Tim
2010 Graduate Program
Since completing the 2010 Graduate Program I have remained in the Marine Division of the Department where I have been able to pursue my passion for marine conservation and develop critical policy skills that I have no doubt will assist me in reaching my career goals. My responsibilities and achievements have included:
At the end of 2010 I then moved into the Environment Assessment Branch where I continue to work in the NSW Section. In this role I implement the EPBC Act to undertake environmental impact assessments to mitigate risk to matters of national environmental significance.
- Coordinating and providing policy, technical and listed threatened and migratory species advice for regulating controlled activities under the EPBC Act.
- Liaising with relevant government and non-government stakeholders related to marine species conservation and other relevant environmental matters.
- Preparing high level briefing on cetacean and other marine species issues for the Minister, senior executive staff and international delegations.
- Services contract management with state government and consultancies associated with research and policy documentation to assist with Departmental outcomes.
- Developing understanding and providing input into policy documentation associated with international agreements and bodies, including the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Convention on Migratory Species, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership and bilateral agreements with Japan, China and Republic of Korea (migratory birds), and the Indian Ocean – South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding.
- Contributed to the development and implementation of national cetacean policy associated with inshore dolphin conservation, research priorities, whale watching and other marine species related matters.
- Recipient of a 'Wet and Wild' award for outstanding contribution to Marine Division for work done on the organisation and implementation of the Government Cetacean Management Workshop, Adelaide 2011
- Assisted in Departmental recruitment process and worked alongside SES panel members for selection of applicants for the 2012 DSEWPaC Graduate Program.
- Selected and assigned two 2011 graduates "buddies", providing a mentoring role and assisting in the transition to public service life and providing guidance to get the most from their graduate year.
- Captained the Marine/Parks Divisional team in the Departmental Social Sports Competition
The DSEWPaC Graduate Program has been a fantastic launching pad into the work of the Department and into public service life. Numerous opportunities have been made available to me as a result of the experiences I gained in the grad program. Furthermore, the contacts I have made and the relationships built since moving to Canberra have ensured that my time here has been more than enjoyable. Canberra is a social and active city, and if you're like me and love your sport and the outdoors, then it's a great place to be.
Having a marine biology background and a love for being out on the water, I don't see myself being a long-term public servant in Canberra, but for now I'm learning and developing and getting involved in real actions and outcomes that ensure marine environmental protection and conservation, and that in itself is extremely rewarding.