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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

What it does: Responsible for the protection and care of the reef. They work with a wide variety of partners, supporters and advisors with the aim of conserving the reef for future generations.

Mission: To provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity through the care and development of the marine park.

Size and presence: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park covers 344,400 km2 in area. includes the world's largest coral reef ecosystem. includes some 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands.

Best known for: It is the largest and best known coral reef ecosystem in the world.

The good bits: The company provides an inclusive and diverse environment where different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are valued. Working hours are flexible and support work/life balance.

The not so good bits: Sometimes to cut costs, the company carries out downsizing activities.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority story

We are Australia’s lead management agency for the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most iconic natural areas.

We've provided world-leading marine park management since 1975. We are a strong, efficient and agile natural resource regulator entrusted by Australia with the responsibility of managing the natural wonder that is the Marine Park.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 guides our management and the best available science to protect values, reduce threats, and improve the current and long-term outlook for the Reef and the communities that depend on it.

We work together with Traditional Owners, other Australian and Queensland government agencies, industry, community organisations, and individuals to help achieve protect and manage the Reef.

Our main office is in Townsville, and there are regional offices in Cairns, Mackay, Yeppoon and Brisbane to keep a close connection with those communities, and our Canberra office provides ministerial and parliamentary liaison to the Department of Environment portfolio and other Australian Government agencies

We report to the Australian Government Environment Minister.

Our Board oversees the agency, which is structured into three main Branches: Corporate Services, Reef Protection, and Strategic Policy and Partnerships.

We want people to see the Reef, love the Reef, protect the Reef.

Culture & vibe

The Great Barrier Reef is a global icon and an integral part of Australia’s national identity. The Great Barrier Reef is a vast and spectacular ecosystem and one of the most complex natural systems on Earth.

When you choose to work for us, you join a team of passionate people and make a commitment to ensure the Great Barrier Reef is ecological, social and economic value is available for generations to come.

Recruitment process

The below information will help to advise and assist you in preparing your application, and should be read in conjunction with: the position description, that includes details of the duties and the selection criteria that will be used to assess applicants claims, and the applicant details form.

Completing and lodging your application

Your application must contain the following:

  • completed applicant details form
  • A statement of claims against the selection criteria as this is an essential part of your application or as described in the Position Description. It should provide examples of your relevant skills, capabilities, experience and qualifications to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria. Applications that fail to address the selection criteria will generally not be considered by the selection advisory committee
  • A current résumé
  • Please ensure you read the Position description carefully, as it will give specific details on who is eligible to apply, what your application must include and how to apply.

What you should do

  • Check you are eligible for engagement. Refer to Eligibility for further information.
  • If you have received a redundancy payment in the last 12 months from the Australian Public Service (APS) agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer, make sure you are outside your redundancy payment period.
  • Carefully read the position description and other documentation provided.
  • Ring the contact officer if you have any enquiries including the particulars of the position, the proposed selection process, the work environment and any other questions you may have relating to the position.
  • If you are new to the Australian Public Service check the Recruitment and Movement page on the APSC website.
  • Read the Cracking the code page on the APSC website – this page contains tips and hints on applying for jobs in the APS.

What you shouldn't do

Don't forget to include all relevant documentation for the position including:

  • Proof of any mandatory qualifications required for the position
  • Proof of a security clearance if required for the position.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, an applicant must be an Australian citizen, at the time of applying for the vacancy. An applicant's suitability for employment with the authority will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process.

This process includes a requirement for the applicant to undergo and satisfy a police history check, referee checks, character clearance and where relevant a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and/or a period of 3 months' probation. An applicant must also be willing and eligible to undergo and maintain an Australian Government security clearance to the appropriate level if applied to the advertised position.

Closing date

The closing time unless stated otherwise for all applications is 11.59pm AEST on the advertised closing date.

You need to ensure that your application is completed and submitted before the closing time.

Late applications will only be accepted at the discretion of the convener of the selection advisory committee – justifications for extensions would need to be provided.

Career prospects

We seek experienced, outcomes-focused, user research specialists to work with us. The following make our corporate environment a great place for growing your future career prospects.

  • A high performance culture
  • Regular performance discussion agreements with supervisor and regular reviews
  • A results driven environment, working with friendly and respectful people
  • Access to training and career development programs within Marine Park Authority, including study assistance
  • Recognition for results and achievements through annual Australia Day awards

Remuneration

The average Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority salary ranges from approximately $66,106 per year for Project Officer to $128,775 per year for Environmental Protection Agent.

Salary information comes from 224 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

Benefits

Leave & holidays
✅ 26 days of annual leave
✅ Bonus parental leave
✅ Paid leave between Christmas and New Year

Finance & contract
✅  Permanent employee
✅  Signing bonus
✅  Annual bonus
✅  Competitive remuneration

Flexible work
⛔  Full remote work
✅  Partial remote work
✅  Flexible working hours

Family & health
⛔  Child care
✅  Free gym
⛔  Pet friendly office
✅  Mental health days

Insurance
⛔  Hospital
⛔  Outpatient
⛔  Dental
⛔  Maternity

Perks
✅  Training and career development programs
⛔  Free lunch
✅  Free tea & coffee
✅  Free snacks
✅  Free dinner

Social Contributions

The Great Barrier Reef contributed $6.4 billion in value added and over 64,000 jobs to the Australian economy in 2015–16. The company is well aware of its corporate social responsibility.

Controversies

In October 2014, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority claimed that they did not have the expertise to protect the reef when jobs go because of budget cuts, a leading scientist has warned.

Five senior directors were among 17 key staff who will take voluntary redundancies in the wake of an internal restructure and a $2.8 million Federal Government cut.

Charlie Veron, former chief scientist at Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), said the future was hard to picture for the organisation which was once considered a guardian of the marine park and world heritage area.

Some of the staff who were leaving have cited a lack of moral in the organisation since it controversially decided to allow the dumping of three million cubic metres of dredge spoil from Abbot Point into the marine park.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
S
Sciences