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Role Description
(Non Manager)
Role Title: Senior Project Officer, Ranges to River
Classification Level: PO2
CHRIS Position Number: EH
Group: Partnerships and Stewardship
Branch/Region/Unit: Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling
Basin
Reports to (Title): Principal Project Officer – Landscape
Resilience
Our Organisation
The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) is committed to providing a highly supportive work
environment that values the participation and contribution of every employee in shaping the future of the department. DEWNR
is a high performing organisation that encourages excellence, improvement and growth at both an organisational and individual
level. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values. Consequently we value and respect our people, we encourage active
participation and leadership; we continuously seek to be better, and we achieve results.
Purpose
The Partnerships and Stewardship Group works with Regional Natural Resource Management Boards to provide integrated
environmental and natural resources services, including management of public land, parks, reserves and crown lands. The Group
brings together much of our delivery effort, including our Regional Staff, the design and delivery of complex and major projects
and management of our commercial sites. The Group also provides timely and high quality advice on policy and implementation
of key initiatives to the Minister, Chief Executive, Government Agencies and ensures strong communication and engagement
with stakeholders.
About the Branch/Business Unit
The SA Murray-Darling Basin Region :
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Extends from the top of the Mount Lofty Ranges across the rangelands and southern Olary plains to the NSW and Victorian
borders. In the south are the River Murray Lakes and Mallee. The River Murray and vast wilderness parks are prominent
features of the region. The main townships include those in the Riverland, plus Blanchetown, Burra, Eudunda, Karoonda,
Lameroo, Mannum, Meningie, Mt Barker, Morgan, Murray Bridge, Pinnaroo, Robertstown, Strathalbyn and Tailem Bend.
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Has agriculture as the basis of the regional economy, including intensive irrigation along the River Murray corridor, Mallee
groundwater irrigation for horticulture and the diverse enterprises of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges. Dryland cropping and
grazing occurs in the southern areas, while grazing occurs in the north.
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Is dominated by very large areas of nature conservation in public lands and parks, Heritage Agreements on private land and
on properties run by philanthropic organisations. The region is home to a number of endangered species.
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Extends over 70,000 km², and incorporates part of 15 local government areas, with a population of ~123,000 people plus
visitors.
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The statutory community-based SAMDB Natural Resources Management Board, in partnership with community, industry
and all three levels of government, leads direction and priority-setting for the management of natural resources in the
region. It regularly monitors achievement of the regional plan, as well as its own role in the region’s collective effort The
Board’s own programs, delivered by Natural Resources SAMDB, are funded by Commonwealth and State grants and NRM
levies, complementing significant investments by landholders themselves. The Board is accountable to the Minister and the
community.
Role Description
(Non Manager)
About the Role
The Senior Project Officer, Ranges to River is responsible for managing a large nationally funded landscape restoration program
within the Ranges to River district of the SA MDB region, including managing and coordinating contracts to facilitate the
implementation of long term projects that improve habitat condition and extent and landscape resilience across the district.
Key Role Outcomes
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Ranges to River Program is developed, coordinated, implemented, reported on, and delivered on time and within budget
and risks are identified and managed to ensure successful delivery.
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Contracts and project budgets are administered and managed in a timely and efficient manner, consistent with
departmental procedures.
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Ecological landscape restoration principles for long term landscape management are incorporated into the development
and execution of each project.
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Opportunities for continuous improvement or innovation in NR SAMBD landscape resilience projects are identified and
implemented through adoption of active adaptive management principles and practices.
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Sound relationships with partner organisations, government agencies, community groups, and other key partners are
proactively managed and maintained to facilitate and encourage positive outcomes for landscape connectivity and
restoration projects across the region.
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Technical advice is provided to stakeholders, and community engagement strategies are developed and implemented which
ensure effective and inclusive delivery of projects.
Key Relationships
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Landscape Resilience Team Members
Staff of NR SAMDB, the SAMDB NRM Board and Group Members
District Managers
Key staff within DEWNR, including other DEWNR regions.
Local and State Government agencies
Non-Government environmental organisations, community environment groups and advocates.
Universities and other research organisations.
Industry, interest groups, private landholders and community members
Funding partners
Environmental Contractors and Consultants
Special Conditions
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This position will be located at one of the regional SA MDB offices - Murray Bridge, Mount Barker
A current Driver’s Licence is essential.
Some out of hours work, intrastate travel involving overnight absences from home or out of normal office hours may be
required as part of the position.
All staff are encouraged to wear the appropriate uniform in any public setting to represent the NR SAMDB region in a
professional manner.
Will be required to participate in fire management or associated duties.
Core Competencies
Elements
Shapes Strategic Thinking
and Change
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Motivating others
Behavioural Indicators
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Achieves Results
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Thinking and Acting
Strategically
Delivering Effective Outcomes
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Drives Business Excellence
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Making decisions
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Facilitating Quality and
Continuous Improvement
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Forges Relationships and
Engages Others
Exemplifies Personal Drive
and Professionalism
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Optimising performance
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Establishing and maintaining
Networks
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Influencing and negotiating
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Displaying flexibility and
resilience
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Uses own drive to foster energy and a sense of
achievement.
Considers each person as an individual when deciding
how to work with them rather than being prescriptive
in their approach.
Can identify and articulate potential issues and
implications.
Develops and communicates clear and realistic goals
/ expected outcomes for projects and tasks.
Works with key stakeholders to problem solve over
coming challenges and facilitate the achievement of
outcomes.
Looks at information available and analyses key risks
and benefits before making a decision.
Makes timely decisions for their area of responsibility
Acts as a role model by striving to deliver quality
outcomes even when under pressure.
Monitors and questions the effectiveness of existing
practices within the team.
Works collaboratively with team members to set
challenging team and individual goals.
Works well with others and is effective in
collaborating with individuals across the Agency and
externally.
Effectively gains buy-in across a range of levels to
achieve positive outcomes.
Adapts to new situations while maintaining
achievement of outcomes.
Presents a positive and composed manner even in
stressful situations.
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Technical, Professional/knowledge and Experience (including qualifications)
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A degree in natural resource management, environmental science, water management or related discipline is essential.
Planning and Organising Work
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Prioritises workload and allocates time appropriately.
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Takes a planned approach to organising work using available tools.
Conceptual thinking and creativity
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Introduces own ideas to overcome problems and is able to build on the ideas of others.
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Considers the impact of their ideas on the broader context.
Organisational Knowledge
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Is aware of the work area’s interface with other relevant internal and external operations and knows the work area’s key
stakeholders.
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Is able to relate confidently to people at all levels in an organization and work with networks to get things done.
Technical Knowledge
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Demonstrates a fundamental and current understanding of landscape restoration, connectivity and conservation ecology.
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Remains abreast of relevant changes in ecological stewardship theories and relevant conservation research.
Contributes to Workplace Safety:
Accepts responsibility for own and other’s safety
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Actively participates in consultation about work, health and safety issues
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Identifies and reports hazards and identifies risk controls where appropriate
Corporate Responsibilities
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Maintain a commitment to EEO, Diversity, Ethical Conduct, and record keeping within legislative requirements, according to
the principles of the Public Sector Act 2009.
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Actively participate in the Department’s Performance Development and Review Program.
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When liaising with external stakeholders, the Region will be represented in a professional and cooperative manner,
demonstrating a flexible and strategic approach.
Approved By : ____________________________ (Delegate)
Version Control
DEWNR Branch:
DEWNR group:
File Name:
...../....../....
Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin
Partnerships and Stewardship
Date approved:
Classified:
Classified by:
YES/NO
Susan Miller
Version:
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