Assistant Director Marine Monitoring Program

Townsville, Cairns, Canberra

23 June 2025 – 15 May 2026; Full-time; Non-ongoing

Applications close Sunday 15 June, 2025

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 an enthusiastic, outcomes-focussed Assistant Director to join our Science for Management section. You will lead a small team managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program (the Program). The Program reports on the health of inshore coral, seagrass and water quality every year, and has done so for over 15 years.

As team leader, you will be responsible for supporting the Authority’s contributions to, and use of, ecosystem health information – particularly in relation to the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program, Corporate Plan, and the whole-of-government Integrated Paddock to Reef Monitoring Program and Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan. This includes interpretation and synthesis of marine monitoring results in a Reef management context and clearly communicating results, key issues and opportunities across relevant topic areas.

This position will also coordinate and provide high-level professional advice to Senior Management and government on ecosystem condition and trend and help identify opportunities to improve resilience-based management of key habitats. We are seeking an individual who can multi-task, provide objective advice and connect with a wide range of audiences through clear and concise written and oral communication. The ideal candidate will be an effective leader with strong program coordination skills.

About You

• You are a natural problem solver, a doer and are known for seeing things through.
• You can prioritise and align strategic and operational activities to complete tasks on time and to a high standard.
• You are outcomes-focussed and enjoy being part of a cohesive team.
• You are an excellent communicator with experience in evidence-based interpretation and synthesis of science for natural resource management, ideally for the Great Barrier Reef or other marine environments.
• You will have excellent negotiation skills and proven ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders, particularly in science and protected area management contexts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Marine Monitoring Program in partnership with scientists and protected area managers, including the development of effective and innovative reporting and communication products.
• Review, analyse, interpret and synthesise relevant data and scientific reports on ecosystem health to inform catchment and marine park management.
• Report and provide expert advice to senior management on ecosystem resilience, risks to the Reef, and implementation of relevant programs including Reef water quality improvement programs and the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting program (particularly regarding monitoring results and management guidance).
• Engage, consult and collaborate with partners in the Marine Monitoring Program and internal and external stakeholders (including government, scientists, community and Traditional Owners) to support the delivery of the Reef Authority’s objectives and priorities.
• Plan, lead and manage projects to a high standard (including delivering within budget, to deadlines, with appropriate risk management) and contribute to Reef-related policy, strategies and plans.
• Contribute to leadership across the Reef Authority and supervision and development of staff.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Chloe Schauble, Director Science for Management, Ph. 0467 159 617

Eligibility

• The successful candidate will have tertiary qualifications, or equivalent research or management experience, in a field associated with marine ecology and/or marine park management.
• 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.

If you're passionate about ecosystem health, strategic leadership, and translating science into action, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Great Barrier Reef. Apply now to help shape the future of reef resilience and marine park management.