Visitor Experience Team Leader (Affirmative Measures - Indigenous)

The Visitor Experience Team Leader position at the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is based in Booderee National Park, Tasmania. This APS 6 role involves team leadership, coordinating visitor services, and engaging with the local Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. The position emphasizes business improvement strategies and risk management, and is specifically open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants as an affirmative measure.
• APS 6 - $95,438 - $108,360 per annum plus superannuation
• Parks Australia Division
• Booderee National Park
• This role fulfils a team leadership position and is accountable to perform and coordinate complex visitor services activities and outcomes under limited direction
• You will be expected, with guidance & support by your supervisor, to set priorities for the work area, contribute to and coordinate business improvement strategies within the Visitor Experience & Administration team functions, monitor emerging issues, anticipate problems, conduct risk management activities, recommend solutions and manage change in workplace practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the local Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, a demonstrated capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of Booderee National Park and experience developing and supporting relationships based on mutual trust, respect and consideration of values and culture.

Affirmative measure employment
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Who we are
Australia’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.

Booderee National Park, with its coastal habitats is one of three national parks, leased by their Aboriginal owners to the Director of National Parks, and jointly managed by Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. In addition to ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage, this branch also looks after Parks Australia’s corporate services from the office in Canberra including, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Customer Experience and Destination Planning. Beyond the spinifex sand plains of arid central Australia lies Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, one of three national parks leased by their Aboriginal owners to the Director of National Parks, and jointly managed by Traditional Owners and Parks Australia. Parks Australia assists with ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage. This branch also manages a rich and fascinating range of island ecosystems and habitats, including oceanic Pulu Keeling, Norfolk and Christmas Island National Parks.

The Visitor's Services Team is the 'Face of Booderee', this unit is responsible for the safety, efficient management and quiet enjoyment of the facilities by visitors while on park. It consists mainly of indigenous employees, many of whom are Traditional Owners of the land on which Booderee National Park is located. This creates a unique and passionate workforce who are motivated to ensure that the outcomes for our guests are positive ones while protecting the environment for generations to come.

For more information about us please visit our website.

The job
• Leading a team, including mentoring, supporting and guiding junior staff involved in visitor experience, visitor centre, ranger and compliance activities.
• Building relationships and working in partnership with key stakeholders – in particular WBACC representatives, SLA managers, Caring for Country Rangers, the AFP, Tourism Industry representatives and Commercial Tour Operators.
• Oversee financial reporting and compliance with all policies and Chief Executive Instructions (CEI’s).
• Oversee the management and maintenance of the eCommerce and RMS booking systems in consultation with relevant staff.
• Supervise and guide Visitor Centre / Visitor Experience staff and operations and engage and monitor the Entry Station team operations.
• Develop, coordinate and report on Visitor Experience team operational work plans.
• Oversee, manage and guide the APS 4 Educational and Interpretations Coordinator and the Parks social media and website content for visitors.
• Coordinate the Education and Interpretation Committees agenda, minutes and actions.
• Oversee the development & reporting of visitor education, information and interpretive services, visitor monitoring and visitor surveys.
• Oversee the development of compliance strategies and the preparation, analysis and reporting on statistics about compliance activities, incident reporting and any follow up actions.
• Engage with the compliance team to manage leakage reporting.
• Coordinate the VE rosters in consultation with affected staff (and their managers and supervisors if appropriate).
• Oversee, manage and guide the APS 5 Permit and Licensing Coordinator.
• Coordinate the processing of commercial tour operator, diving and film permits and all licence agreement applications for Park Manager approvals and liaise with applicants.
• Coordinate the management of all other commercial permit applications and small event permit applications (including weddings).
• As part of the larger BNP team, participate in environmental management programs and emergency management responses including fire and evacuation, and compliance and enforcement operations.
• This role will also be required to provide support to visitor services & campground management in peak seasons.
• Work with a range of responsibilities that includes coordinating, supervising and performing work across a range of natural and cultural heritage, regulatory/compliance, business and operational functions within a National Park.
• You will be expected, with guidance & support by your supervisor, to set priorities for the work area, contribute to and coordinate business improvement strategies within the Visitor Experience & Administration team functions, monitor emerging issues, anticipate problems, conduct risk management activities, recommend solutions and manage change in workplace practices.
• Develop, coordinate and report on works programs, and participate in the development, monitoring and evaluation of staff personal development plans.
• Support staff in learning and development opportunities and performance.
• Plan for and participate in WHS, risk management, workplace participation and diversity programs, fire, and emergency and compliance operations. Undertake Park operations and report as required in accordance with Management Plan, Lease, Code of Conduct relevant policies and guidelines.
• Adhere to all corporate requirements including but not limited to; Parks Australia Chief Executive Instructions, WH&S, budget, risk and procurement management and project delivery.
• Share the Traditional Owner’s vision for the future of the park and participate in the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, the community and public

What you’ll gain from the experience
The opportunity to engage and work with First Nations peoples and develop appropriate and sensitive management skills in one of the most picturesque work environments in the public service.

What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
• knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the local Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and a demonstrated capacity to contribute sensitively and effectively to the joint management of Booderee National Park.
• Experience developing and supporting relationships based on mutual trust, respect and consideration of values and culture.
• Experience in working with Indigenous communities to collaboratively solve problems of cultural significance and/or visitor management significance to develop longer term management strategies. Experience in visitor and tourism management.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising staff and managing budgets, contracts and works programs.
• Demonstrated experience in fire and emergency responses, law enforcement and compliance activities and the delivery of interpretive walks and talks.

Additional requirements
• hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification,
• hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle,
• meet physical fitness minimum standards to undertake work within the role including firefighting as needed,
• note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
• note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses,
• the ability to obtain and maintain a working with children and vulnerable people check.

Eligibility and other requirements
Mandatory qualifications
• Hold, or be able to obtain a Rangers or Wardens certification (to enforce the EPBC act and reg's.

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Pre-employment checks - 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.