[NHCOLL-L:704] Position: Director, Australian Biological Resources Study

[Jim Croft]

Please draw this advertisement to the attention of interested colleagues:

Environment Australia
Department of the Environment and Heritage

Position Profile

Position Number: 10378	Date Approved: 8 May 2000
Designation: Executive Level 2
Title: Director
Group/Division:	Biodiversity Group
Branch: Natural Heritage Trust and Biodiversity Policy Branch
Section: Australian Biological Resources Study
Location: ACT, Australia
Supervisor: Assistant Secretary, NHT and Biodiversity Policy Branch

DUTY STATEMENT

1. Oversee and provide leadership for the day to day operations of the 
ABRS, including the  research program and training activities, the 
Australian Biodiversity Information Facility (ABIF), and community 
information initiatives.

2. Provide advice on policy and program matters related to the functions of 
the Branch, Group and Department as required.

3. Ensure full support and assistance to the ABRS Advisory Committee in its 
deliberations, acting as the executive secretary to that body.

4. Liaise with stakeholders, client groups, private sector interests etc. 
in achieving the goals of the ABRS and, as appropriate, pursue partnership 
opportunities with these sectors.

5. Represent the ABRS, and its sub-programs, and undertake liaison and 
negotiations on their behalf.

6.	Act as the Australian Focal Point for the Global Taxonomy Initiative, 
and undertake other international activities of direct relevance to the 
work of ABRS, ABIF, etc.

Duty representing highest function: 1

SELECTION CRITERIA

In order of importance:

1. High level management capacity, including skills in strategic planning, 
people management, Australian Government processes, achievement 
orientation, and social justice principles such as occupational health and 
safety, workplace diversity and workplace participation.

2. Relevant scientific skills, knowledge and/or experience, including the 
capacity to apply these in novel situations, and the ability to acquire new 
skills and knowledge as part of the work experience.  Qualifications in a 
relevant scientific discipline with experience in the delivery of taxonomic 
information and its application within a range of contexts will constitute 
an advantage.

3. Experience with forging partnerships and co-funding arrangements, and in 
working with and delivering information to a range of sectors and 
stakeholders, especially through electronic means.

4. Demonstrated high level skills in policy and program development and 
implementation, and a proven capacity for leading and promoting innovative 
approaches to problem solving.

5. Highly developed communication, representational and interpersonal 
skills, including negotiation, liaison and conflict resolution.

Note: Applications will not be acknowledged on receipt.  Only shortlisted 
applicants will be contacted regarding the next phase in the selection process.

Applications should be forwarded to:

Bill Phillips
Australian Biological Resources Study
Environment Australia
PO Box 787
CANBERRA  ACT  2601


Information To Assist Applicant's Compile Their Application

Eligibility to Apply for a Position

. To be eligible to apply for vacancies with the Environment Australia you 
must be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status and be 
eligible and willing to obtain Australian citizenship within two years of 
being engaged.

The Basis for Selecting Staff

. The selection of staff for the Environment Australia is based on the 
relative merit of the applicants in relation to the specified selection 
criteria.

. It is essential that you specifically address each of the selection 
criteria for a position. The information you provide in your application 
must be clear and concise as it will be the basis for the selection of 
applicants.

. Environment Australia uses a streamlined recruitment process, using a 
very rigorous shortlisting process and offers selection panels a number of 
different assessment procedures, including being able to contact referees 
prior to assessment, making an assessment based on application and referee 
input alone, or conducting interviews and/or examining work samples and/or 
conducting performance tests (written and/or practical).

. As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, our aim is to ensure 
that fair consideration is given to all applicants. So that Selection 
Committees can be appropriately structured and adequately able to consider 
the claims of people from designated EEO groups, applicants may wish to 
indicate if they are from a particular group in their application. 
Designated groups are: Women; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; 
people from non-English speaking backgrounds and people who have a disability.

. Applications must be received prior to the closing date. Should you be 
unable to meet that deadline, you must notify the nominated contact officer 
and seek agreement to submitting a late application. In this situation you 
should at least submit an expression of interest (this can be faxed, so 
please obtain the fax number when speaking to contact officer) by the 
closing date and then forward a full application by mail.

What should your application include?

. a covering letter which includes:
   - the title and position number of the position you are applying for;
   - details of where and how you can be contacted during business hours 
(9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday); and
   - a brief summary (no more than a paragraph) of your suitability for the 
position;
. your claims against each selection criterion, clearly set out using each 
selection criterion as a heading and followed by a brief summary of how 
your experience, knowledge, skills and qualifications relate to each 
selection criterion; and
. a current curriculum vitae which includes:
   - your full name;
   - address;
   - contact telephone numbers;
   - citizenship;
   - work experience starting from the present and working to the past; and
   - qualifications and membership of professional organisations

What about referee reports?

. Please do not provide referee reports at this stage.

. The selection committee will only seek referee reports for the top 
candidates for a position after the interviews have been conducted, or 
during the shortlisting process if they are having difficulty deciding if 
an applicant should be selected for interview. It is in your interest to 
notify any intended referees that you have nominated them. Environment 
Australia is using verbal referee reports in a lot of cases.

How should you present your application?

. How you present your application is your personal choice but you are 
advised to stay within the following guidelines:

. typed (minimum font size 12) or neatly hand written (black ink);
. clearly laid out and well spaced; and
. on white or off-white paper.

. Applicants are requested not to place their applications in folders, as 
they are difficult to copy and file.

How Many Copies of Your Application Should You Send?

. Please send your original application plus two copies.

What about attachments to your application?

. Please do not send any attachments such as examples of work, publications 
or graphics with your application. If you are selected for interview you 
may wish to bring them to the interview.

Does Environment Australia acknowledge the receipt of applications?

. No, Environment Australia does not acknowledge applications on receipt.

Where to Send Your Application?

. If you are mailing your application please send it to the Contact Officer 
at the address nominated at the bottom of the position profile.

. If you are delivering the application by hand please call the Contact 
Officer on the telephone number in the advertisement to organise a 
convenient time.

Who to call if you have any questions?

. Questions about your application, the selection process and conditions of 
employment should be directed to the Recruitment Manager on  (02) 62741295.

. Questions about the duties and responsibilities of the position should be 
directed to the contact officer listed on the advertisement.