Senior Programs and Operations Officer, APS Level 6, Australian Space Agency
* Applications close 6 April at 11:30pm AEDT
* The salary range for this role is $98,716 - $107,053
About the Department
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:
* Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
* Investing in science and technology
* Strengthening the resources sector.
The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.
If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.
About the team
The Australian Space Agency is a specialist division within the Department of Industry, Science and Resources that provides leadership on civil space capability to improve the lives of Australians and strengthen our society. The Agency ensures that Australia’s space activities and sector contribute to our national interest and broader Government objectives, including improved productivity, more resilient communities, environmental sustainability, furthering scientific knowledge and strengthening national security.
The Agency’s functions are to:
* lead policy and coordination of civil space activities across government
* shape and grow national space capability, including delivery of Agency programs
* lead international civil space engagement for economic and strategic benefit, in alignment with Australia’s foreign policy objectives
* promote a responsible space sector for current and future uses of space through education and regulation
* promote value and benefits of space to the community, including to inspire a highly skilled workforce.
The opportunity
The opportunity sits in the Space Policy Branch, which is responsible for providing policy advice and analysis on the space sector to improve the lives of Australians and strengthen our society. The branch works across all levels of government to coordinate space policy and outcomes in the national interest.
Space Policy Branch focuses on:
* Civil space policy alignment
* Space national security
* International partnerships
* Space literacy and workforce.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre is a public-facing cultural institution which aims to inspire the next generation with stories of opportunity, curiosity, and technology. Based in Adelaide city, the centre hosts a Careers Information Hub showcasing rewarding and diverse career pathways in the Australian space industry, an operational Mission Control Centre viewable through a theatrette for live space events, industry guest speakers and opportunities to engage with space experts, and an interactive space exhibition offering immersive, hands-on experiences.
What’s in it for you?
You will help enable, shape, and enhance the capabilities of the Australian Space Discovery Centre, improving space literacy and inspiring Australians to pursue a career in the Australian space sector.
In this role, you will deliver on broader space policy objectives of the Agency through developing and implementing impactful public engagement opportunities that communicate Australian space stories and why space matters. Your expertise will be crucial in attracting young people to develop the passion and skills necessary for the future Australian space workforce.
You will be actively engaged with the other scientific communications institutions, the Australian space industry and STEAM-educators, developing relationships, and building a strong and trusted network – some interstate travel may be required.
Working in a team, this role will underpin the programmatic and operational requirements of running a successful visitor centre. With a national remit, you will assist Centre and Agency management to achieve the vision and mission of the Australian Space Discovery Centre to reach beyond the physical footprint of the Centre.
The Senior Programs and Operations Officer, Australian Space Discovery Centre (ASDC) is a subject matter expert who develops and supports all areas of Centre programs and operations required to successfully run a public-facing institution. They assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating a range of visitor experiences, educational resources, and operational procedures to lead a team of Space Communicators in achieving meaningful public engagement outcomes.
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills and contribute to a productive workplace in a complex and challenging environment with competing demands. They will demonstrate an ability to prioritise workflows through good time management skills and effective delegation of tasks amongst a team. They will adopt a solutions-based, pragmatic and innovative approach to enhancing our offerings, fostering a positive culture and enhancing our people’s capability.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
* expertise or qualifications in science communication techniques and/or educational pedagogy
* proven capability in leading and developing skills-focused educational content, programs, and exhibitions
* excellent administrative and project development skills and a demonstrated understanding of government processes including conducting procurements, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and child safe environments
* initiative, flexibility, and sound-judgement in a dynamic workplace environment requiring issuing directives to staff and exercising delegations
* a commitment to evidence-based continuous improvement of educational and outreach activities, including future centre exhibitions and other digital engagement
* ability in measuring and analysing data on impact of activities, including visitation statistics, demographics and trends of visitors to the ASDC and attendees of virtual events
* proven capacity to work proactively as an individual and as a leader of a team to inspire, motivate and coach staff and an ability to build teams that demonstrate a collaborative and supportive culture
* a passion for space, science, technology, or education – or all of these!
What you will do
As the Senior Programs and Operations Officer, you will:
* support the running of internal and external Discovery Centre operations, visitor experience and public engagement. Core hours are weekdays with the possibility of working weekends when necessary
* lead, collaborate, guide, and refine the creation of educational initiatives, events and exhibitions for diverse audiences and in collaboration with other scientific communications institutions that promote space literacy and workforce development aligning to the Australian Space Agency’s overarching mission and purpose
* provide continued training opportunities for the Space Communicator team, including developing internal training materials or sourcing external providers
* lead a team of Space Communicators to deliver outcomes across Centre operations including developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), performing monthly check-ins with staff to collect and integrate staff feedback, and coach on Centre operations and programs delivery
* participate in strategic planning of Discovery Centre goals, aims, and focus to ensure continued growth and alignment with Agency priorities, including conducting procurements against these priorities
* evaluating Centre performance and facility management across retail, visitor experience, and program delivery activities, including being responsible for change implementation
* engaging across Agency business units, external government departments, industry, and academia to identify collaborative opportunities aligning to Agency goals and objectives.
In carrying out these key duties, you will:
* provide expertise and technical knowledge in specialist area across a range of programs or activities for the agency.
* ensure knowledge of and compliance with legislative, financial and administrative frameworks, government decision-making processes, procurement processes, and agency guidelines and regulations.
* evaluate the effectiveness of risk management and risk assessment activities within sphere of responsibility.
* develop and support complex relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Manage relationships with stakeholders to achieve work area and agency goals. Anticipate and respond to stakeholder needs and expectations.
* maintain awareness of the longer-term strategic, political or operational outcomes for the agency/program and possible impacts on the work area.
* monitor work area performance with an in-depth understanding of relevant legislative and policy frameworks in addition to the Agency and APS Values and Code of Conduct.
* work with independence, subject to limited direction against established priorities, practices, and methodologies to deliver quality outcomes and produce work requiring little or no revision before finalisation.
* make decisions using good-judgement, expertise and knowledge, under limited guidance. Ensure decisions are governed by the application of regulations, best practice principles or the Agency’s operating instructions and procedures.
* contribute to strategic planning for long-term initiatives and implement work plans for the work area including setting tasks and priorities, managing workflow, and allocating resources.
To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.
Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Notes
Job-share will be considered for this position.
The successful applicant must be based in Adelaide or willing to relocate for this position. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.
A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.
Application information
Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.
Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.
Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).
Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact (emailprotected) or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.
Contact Information
For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Thomas Lewis on 08 8406 4712 or via email on (emailprotected)
How to apply:
* Start your application by clicking the "begin" button.
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