Senior Geophysicist (Active Seismic)

Geoscience Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cultures, and to elders past and present.

About us

Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national-scale Earth observation infrastructure and our strong partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

What we can offer you

When you work at Geoscience Australia you will have access to a range of benefits and the opportunity to experience a workplace culture that truly values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. To learn more about our competitive salary, free onsite parking, generous flexible working arrangements and the role you can play in growing our culture click here.

Our team

At Geoscience Australia, we are passionate about improving the lives of Australians by exploring our country’s rich and deep geological history to answer current and future geoscience challenges. Our understanding of this ancient continent builds on the knowledge of Country held by our nation’s original miners, mappers and navigators. Today, we are recruiting to bring onboard the next generation of innovators, scientists and advisors to deliver on national priorities.

The Minerals, Energy and Groundwater (MEG) Division acquires, analyses and delivers precompetitive data, information, tools and new thinking to support the sustainable development of Australia’s minerals, energy and groundwater resources. We provide authoritative and independent technical advice to the Australian Government and promote the responsible development of Australia’s natural resources.

Within MEG we seek to:

• Enable our technological and renewable energy future, with precompetitive geoscience programs to support a pipeline of critical minerals discoveries.
• Lead Australia’s low-emissions future by proving up large-scale carbon abatement strategies including green hydrogen, green metals and carbon, capture and storage.
• Secure a sustainable future for Australia’s groundwater resources through basin assessments and regional groundwater studies using a consistent national framework.

We want you to join our diverse and high-performing teams and grow your career with Geoscience Australia.

For more information on how we are applying Earth science for Australia’s future, check out our website.

The role

This role, in the Onshore Seismic and Magnetotelluric Section, will play an important part in leading and managing the Active Seismic team to support Geoscience Australia’s geophysical work program, positioning government and industry to meet national challenges today and in the future.

You will manage a small team of 1-2 staff to deliver targeted, innovative and streamlined precompetitive seismic data and information required to support project teams and improve the understanding of mineral, energy and groundwater resources across Australia. You will work with the Director, Onshore Seismic and Magnetotelluric and team, to contribute to the development of a new strategic direction for Onshore Seismic and Magnetotelluric studies that is supported across government.

You will engage with stakeholders to ensure that precompetitive and baseline data and information is available to reduce exploration and investment risks for industry and to inform decision-making by government, communities and industry. Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, strong decision making ability and attention to detail are equally important. Some travel to state and territory geological surveys and remote project sites may be required.

Do you have a passion for geophysics and seismology? Are you excited about working collaboratively with other technical experts to drive innovation and deliver seismic data to improve the understanding of mineral, energy and groundwater resources across Australia? If you have capabilities, experience, and qualifications that contribute to the priorities of the MEG Division, then we want to hear from you, whether you are joining us from university, the private sector or government.

In this role you will:

• lead the Active Seismic team to support delivery of Geoscience Australia’s geophysical work program
• manage the use of specialist project service providers, including contractors and consultants
• provide expert technical, professional and specialist expertise in various geophysical methods including Active Seismic at a variety of scales
• provide specialist and professional geophysical advice and manage a small team of like-minded professionals
• build strong collaborative relationships and open lines of communication with a wide range of stakeholders in government, industry and academia to promote and advance our precompetitive resource studies
• oversee and prepare high level technical/professional reports and presentations to deliver precompetitive information to stakeholders
• maintain professional knowledge and continue to deepen knowledge and expertise in various geophysical methods
• work collaboratively with the Director, Onshore Seismic and Magnetotellurics and contribute as a proactive member of the branch’s senior leadership team as needed.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Have experience managing professional and technically focussed multi-disciplinary teams including setting team priorities.
• Possess excellent communication and collaboration skills, with ability to develop and manage a range of stakeholder relationships to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate cooperation.
• Be committed to continual learning in the areas of science, stakeholder management, inclusive culture and data management.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge in geophysics - seismology, including some or all of the following – Active Seismic data acquisition, data processing using modern applications and software, or programming.
• An ability to undertake occasional field work in remote areas in Australia
• Expertise in deep crustal reflection seismic data acquisition and processing is highly desirable.
• Recognised tertiary qualifications in geophysics or related field would be considered an advantage.

Are you unsure about applying?

Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

Please visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e-Recruit system. Your application should include:

• Your resume (no more than 3 pages)
• A brief statement (no more than 700 words) outlining your transferable skills, experience and capabilities related to the role and the value you would bring to Geoscience Australia.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Donna Cathro on (02) 6249 9*** or email ************@ga.gov.au

To learn more about applying for roles within the Australian Public Services please review, ‘Applying for an APS job: cracking the code’.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677, and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment team on 02 6249 9*** in order to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call Human Resources on (02) 6249 9*** or email **@ga.gov.au.

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.