Gamba Program Coordinator - Kakadu National Park

• Lead Kakadu’s gamba grass eradication and protect a World Heritage park
• Manage staff, contractor, Traditional Owners and key partners
• Drive weed monitoring, mapping, prevention and on-ground outcomes

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.

Kakadu National Park is a world-heritage listed site for its natural and cultural values, and 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. In addition to ongoing management of the park’s natural and cultural heritage, this branch also manages strategic priorities for Parks Australia, managing a range of strategic planning and major capital projects across the three jointly managed parks.

The Country Section is responsible for the protection of the Kakadu National Park’s biodiversity assets and natural values. The section does this by providing strategic advice and support to the operations section on fire, feral and weed management, managing Country through a significant fire programme; implementing and assisting significant species projects; responding to the threat of climate change; data and knowledge management; and planning. The section is an important part of creating an inclusive cross-cultural working environment.

The Job

Under the limited supervision from the Manager of the Country Section and in accordance with the Lease Agreement, Kakadu Plan of Management and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) implement targeted treatment and monitoring actions for gamba grass across Kakadu National Park following the KNP Gamba Grass Eradication Plan 2022-2026 (The Plan). The duties will include: 

• coordinating the implementation, monitoring and reporting of a comprehensive weed eradication plan, including using the MERIT system to achieve the objectives set out in The Plan, 
• leading the preparation and implementation of overarching operational plans and works plans focused on each of the management areas in The Plan, especially gamba surveys, gamba treatment, and weed spread prevention activities, 
• contribute to increased coordination and planning for other grassy weed surveys, treatment and prevention,
• planning and coordinating dedicated project staff, other KNP staff, Djurrubu rangers (where required), contractors and volunteers, including submission of timesheets, 
• overseeing data collection, validation and analysis for the production of maps and summary reports, and to monitor treatment effectiveness, weed spread/invasion pathways, and change in gamba extent, 
• leading the preparation and delivery of a weed spread prevention plan, involving delivery of a communication campaign focused on weed identification, reporting, and improved weed hygiene,
• assisting with the preparation and implementation of agreements with industry (e.g., graziers), government (e.g., roads and transport) and other stakeholders (e.g., park neighbours), to encourage the adoption of best practice weed spread measures, 
• participation in weed inspections of vehicles and other equipment and facilities inside and outside the park, 
• leading the procurement and management of contracts (e.g., helicopter services, weed control contractors, workshop facilitators), 
• leading the communication of progress and issues to key stakeholders including the project working group, funding body, Traditional Owners, Parks Staff and Kakadu community, and other interested groups, 
• consulting and liaising with Aboriginal Traditional Owners, park staff, scientists, contractors, and other internal and external stakeholders on gamba grass best practice monitoring and management, 
• providing supervision, training and mentoring to staff in a cross-cultural environment and in periods of change in accordance with the Australian Public Service policies and guidelines, 
• supporting the implementation of the principles of joint management with Aboriginal Traditional Owners and staff and contribute to the development of an effective cross-cultural workplace, 
• implementing the Department’s Risk Management Policy to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.