PN923 Senior Policy Officer, APS6
Townsville
Non-ongoing - Specified term to 24 December 2026; Full-time
Applications close Sunday 7 December 2025, 11:59pm AEST
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) is a Commonwealth non-corporate entity, and a statutory agency established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Marine Park Act), reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Water. Our objective is the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international community through the care and development of the Marine Park.
Managing a reef roughly the size of Italy demands many skills and talents, so you don't have to be a marine biologist to contribute to our mission. From finance to marketing roles, we have a team almost as diverse as the ecosystem we protect. Our commitment and dedication to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian public have a long-lasting impact, and we are looking for individuals who can bring their unique skills, experience, and knowledge to our high-performing and inclusive organisation.
The Position
We are seeking a natural resource management or government policy or spatial planning professional to join our team. You will help develop and implement Marine Park / marine protected area policies and marine spatial plans under limited direction with reasonable autonomy and accountability.
As part of the planning team, you will provide high level support and technical advice on Marine Park planning matters and assist with the development and amendment of management plans and strategies for the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This role may have a considerable level of public contact in relation to difficult or sensitive issues and may liaise with a range of stakeholders in a representational capacity.
You will be a team player, working closely and collaboratively with other areas of the Reef Authority, the Australian and Queensland government’s Reef Joint Field Management Program, Traditional Owners and other State and Commonwealth government partner agencies as well as a diverse network of stakeholders.
About You
- You have experience in the development and application of policy and/or spatial planning management, ideally in an environmental management / marine protected area context.
- You will have excellent communication, relationship and stakeholder management skills and enjoy being part of a cohesive team.
- You understand the need for exploring innovative policy and regulatory solutions while appreciating the reasons for existing policy and legislation.
- You thrive under pressure, have an eye for detail, and don’t get flustered when faced with competing priorities.
- You seek to work collaboratively and are committed to seeing things through, and can prioritise and align operational activities to organisational objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide project management skills that support successful outcomes and delivery in a strategic but dynamic environment, with the application of knowledge and compliance with legislative, financial and administrative frameworks, government decision-making processes, and agency guidelines and regulations.
- Develop and implement spatial management strategies, policies and enabling legislation that provide for the long-term protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef as well as allowing for ecologically sustainable use.
- Work collaboratively to achieve Reef Authority goals by engaging effectively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve Reef Authority goals on strategic concepts, including with Queensland Government agencies to ensure alignment with joint permitting and joint field management arrangements.
- Manage a small team of staff to deliver on the strategic objectives of the Marine Park Policy and Planning section.
- Advise on the application of Marine Park legislation, plans, policies and procedures and prepare high quality written material and reports, including the provision of expert, timely, practical, transparent and risk-based advice to management.
- Actively participate, as part of a committed team member, to the work of the Policy and Planning Section, including contributing to delivering the broader Reef Authority’s corporate objectives.
- Be responsible for managing work priorities and monitoring progress to achieve results, demonstrating the ability to be agile and responsive to changing requirements.
Desirable qualifications or equivalent experience
- Experience or relevant tertiary qualifications in natural resource management, policy and/or planning.
- Knowledge of the multiple uses of, and the management framework for, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.
- Hold and maintain a current unrestricted Australian driver’s licence.
- Have the ability to travel – sometimes overnight or for multiple days.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jana Hazelman, Assistant Director Marine Park Policy, Ph. 0499 643 434
Eligibility
To be eligible for employment candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.
The position requires a Baseline security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.
How to apply
Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.
You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.
Please prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:
- how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.
- any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
- how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.
When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.
Please complete your application online and provide:
- your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).
- proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
- a current curriculum vitae (resume)
Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Excellent Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.
PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.
Notes
The current position is non-ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.
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 job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
Eligibility
Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:
- Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
- Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
- Evidence of citizenship status.
- Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
- Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
- The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.
- The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.