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. The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes: Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia - in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation's largest living collection of native plants Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes Facilitating research and science capacity building and education Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation The Conservation Science section, which has been recently established in the branch, facilitates and supports innovative, cross-disciplinary research to inform management of the Commonwealth parks and gardens, to achieve outcomes for conservation and community, and to contribute to the national nature positive conversation. The section includes marine and terrestrial conservation scientists working together on complex, real-world problems that realise the potential for the parks and gardens to build conservation knowledge for Australia. The Conservation Science Section includes the National Seed Bank at the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG). The National Seed Bank team contributes to conservation of threatened plant species by sourcing, collecting and storing wild seeds, and conducting research on seed germination requirements, dormancy, longevity in storage and reproductive ecology. As a result, the National Seed Bank contains a unique collection of seeds and other germplasm (such as spore) of native plant species from all over Australia - approximately 8,000 collections of almost 4,000 species. These scientific collections are associated with data such as provenance, propagation and lineage history, seed research, curated images, and verified herbarium specimens, and are integrated with wider plant conservation and research conducted at the ANBG. With combined expertise in botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture, the ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic national plant conservation solutions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply. We recognise the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play in our workplace. We aim to attract, recruit and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Our priority is to ensure a safe workplace where we celebrate all cultures. The key duties of the position include The National Seed Bank Manager directs the National Seed Bank's conservation and research programs and resources, oversees a team of trained specialists, students and skilled volunteers who work collaboratively on research projects with internal and external partners, and coordinates the ongoing curation of the seed collection and operations of a national facility. The National Seed Bank Manager, with the other members of the National Seed Bank team, is based at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. Duties of the role include: Leading, managing, mentoring and building the capability of the National Seed Bank team, applying science leadership and management skills to: Oversee the direction of the seed banking program and facilities, Supervise staff and students in collaborative collecting and research projects, Facilitate the preparation and publication of technical reports and peer-reviewed scientific papers, Present information at relevant meetings and conferences. Working with the extended leadership team to build a shared sense of purpose and direction within the branch and Conservation Science section and deliver Director of National Parks outcomes. Developing and monitoring the strategic direction and goals of the National Seed Bank to ensure it meets both current and emerging conservation challenges and the operational and research needs of a national institution. Preparing grant and funding proposals to secure resources to support the scientific research and conservation activities of the National Seed Bank and Parks Australia, as well as collaborations across Parks Australia science teams. Representing Parks Australia and establishing and managing stakeholder relationships to: Initiate collaborations that attract and leverage external contributions for projects in priority areas, Maintain the National Seed Bank's position in the Australian Seed Bank Partnership and international seed banking and research community, Proactively address the plant conservation needs of Parks Australia, and State and Territory Governments.
