Assistant Director Compliance Investigations
EL1
Cairns, Townsville, Airlie Beach or Gladstone
Ongoing/Non-ongoing; 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
The Assistant Director Compliance Investigations plays an important role in protecting the values and integrity of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), through the application of best practice compliance management, to meet legislative obligations.
This position is a part of the Reef Joint Field Management Program (RJFMP) for the GBRWHA to assist in administering and coordinating the cooperative arrangements between the Australian and Queensland Governments. The Australian and Queensland Governments jointly fund and manage the Program.
The position is based within the Reef Authority's Field Management Program, staffed by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). This area includes an Operations section which delivers a coordinated compliance program and undertakes key functions, including investigation and field operations. Field activities are delivered across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth, including Commonwealth islands), the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State) and island National Parks (State), which are part of the World Heritage Area.
About You
* You have knowledge and understanding of contemporary compliance risk and enforcement strategies relevant to marine protected areas.
* You have knowledge of the application of legislation including native title legislation and provisions relevant to marine parks.
* You have a proven track record in negotiating successfully with partner agencies, stakeholders, and client groups.
* You are an effective communicator who recognises the ideas and contributions of others.
* You have well developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, and enjoy working as part of a small cohesive team.
* You are highly motivated and results driven.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide leadership, coordination and supervision to the Reef Authority's team of investigators to prioritise, monitor and manage their caseloads to ensure timely and appropriate compliance recommendations for finalising cases.
* Oversee high-level investigations of offences against Great Barrier Reef Marine Park legislation, providing quality assurance for Briefs of Evidence for prosecution action, and participate in multi-agency investigations teams as a part of responding to major incidents that occur in the GBRWHA.
* Participate as a member of the Compliance Operations Group to review and advise on the performance of the investigations function and how this relates to the compliance program meeting its objectives.
* Provide high-level advice to Senior Managers, Executive Management, legal advisers and prosecutors regarding investigations and prosecutions.
* Manage the development, implementation, review and continuous improvement of policies, strategies, standards, procedures, guidelines and systems that underpin the investigation and prosecution approach of the Reef Authority and the Field Management Compliance Program.
* Coordinate and deliver compliance training to all Reef Authority Inspectors on an annual basis.
Desirable qualifications and equivalent experience
* Experience in investigation activities within law enforcement, compliance or regulatory agencies.
* Certificate IV in Government Investigations or a Diploma of Government Investigations or equivalent.
For more information about this opportunity, please contactChris Cochrane, Director – Field Management Operations,
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:
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 Great 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 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:
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.