ROLE DESCRIPTION (LINE MANAGER)
ROLE TITLE: Senior Ecologist Abundant
DIRECTORATE: Conservation Policy and
Species
Programs
REMUNERATION LEVEL: PO4
BRANCH: Nature Conservation Branch
CHRIS POSITION NUMBER: EH0390
REPORTS TO (title): Manager, Nature
Conservation Branch
Number of other roles reporting to this role: 3 (can be up to 6 with contract employees)
DIRECTORATE BUSINESS PURPOSE / SCOPE:
The Conservation Policy and Programs Directorate provides policy advice, programs and support
for protected area and public land administration and management, coast and marine
management, heritage protection, visitor management, natural resource management, strategy
planning and assessment, Aboriginal and other community partnerships, and animal welfare.
The Nature Conservation Branch provides policy leadership for nature conservation in SA through
advice and influence across government, and is responsible for overseeing SASP targets 3.1 (Lose
no species) and 3.2 (biodiversity corridors); landscape and species conservation strategies
(including for abundant native species, sustainable use of wildlife, threatened species, private land
conservation, aquatic ecosystems and ecological restoration) and management and/or
implementation of significant projects such as River Murray Forest and NatureLinks.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Provide policy leadership on the management of South Australia’s native wildlife and biosecurity
issues impacting on the environment.
KEY ROLE OUTCOMES:

Employees are empowered, motivated, have appropriate expertise and meet
performance goals

Statewide priorities to ensure wildlife conservation, management and sustainable use of
species are established and clearly identified

Effective and timely verbal and written advice is provided to Government relating to
wildlife conservation and management

Effective policies are developed in relation to abundant and impact causing species

Strategies and programs are developed and maintained to ensure sustainable use of
native wildlife

Innovative approach to abundant species is maintained through scientific leadership at
the State and National level
KEY RELATIONSHIPS / INTERACTIONS:

Regional Conservation Delivery Directorate

Minister’s Office and Chief Executive’s Office

Kangaroo industry, hunting stakeholders, conservation management sector, wildlife care
groups and the Wildlife Health Network

Biosecurity SA
Senior Ecologist Abundant Species – COMPETENCIES
Management
Competencies
Shapes Strategic
Thinking and Change
Achieves Results
Element


Leading and
Influencing
Change
Making Decisions
Behavioural Indicators
 Advocates for change and continuous
improvement
 Anticipates the drivers and obstacles to change
and identifies ways to build on or decrease their
impact
 Recognises the likely implications of change upon
the various stakeholders and is adept at working
through these in a consultative way
 Predicts and assesses the political impact of a
decision as well as the impact on relevant
stakeholders
 Takes into account information from a range of
sources, including factual data and opinions of
others
 Makes informed and timely decisions even in
difficult and highly complex situations
 Ensures decision taken abide by relevant
legislation, regulations and policies.

Drives Business
Excellence

Optimising
Performance
Role Description – Senior Ecologist Abundant Species

Ensures ongoing performance management to
provide clarify of role, staff responsibilities and
expected standards
Proactive in building the capability of people by
actively supporting learning opportunities and
providing regular feedback on performance
2



Influencing and
Negotiating



Forges Relationships
And
Engages Others

Using Political
Savvy



Communicating
and Managing
Conflict





Exemplifies Personal
Drive &
Professionalism
Modelling Public
Sector Values
Role Description – Senior Ecologist Abundant Species
Effectively uses data and understanding of
specific audience’s perspectives to present a
compelling argument, engage others and
achieve positive outcomes
Recognises and takes into account the cultural
differences of stakeholders when in negotiation
Able to recognise other viewpoints and
demonstrate ‘give and take’ when appropriate
Can successfully influence a broad range of
stakeholders with differing viewpoints towards a
common position.
Is proactive in recognising areas of political
sensitivity and risk and taking action towards a
mutually beneficial outcome
Able to successfully handle political situations
both internally and externally
Pays attention to working collaboratively with a
diverse range of internal and external
stakeholders for the benefit of the Agency
Presents messages clearly and concisely in a
way that appeals to hearts and minds
Adept at reading verbal and non verbal signals
and making adjustments to maintain
engagement
Remains objective and calm even in conflictfilled situations
Manages conflict in ways that promote
conciliation, win-win outcomes, and positive
future relationships
 Acts according to values, ethics and standards of
the Public Sector and the Agency in all
interactions, even in the most sensitive situations
 Is active in promoting the need and importance
for the highest standards of personal and
professional behaviour aligned with the sector’s
code of conduct
 Consistently acts in accordance with the principles
of equity, diversity and social justice
3
Technical
Competencies
Element
Behavioural Indicators
Manages a complex
and sensitive
biodiversity
conservation program
Articulates program
objectives and
achievements
throughout the
organisation and to
external stakeholders.
 Communicating using a range of methods to
diverse groups of people in and outside of
governments and to the media
 Bringing together people from a diverse range of
backgrounds to deliver team outcomes in a
timely manner
 Negotiating outcomes and influencing others
towards preferred outcomes and resolving
conflict with and between diverse groups of
stakeholders.
Professional and
technical knowledge
Applies an
understanding of
impacts on biodiversity
conservation, analysis
of legislative
requirements and
technical issues for
incorporation into
policy and programs.
 Experience in research, development and
implementation of wildlife conservation and
management programs
 Ensures legislation and policy frameworks are
identified and analysed as part of developing
policy positions.
 Working without supervision and as part of a team
in the delivery of complex conservation programs
 Developing policy, management standards and
procedures within the context of legislative
requirements.
 Project development, project management and
budgeting cycles.
 High degree of contemporary knowledge of
management of impact causing fauna and
operational procedures required to ameliorate
impacts, including management methodologies.
Role Description – Senior Ecologist Abundant Species
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QUALIFICATIONS:
(Where applicable – indicate if essential or desirable. Please refer to the minimum qualification
requirements as prescribed by the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.)

Degree in science in the field of Ecology, Biology, Zoology, Botany, Wildlife Management,
Natural Resource Management or equivalent
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:


May be required to participate in fire management or associated duties.
Located at Keswick
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Mandatory to all roles)


Maintaining a commitment to EEO, Diversity, Ethical Conduct, Occupational Health,
Safety and Welfare and record-keeping within legislative requirements and according
to the principles of the Public Sector Act 2009.
Actively participating in the Department’s Performance Review and Development
Program.
Signed:_________________________ (Employee) ......./....../....
Approved By: _______________________ (Manager) ...../....../....
Role Description – Senior Ecologist Abundant Species
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