Under limited direction from the Assistant Director Operations the Northern Territory Operations Manager will be responsible for developing and coordinating all OAWG care and maintenance activities throughout the Northern Territory and Kimberly region of Western Australia. This position is also required to provide specialist support to other OAWG Depots throughout Australia.  

This position is responsible for the programming and facilitation of horticultural and structural maintenance to assets including multiple war cemeteries, gardens of remembrance, and numerous official commemorations in general cemeteries located throughout the region.

This position will include a balance of administration and onsite program delivery.

The State Operations Manager will lead a team of APS staff and contractors to safely deliver high quality horticultural and structural maintenance programs and will be responsible for the delivery of capital improvement projects across multiples sites and official commemorations under the care of the Office of Australian War Graves.

As an OAWG representative, the State Operations Manager is required to liaise with Department of Veterans’ Affairs staff, ex-Service organisations, veterans’ and their families, cemetery authorities, local and State authorities, and funeral providers on matters relating to OAWG.

The key duties of the position include:

• Plan, manage and review the care and maintenance program of the OAWG Northern Territory operations and provide specialist operational support to other depots as directed.
• Lead a range of horticultural maintenance activities including professional turf care, maintenance of garden beds and all aspects of site arboriculture, identification and treatment of plant pest and diseases.
• Lead a range of structural maintenance activities including landscape construction, stonemasonry, concreting and memorial maintenance tasks.
• Engage, train and supervise OAWG staff and contractors.
• Implement, monitor and adhere to all WH&S policies and procedures.
• Engage and supervise contractors ensuring scope of services are delivered to the OAWG safely, effectively and compliantly meeting the requirements of Commonwealth Procurement rules and effective contract management practices 
• Prepare and manage finance activities for the Northern Territory operations and exercise the relevant delegations to approve proposals to spend public monies.
• Liaise with other DVA staff, cemetery authorities, members of the public, ex-service organisations and others as required.
• Represent the Commonwealth at international, national and state fora and in formal military commemorative events.
• Report to senior management and provide advice on issues relations to OAWG activities

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
• All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
• The successful candidate will be required obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance.

 Mandatory Requirements

• A valid current Northern Territory/Australian driver’s license is required

Notes

This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for an initial specified term of up to 23 months. 

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

DVA embraces and fosters a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and respect, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are dedicated and committed to attracting and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage applications from people with disability, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Take on a rewarding, varied, and broad career with an Australian Public Service Department that can bring balance and flexibility to your working life, while supporting you to stay connected to your community.

DVA is committed to improving the data skills and capability of our workforce to underpin our goal of becoming a leading data-driven organisation.

Getting to know the Department of Veterans' Affairs

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to fulfil the nation’s duty to support our serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. We do this through programs of care, compensation, commemoration, income and Defence support services. Our aim is to enhance self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community recognition for those we support.
DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, Federal and State Government agencies and the veteran community.
DVA’s vision is to honour veterans, and empower them and their families to continue life after service, within a society that understands and values their military service and their ongoing contribution to the community.