Permits Manager
APS6
Townsville
Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full-time
Applications close Wednesday 20th August 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 a scientist/environmental impact assessment professional to join our assessments and permissions team. The team works to protect the marine park whilst providing for a range of sustainable user experiences, varying from popular tourism activities, research permissions, structures and major projects.
This position is responsible for undertaking environmental impact assessments for proposed activities within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including impact mitigation, pre-application advice, and post permit management. The position will assess applications in accordance with the relevant legislation, policies and guidelines, make recommendations and provide technical advice on the issue of permissions and related conditions. The position is also responsible for supervision of a small team, including work allocation and priorities, and provide strategic and technical advice and guidance to promote team development and succession planning.
About You
- You are a problem solver with an eye for detail and proven ability to manage competing tasks, balance conflicting priorities and meet established timeframes.
- You will be experienced in negotiation, relationship, and stakeholder management.
- You will have experience in implementing and applying relevant legislation, policy and procedures, ideally in the marine environment.
- You are resilient and enjoy being part of a collaborative team.
- You can work with limited direction, applying judgement and logic appropriately.
- You are extremely organised when working in a complex, fast-paced, office environment.
- You have proven ability in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within work groups and with external agencies or service providers.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply working knowledge, precedent and established legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines to manage, prepare and coordinate complex environmental impact assessments and permits relating to activities in the GBRMP
- Build and sustain collaborative relationships, consult and partner with internal and external stakeholders on issues relating to environmental impact assessment and management within or adjacent to the Marine Park.
- Drive the development of policies and processes to streamline decision-making, improve regulatory practice, and drive continuous improvement in the delivery of permissions systems decisions.
- Build, lead and manage a work unit to support the above duties
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sandra Garvin, Assistant Director Tourism & Commercial Assessments - Ph. (07) 4750 0767
Eligibility
The successful candidate will ideally have:
- Understanding of or an ability to rapidly acquire an understanding of environmental and marine protected area management, application of legislation and environmental impact assessments.
- Tertiary qualifications (or equivalent experience) in natural resource management and/or a related discipline such as marine science, marine ecology, engineering or similar.
- Knowledge of the multiple uses of, and the management framework for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
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.
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: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
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 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.