Technical Officer

Who we areAustralia’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.The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes:

• Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia
• Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving
• Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans
• Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants
• Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes
• Facilitating research and science capacity building and education
• Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation
• Regulatory compliance, operational frameworks and capability support for the use of drones across the Department

The Conservation Science Section has been newly established in the branch and includes the National Seed Bank (NSB) at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The NSB team are building a unique collection of Australian native seeds for conservation and research. Currently we have approximately 7,700 collections of almost 4,000 species secured in our collection, including 140 threatened species listed under the EPBC Act. The Technical Officer will work with the Seed Testing Manager to undertake viability monitoring and germination testing of these collections, analysis of results and provide input and technical support for conservation research projects.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply. We recognise the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in our workplace. We aim to attract, recruit and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Our priority is to ensure a safe workplace where we celebrate all cultures.The Job

• Maintain and assess long-term conservation seed collections to help protect species and to contribute new research.
• Collaboratively plan and carry out quality assessment of new collections and viability monitoring of banked seed collections.
• Deliver conservation and/or research projects to meet the conservation priorities of Parks Australia and the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
• Design, conduct, analyse data and interpret results of experiments investigating the viability, germination requirements, dormancy, storage behaviour and longevity of a broad range of native flora.
• Prepare clearly structured and concise written reports, technical publications, and oral presentations, for internal and external audiences.
• Enter and maintain germination test data in an accurate and timely manner, in various formats including the ANBG’s electronic database.
• Under supervision, management of a seed biology laboratory including maintaining stock, safety documentation and laboratory protocols.
• Train and supervise volunteers, students and staff in seed bank experimental and laboratory methods, as required.
• Contribute to public and scientific communications to build seed bank profile.

What we are looking forKnowledge and experience

• Plant research experience is required for this position, with seed testing/banking experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing relevant literature and designing, conducting, analysing and interpreting results of plant based and/or biological experiments.
• Experience handling data in accurate and efficient ways to enable analysis and produce visual presentations that convey key results.

Skills and capabilities

• Ability to collaboratively plan project work, plan and execute own work tasks to deliver projects to completion, and contribute to work area planning to meet organisational needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly in a scientific written format; and to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse range of colleagues at different levels, from different backgrounds and geographically disparate workplaces via oral and written communication methods.
• Ability to maintain a well-stocked, safe and tidy laboratory working environment and coordinate laboratory use during busy periods.

The successful applicant must:

• Wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.

Desirable qualifications

• Bachelor of Science.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Eligibility and other requirementsCitizenship - 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. nrmjobs.com.au/job/20021494Date published:10-Apr-2024Closing date:01-May-2024