DSD
Role Statement
ROLE TITLE
Senior Geophysicist
Position No.
CLASSIFICATION
PO3
Date
Classified
DIRECTORATE
Mineral Resources
BUSINESS UNIT
Geological Survey of South Australia
BUSINESS UNIT
PROGRAM
South Australia’s Lithospheric Architecture
TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT
Ongoing
23rd
September
2016
ANZSCO Code
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS (to be considered for these duties it is essential that you have the following)
Bachelor of Science majoring in geology or geophysics. A PhD is considered desirable.
ROLE PURPOSE / CONTEXT (primary purpose as relates to DSD strategic objectives)
The Department of State Development works in close partnership with business, the education
sector, community and key stakeholders to harness South Australia’s expertise in innovation, skills
development and industry transformation. By working collaboratively the Department will help drive
economic growth and the creation of jobs. The Department brings together responsibility for the
state’s growing resources and energy portfolio, the transformation to high-value manufacturing, and
responsibility for skills formation, employment and science.
The Resources and Energy Group (RE Group) of the Department of State Development is
responsible for investment attraction, management and regulation of South Australia’s mineral and
energy sectors. The focus of the Department and the RE Group is to drive the sustainable and
holistic economic development of South Australia’s mineral and energy sectors and ensure the
State realises and maximises the benefits in terms of employment growth and investment. Within
this context the RE Group internationally leads the best practice management of South Australia’s
mineral, petroleum, gas and geothermal assets, including streamlined regulation of exploration and
mining activities that attracts investment and delivers outcomes of sustainable benefit and
prosperity. The RE Group is also responsible for the PACE (Plan for Accelerating Exploration)
program.
The Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) provides a comprehensive information and
knowledge framework on the State’s geoscience and resources through a strategic science based
approach within a collaborative and professional work environment.
The GSSA’s extensive work programs and ongoing core services contribute greatly to maintaining
and exceeding the goals of the State and the RE Group strategic plans and are critical in
continuing the growth of the State’s minerals and energy resources sector.
The Senior Geophysicist is part of a program designed to map the lithospheric architecture of South
Australia to determine the relationship between this architecture and the distribution of mineral
deposits, and produce mappable geophysical exploration criteria. The main emphasis of this
program is a substantial improvement in the understanding of geology of South Australia and the use
of new and existing knowledge to better inform exploration models and barriers to discovery in a
widened search space under cover. This role requires a strategic approach to the assessment of the
geology, mineral resources and promotion of mineral exploration with a focus on identifying areas
where the Geological Survey can reduce the risk of mineral exploration in South Australia
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DSD Role Statement
The Senior Geophysicist is responsible for the delivery and strategic overview of complex assigned
projects and professional scientific resources, data and information, via the application of specialist
geophysical expertise. The Senior Geophysicist ensures that the projects and activities and staff
subject to oversight are examples of a high standard of government outputs and meet the needs of
a wide range of local, national and international stakeholders.
The Senior Geophysicist is required to provide authoritative scientific expertise, advice and
assistance as one of the lead scientific geophysical advisors and is required to provide professional
and scientific leadership and technical direction in the day to day activities of other professional
officers involved with aspects of assigned projects and activities, and must significantly participate
in the achievement of the deliverables of key projects and program activities.
REPORTING / WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
(to whom the person reports; staff for whom the person is
responsible; internal and external working relationships)
•
Works independently but is accountable to the Program Coordinator – South Australia’s
Lithospheric Architecture.
•
Works closely with other members of the GSSA and members of other divisional and
departmental stakeholder groups.
•
Develops and maintains strong state and national industry/stakeholder networks.
•
Provides professional and/or technical direction to other officers involved in assigned projects
and activities.
•
Collaborates on different projects with key industry, government and educational stakeholders at
the state and national level
•
Represents and promotes the GSSA, REG and DSD at conferences/workshops via conference
presentations, scientific seminars and via the publication of papers in peer reviewed journals.
SECTION A:
RESULTS TO BE ACHIEVED
(the outcomes, outputs, services, tasks and products arising from the duties)
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Professional leadership is provided to ensure that the Geological Survey of South Australia receives
quality data management services, which support the provision of a comprehensive information and
knowledge framework on the State’s geoscience and resources.
 An expert technical and scientific trainer and mentor role, and guidance to staff on geophysical
methods and process, including geophysical modelling is provided including the delivery of
technical analysis and interpretation, and the application of methods associated with the
generation of pre-competitive geoscientific data.
 Expert advice and assistance is provided in relation to policies, strategies and tactics associated
with geophysical information and data and its acquisition and interpretation, and aspects in the
design and operation of existing and new projects, and in developing and promoting
opportunities for enhancing the use and application of geophysical data.
 Oversight and monitoring in delivered to ensure other professional staff are trained, and that
appropriate supervision is provided for all relevant aspects of geoscientific data acquisition/entry
and interpretation.
 Coordinate and facilitate the delivery of the core business objectives and key performance
indicators of assigned complex projects and collaborative activities between industry and
research stakeholders
 The range of work required for the estimating, planning and programming of assigned projects
and activities is initiated.
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DSD Role Statement

Coordination is delivered to the control, monitoring, and reporting of progress on, assigned
projects and activities, including foreseeing problems and implementing corrective actions, in
consultation with key stakeholders, in order to maintain project objectives and promote beneficial
and productive stakeholder relationships.

Coordination is delivered for the delivery of project and resource scheduling functions.
DATA ACQUISITION AND INTERPRETATION
High level, professional and in-depth involvement with, and understanding of, project data is
combined with end-to-end survey project planning and implementation, via the provision of expert
scientific and technical advice, which contributes to the advancement of expert knowledge of the
geology and mineral resources of South Australia

Expert and specialist professional advice and guidance is delivered to departmental, state and
national stakeholders

Complex exploration concepts, models and data, which are relevant to the geoscientific areas
of investigation, are expertly generated and are communicated to state and national
stakeholders via scientific papers in peer reviewed journals, conference presentation and the
production of geophysical models and reports

Specialist studies across the geoscientific areas, that are relevant to mineral exploration, are coordinated and conducted.

Expert contribution is made to the advancement of the knowledge of the geology and mineral
resources of the State by providing scientific direction and mentoring, and promoting systems
and processes that will enable staff and the students of stakeholder educational institutions to
develop knowledge and expertise in the field of geophysics and geophysical modelling.

Professional and expert input is provided and delivered within GSSA to facilitate the expert
development and implementation of a strategic approach to the capture, collection and
management of geophysical data, which ensures its ongoing relevance, integration and
compliance with relevant departmental, industry, scientific and relevant regulatory and data
quality standards and objectives.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Applies expert professional knowledge of the geology and mineral resources of the State, and of
current professional standards, trends and technologies, to support the development and continual
improvement of the processes, techniques and systems being utilised.

Expert consultancy services and advice are delivered to both internal and external
stakeholders at the state and national level, in relation to all aspects of geophysical data
management, collection and modelling activities.

High level contribution to the development and implementation of new project management
systems, policies and procedures.

Appropriate quality systems are implemented and maintained.

New developments, trends and issues in relevant fields are monitored and evaluated and
implemented where relevant.

Coordination is delivered for the implementation and monitoring of structures and systems that
are aimed at providing the highest standards of data and information to stakeholders.

Undertake and foster collaboration at the state and national level in order to enable improved
data acquisition and interpretation, and the development of models, techniques and processes
to assess the delivery of systems nationally/internationally.
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DSD Role Statement

Significant reports and technical publications and peer reviewed papers are authored utilising
relevant geoscientific data and published and promoted at the state and national level.

Expert professional advice and assistance is provided to a range of clients, stakeholders and
staff.

A range of comprehensive technical information is generated and disseminated through data
packages, field excursions, and for national and international peer reviewed journals and
publications.

Approved papers are presented at a range of conferences, seminars and exhibitions at a Stateand national level.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
(e.g. Act / Award; location; WHS requirements; travel requirements; frequent overtime, etcetera)
 Compliance with Government legislation, Code of Ethics for the SA Public Sector, DSD
policies and procedures, including ethical / accountable resources and information
management, WHS and injury management, risk management, and the access / equity
/diversity strategies of the public sector.
 Engagement in this role may be subject to a satisfactory Department for Communities and
Social Inclusion Criminal History Check or National Police Check. A renewal will be required
every 3 years.
 Out of hours work may be required.
 International and interstate travel may necessitate periods of absence.
 Extensive intrastate fieldwork will be required, necessitating working up to 2 weeks in harsh
conditions including camping in the open.
 A current driver’s licence is essential.
 The incumbent will be required to maintain a safe working environment by adopting appropriate
hazard management practices consistent with the role.
 Pursuant to the Public Sector Act 2009, employees may be reassigned alternative duties, at
their classification level and within their skills and abilities. This may also include alternative
office locations.
 Attendance at appropriate training courses and presenting work at appropriate state and
national conferences is essential.
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DSD Role Statement
CAPABILITIES PROFILE
SECTION B
(The skills, knowledge and personal attributes that underpin successful job
performance.)
(List 8-10 capabilities critical in enabling the personal to achieve to a high level.)
Professional
&
Technical
Knowledge
Demonstrates expert knowledge
across all key areas of
professional and technical
competence relevant to the role.

High level understanding of gravity, magnetic, radiometric, EM/AEM,
MT, resistivity and other geophysical techniques, their application
and data structures

High level geophysical interpretation and mapping skills at state,
regional and prospect scales

High level knowledge of structural and stratigraphic interpretation
methods

High level experience and understanding of geophysical survey
design, logistics and operations.

Highly experienced in geophysical data processing, QAQC in a
dissemination centred environment

Experienced in the use of geoscientific exploration software (e.g:
ERMapper, Gocad, ArcGIS &/or MapInfo (+Discover), Profile
Analyst, Intrepid, Jetstream and Modelvision.)

Highly developed knowledge of polymetallic exploration and
economic geology techniques.
Proven current experience in brokering and maintaining
collaborative working relationships with major resource industry
stakeholders and research partners.


A proven current track record of peer review and promotion and
publication of results to the exploration industry as evidenced by:





Participating in the peer review and assessment of scientific
work;
Current publication history of reports and papers in local and
international scientific journals
Presenting workshops and short courses;
Organising symposia and conferences
Presenting research results at local and international
conferences.
Leading Others/Motivating
Leads by example at the highest
level; acts as a role model of
effective public sector leadership;
causes people to believe what
they do makes a difference; uses
different leadership styles
effectively to achieve objectives.

Recognises critical issues for the organisation and provides
leadership in bringing these forward.

Leads from the front in areas of responsibility

Motivates people by involving them in planning and shaping
common goals

Actively utilises opportunities to highlight and build on others
strengths.
Team Work/Team Building
Develops and accomplishes
shared goals by taking an active
role in the team and contributing
ideas, knowledge and expertise:
works collaboratively toward team
goals.

Shares information and resources, passing on specialist knowledge
to others

Actively shapes outcomes by contributing to shared leadership of the
team.

Encourages co-operation and collaboration

Accomplishes shared goals by accepting joint responsibility
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DSD Role Statement

Sets a strong example of being a team player

Communicates openly to develop and maintain working relationships

Communicates ideas and information in a form well matched to, and
well received by, staff at all levels

Conveys technical issues in simple, non-technical language and
relevant to the needs of the customer

Puts complex technical information in a form that is clearly
understood and relevant to the audience.
Attention to Detail

Tests hypotheses thoroughly
Monitors own and others’ work,
ensuring it complies with the
performance standards required
by the organization (timeliness,
accuracy, reliability, costeffectiveness etc).



Produces work that is meticulous with a high level of rigor
Sets up procedures for thorough checking accuracy of work /
information.
Delivers a high standard of performance even when working under
pressure
Uses a planned, structured approach in applying scientific methods.
Planning and Organising (Work
Management)

Ensures plans and frameworks are easily understood by others

Works flexibly and hard to meet deadlines, communicating problems
and difficulties when necessary

Sets priorities effectively, allocating and managing time and resources
accordingly.

Uses tools (e.g. calendar, files, charts) and time efficiently to meet
objectives.

Delivers a high standard of performance even when working under
pressure

Monitors the effectiveness and quality of existing practices

Actively works to maintain and further build the reputation of the
organisation

Recognises and explores opportunities for innovative approaches.

Works with others (including clients) to develop innovative and
practical solutions

Assimilates, interprets and synthesises large amounts of complex
information to draw logical conclusions

Critiques information from a number of viewpoints to discern its value

Quickly perceives the implications of information and makes strategic
judgements based upon this

Undertakes research into new processes and techniques that can
potentially value-add to geological interpretations of South Australia.


Develops and maintains personal and professional competence
Assimilates new and complex information and incorporates into work
context.
Demonstrates a keen interest in work and keeps up to date with trends
and developments in the industry.
Keeps up to date with current technology.
Communication
Communicates effectively with a
wide range of people and
expresses ideas clearly and
coherently, both verbally and in
writing.
Manages own and others time
efficiently,
plans
resource
availability and use so that work is
completed on time and in line with
objectives.
Quality Focus/Continuous
Improvement/Best Practice
Systematically monitors the
standard of own and others
performance and strives for
quality results.
Analytical Thinking
Sizes up information; uses logic to
evaluate and draw sound
conclusions; assimilates and
analyses information that is high
volume and complex.
Learning Orientation
Keen to learn new skills and
understand new ideas, learns
quickly from feedback and from
experience; seeks opportunities to
expand knowledge.



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DSD Role Statement
Strategic Focus
Maintains clear sense of strategic
direction within national, state and
local contexts; persistently builds
and sustains momentum and
direction in an environment of
ongoing change.




Turns strategic directions and imperatives into actionable plans
Demonstrates clear understanding of the organisations strategic
objectives
Sets organisational priorities by discriminating between important and
essential activities
Builds the organisation’s capacity to realise its strategic goals.
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