Agency / Office of Environment and Heritage
Division/Branch/Unit / Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Location / Taronga Zoo or Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Classification/Grade/Band / Clerk Grade 8/9
Kind of Employment / Ongoing
ANZSCO Code / xxx
PCAT Code / xxx
Date of Approval / DRAFT
Agency Website / www.taronga.org.au
Agency overview
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) cares for and protects NSW’s environment and heritage, which includes the natural environment, Aboriginal country, culture and heritage, and built heritage. Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Taronga) forms part of the OEH. Taronga’s vision is to create a shared future for wildlife and people. Through our efforts we protect endangered species, increase understanding of wildlife and inspire community action.
Primary purpose of the role
The purpose of the Manager of Population Development and Welfare is to lead a dedicated team who, together with the Manager, are responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, policies and practices that enable proactive animal population planning and management and achieves positive welfare outcomes.
Key accountabilities
· Identify opportunities that contribute to enhancing Taronga’s reputation for excellence in promoting positive animal welfare through relevant publications, presentations, reports and the timely transfer of information to Taronga’s communications team.
· Develop, implement and review the genetic, demographic, reproductive and behavioural management strategies, policies, standards and practices for all taxa in the Taronga animal population.
· Represent Taronga on global and regional species management programs and initiate transactions for allocated taxa to achieve the agreed strategic plans.
· Represent Taronga on animal population management and animal welfare strategies and projects for all taxa at national and international level.
· Contribute to positioning Taronga as a leader in influencing legislation and stakeholder management surrounding animal welfare, meta-population management and small population management.
· Ensure legislative compliance with all local, State, Federal and international legislation, regulations and conventions as they pertain to the responsibilities of zoo animal management and transport.
· Coordinate a team of direct reports and other stakeholders to develop and deliver Taronga philosophies, policies and procedures that generate positive welfare outcomes
· Work with the Manager of Conservation and Recovery Programs to ensure alignment of Taronga’s animal management strategies and policies with State and Federal Government objectives in relation to achieving sustainability, conservation and biodiversity outcomes
· Manage risk with regard to external activity in animal welfare and rights, and provide advice to Wildlife Conservation and Science Director and the Manager of Animal Population, Health and Welfare on emerging issues and risk mitigation in this area.
· Managing animal transfer and associated budgets.
Key challenges
· Managing and supporting a team consisting of Wildlife Officers and Registrars and ensuring they are all working towards similar goals and objectives in support of Taronga’s Strategic Plan.
· Maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure the organisation meets its strategic and operational goals with regard to population development and management.
· Developing and delivering on animal population plans within resources available.
Key relationships
Who / Why /Internal
Direct Reports/Team / To provide leadership, management, information and performance feedback; to receive support and information; and to ensure ongoing communication, professional working relationships, and a positive and productive team culture
Management and other Taronga colleagues / To work professionally and collaboratively together; to provide/receive support, information and services; and to ensure effective ongoing communication and build professional working relationships
External
Stakeholders (which may for example include zoo visitors, consultants, contractors, suppliers, sponsors, media, auditors, government agencies and/or authorities) / To receive/provide information, direction, excellent customer service and/or work collaboratively together; and to represent Taronga in a professional and ethical manner.
Role dimensions
Decision making
· This role is empowered to deal animal transaction and welfare issues and opportunities. More complex issues and decisions are made in consultation with the Manager of Animal Population, Health and Welfare.
· This role is expected to follow management instructions and uphold Taronga’s Code of Conduct, Policies, Procedures, Charters (WHS, Customer Service and Animal Welfare) and Environmental Sustainability endeavours.
· Take reasonable care of own safety and ensure own conduct does not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
· Project a positive company image, work constructively as a Taronga team member, and report Taronga Compliance breaches.
Reporting line
This position reports to the Manager of Animal Population, Health and Welfare.
Direct reports
The following role/s report directly to the position:
· Registrar
· Assistant Registrar
· Wildlife Conservation Officer
The position has delegated financial sign off authority for $5,000 for the assigned budget
Essential requirements
· Demonstrable experience in managing teams, processes, budgets and strategy
· Demonstrable experience in science and/or philosophy of Animal Welfare and capacity to identify and manage emerging risk in this area.
· Tertiary education in animal welfare, biological sciences or equivalent
· Experience in small population management
· Demonstrable experience in team management
· Demonstrable ability to negotiate with and influence stakeholders
· NSW Drivers licence or equivalent
Capabilities for the role
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework applies to all NSW public sector employees. The Capability Framework is available at www.psc.nsw.gov.au/capabilityframework
Capability summary
Below is the full list of capabilities and the level required for this role. The capabilities in bold are the focus capabilities for this role. Refer to the next section for further information about the focus capabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework /Capability Group / Capability Name / Level /
/ Display Resilience and Courage / Adept
Act with Integrity / Adept
Manage Self / Adept
Value Diversity / Adept
/ Communicate Effectively / Advanced
Commit to Customer Service / Adept
Work Collaboratively / Adept
Influence and Negotiate / Advanced
/ Deliver Results / Adept
Plan and Prioritise / Adept
Think and Solve Problems / Adept
Demonstrate Accountability / Adept
/ Finance / Adept
Technology / Intermediate
Procurement and Contract Management / Intermediate
Project Management / Adept
/ Manage and Develop People / Advanced
Inspire Direction and Purpose / Adept
Optimise Business Outcomes / Intermediate
Manage Reform and Change / Adept
Focus capabilities
The focus capabilities for the role are the capabilities in which occupants must demonstrate immediate competence. The behavioural indicators provide examples of the types of behaviours that would be expected at that level and should be reviewed in conjunction with the role’s key accountabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework /Group and Capability / Level / Behavioural Indicators /
Personal Attributes
Display Resilience and Courage / Adept / · Be flexible, show initiative and respond quickly when situations change
· Give frank and honest feedback/advice
· Listen when ideas are challenged, seek to understand the nature of the criticism and respond constructively
· Raise and work through challenging issues and seek alternatives
· Keep control of own emotions and stay calm under pressure and in challenging situations
Personal Attributes
Manage Self / Adept / · Look for and take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills and develop strengths
· Show commitment to achieving challenging goals
· Examine and reflect on own performance
· Seek and respond positively to constructive feedback and guidance
· Demonstrate a high level of personal motivation
Relationships
Communicate
Effectively / Advanced / · Present with credibility, engage varied audiences and test levels of understanding
· Translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences
· Create opportunities for others to contribute to discussion and debate
· Actively listen and encourage others to contribute inputs
· Adjust style and approach to optimise outcomes
· Write fluently and persuasively in a range of styles and formats
Relationships
Influence and
Negotiate / Advanced / · Influence others with a fair and considered approach and present persuasive counter-arguments
· Work towards mutually beneficial win/win outcomes
· Show sensitivity and understanding in resolving acute and complex conflicts
· Identify key stakeholders and gain their support in advance
· Establish a clear negotiation position based on research, a firm grasp of key issues, likely arguments, points of difference and areas for compromise
· Pre-empt and minimise conflict within the organisation and with external stakeholders
Results
Deliver Results / Adept / · Take responsibility for delivering on intended outcomes
· Make sure team/unit staff understand expected goals and acknowledge success
· Identify resource needs and ensure goals are achieved within budget and deadlines
· Identify changed priorities and ensure allocation of resources meets new business needs
· Ensure financial implications of changed priorities are explicit and budgeted for
· Use own expertise and seek others' expertise to achieve work outcomes
Business Enablers
Finance / Adept / · Understand core financial terminology, policies and processes, and display a knowledge of relevant recurrent and capital financial measures
· Understand impacts of funding allocations on business planning and budgets, including value for money, choice between direct provision and purchase of services, and financial implications of decisions
· Understand and apply financial audit, reporting and compliance obligations
· Identify discrepancies or variances in financial and budget reports, and take corrective action where appropriate
· Seek specialist advice and support where required
· Make decisions and prepare business cases paying due regard to financial considerations
People Management
Manage and Develop People / Advanced / · Refine roles and responsibilities over time to achieve better business outcomes
· Recognise talent, develop team capability and undertake succession planning
· Coach and mentor staff and encourage professional development and continuous learning
· Provide timely, constructive and objective feedback to staff
· Address and resolve team and individual performance issues, including serious unsatisfactory performance, in a timely and effective way
· Implement performance development frameworks to align workforce capability with the organisation's current and future priorities and objectives
Role Description
Role Title 3 /