Senior Ecologist Fauna

The Office of Nature Conservation (ONC) is a small, highly collaborative scientific and policy team within the Environment, Heritage and Water Group. We are a diverse, innovative and professional team of people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. We welcome people with experience from the community, public and private sectors and believe the more diverse our knowledge base is, the better our results will be. We value people with innovative and creative ideas, who communicate with candour and respect, and who have the motivation to drive projects from conception through to delivery. We are curious about each other’s work and always ask “who else needs to know?”

ONC promotes evidence-based management, policy and decision-making, by undertaking a range of research and monitoring programs primarily focused on ACT biodiversity, threats, and conservation/management interventions. The Senior Fauna Ecologist will provide expert advice into a wide range of Government approval, licensing, operational and planning processes; advise on and implement threatened species and ecological community recovery plans and undertaken research and monitoring on fauna in the ACT as applicable for guiding evidence-based management action. The branch works with many stakeholders both within and external to Government, so we are seeking a highly effective collaborator and communicator for this position.

With minimal direction, and in consultation with the Director, Conservation Science and Programs, Office of Nature Conservation, the Senior Ecologist Fauna will:

• Manage and provide effective leadership of the faun team program undertaking targeted scientific research and monitoring of the ACT’s fauna, including threatened species and over-abundant fauna.
• In response to management needs, generate high quality data to inform policy, guide planning and support evidence-based decision making,
• Provide high quality, timely and robust scientific advice on biodiversity conservation and fauna management in the ACT to a wide range of audiences, including government and other relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake planning and prioritisation of conservation action in relation to fauna, including threatened species and vertebrate pests, to ensure out-comes focused delivery and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Lead a small team of motivated ecologists, including directly supervising staff, and ensure work is undertaken collaboratively and in consultation with with other teams in EHW and across EPSDD more broadly.
• Manage and have oversight of the financial, operational and administrative aspects of the the Office of Nature Conservation fauna team program.
• Undertake media, communicate scientific outcomes at conferences, represent EPSDD and the ACT Government in national, regional and local forums or committees, and produce scientific technical reports and peer-reviewed journals communicating science outcomes.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key external bodies, including other ACT Government agencies, stakeholders, community organisations, interstate counterparts and with the Commonwealth.
• Undertake delegated responsibilities as a Conservation Officer pursuant to the Nature Conservation Act 2014.
• Understand and work within the ACTPS Code of Conduct and ACTPS values of respect, integrity, collaboration and innovation, and model behaviour consistent with the ACTPS Respect Equity and Diversity framework.
• Work within an Activity Based Working Environment.
• Maintain records in accordance with the Territory Records Act 2002.

Other Qualifications/Requirements

Mandatory:

• Tertiary qualifications in ecology, environmental science, natural resource management or similar field.
• At least five years' experience in ecological research/monitoring, including program management.
• A willingness to work independently in the field, outside normal hours in remote locations and in adverse weather conditions.
• Current First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain one).

Highly Desirable:

• Current Senior First Aid Certificate (or a willingness to undertake training)

Note: This is a temporary position available 29 April 2024 to 29 April 2026 with the possibility of permanency. An order of merit will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months. This position undertakes duties through a hybrid working model which includes, working from home, fieldwork and working in activity-based working (ABW) conditions. Under ABW arrangements, officers will not have a designated workstation/desk.

The ACT Public Service supports workforce diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally diverse people and those who identify as LGBTIQ are encouraged to apply.