside standard hours,
- Note that you will be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a working with children and vulnerable people check.
- Wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy.
- Wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.
- Note that relocation assistance is subject to negotiation.
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
Security Clearance - This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
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.
