Ready to build, protect and manage one of the world's most spectacular marine environments?

This is more than a ranger role. It's an opportunity to lead meaningful infrastructure projects across the breathtaking Whitsundays and Southern Great Barrier Reef while helping conserve one of Australia's most treasured natural landscapes.

If you're looking for a career where your leadership creates lasting impact—and where your office includes turquoise waters, tropical islands and some of Australia's most remarkable, protected areas—this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Job details

Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks (GBR&MP) Region are excited to share an incredible opportunity for a Ranger, OO5 to join the team on a Permanent basis.

As one of the six regions of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the GBR&MP Region delivers conservation and management activities across land and sea including implementing the Reef Joint Field Management Program in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Additionally, the Region oversees the state's southern marine parks - Great Sandy Marine Park and Moreton Bay Marine Park.

As an OO5 Ranger within the Whitsunday Management Unit, you'll lead a small, high-performing team responsible for planning and delivering infrastructure projects across marine and island protected areas. Working alongside a passionate team of approximately 18 rangers, you'll report directly to the Ranger in Charge (Infrastructure) and play a key role in ensuring visitors can safely experience these incredible places for generations to come.

From constructing and maintaining walking tracks, campgrounds, boardwalks and lookouts to installing public moorings and reef protection markers above and below the waterline, no two days are the same.

This is a role for someone who enjoys leading people, managing projects, solving practical challenges and getting out into the field.

You'll also contribute to compliance and enforcement activities, working alongside State and Commonwealth agencies to protect our parks and marine environments. Whether educating visitors, supporting conservation outcomes or ensuring compliance with marine park regulations, you'll be making a genuine difference every day.

Working across the Whitsunday and Mackay Coast protected estate means you'll spend significant time on the water aboard a fleet of vessels, including overnight operations, accessing some of the most spectacular islands and reefs in Australia.

We're looking for someone who brings: 
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong project management, procurement and administrative experience.
• A practical, hands-on approach to infrastructure delivery.
• Confidence working in dynamic outdoor and marine environments.
• A passion for conservation, public service and protecting Queensland's natural assets.

This role offers variety, challenge and purpose. You'll work across infrastructure, visitor management, estate management, fire, pest management and conservation programs, developing a broad skill set while contributing to the long-term protection of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

To be considered you must hold the following qualifications: 
• an automatic/ unrestricted manual driver's licence
A Coxswain NSCV1 licence is highly desirable for this role but is not a mandatory requirement.

**Please refer to Qualifications on PD for other desirable tickets/quals.

To apply: 
Lodge an application online at www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au that consists of the following:
• your current resume of no more than 3 pages
• a short 1 page statement that briefly describes why you are the best suited person for this role

Applications will remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/696118/26

Closing Date: Friday, 7 August 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 696118 26 Role Description (Word, 620KB)
  Role Description