Join Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC): Protect Australia’s Unique Wildlife!

Are you passionate about conservation and making a real difference for Australia’s endangered wildlife? AWC, a global leader in conservation, is looking for Land Management Officers off the Kimberley location! 

About AWC:

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is the largest private (non-profit) owner of land for conservation in Australia, protecting wildlife and their habitats at 30 sanctuaries and partnership areas, covering a total of more than 6.8 million ha across Australia. In addition, AWC is contributing to conservation management of 6.1 million ha of land managed by our pastoral partners. With a focus on practical land management, informed by world-class science, AWC is implementing a dynamic new model for conservation. 

AWC’s mission - to deliver effective conservation for all native animal species and their habitats - is achieved by:

• Operations - delivering effective large-scale land management including fire management, feral animal control, weed control and infrastructure management.
• Science - delivering a nationally-coherent program of ecological surveys with a focus on monitoring key conservation assets and threats, conducting applied research relevant to wildlife conservation, implementing conservation programs including reintroductions, and providing advice to management.

• Fundraising - mobilising finance (primarily, tax deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of AWC conservation programs. 

About the Role:

In the Kimberley, AWC protects wildlife and their habitats across 7 properties and partnership areas, covering 4.3 million hectares; Mornington-Marion Downs and Charnley River - Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuaries; in partnership with Yulmbu (Kija), Dambimangari and Wilinggin Traditional Owners, Ranger Groups and their representative Aboriginal Corporations and implements conservation management on Yampi Sound Training Area, in collaboration with Dambimangari people under contract with the Commonwealth Department of Defence. 

The Land Management Officer, pending on management area, reports to, and supports, the Operations Manager for each area with the implementation of conservation and operational programs to deliver effective conservation in collaboration with the North-West Science team, as part of OneAWC and AWC’s national approach to conservation. These positions will assist in the implementation of a range of land management programs (fire management including planned burning and wildfire suppression, feral animal control, weed management and infrastructure maintenance). This is an exciting opportunity to carry out land management that is closely integrated with comprehensive science and monitoring programs in one of Australia’s most important ecological regions. 

There are several positions available in the Kimberley both short- and long-term contracts. Land Management positions will be based at one of three locations: Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, Charnley River – Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary or Derby for the Yampi Sound and Dambimangari Partnership position. In addition, AWC’s Kimberley Region works on a cooperative approach across all management areas. You may, for reasonable periods of time, be required to work on other management areas within the region.  

Within AWC, the Operations and Science teams work in an integrated manner to design and deliver conservation and land management and to measure and report on ecological health as part of the national AWC approach to conservation. The position will be expected to build and maintain professional working relationships with the other science staff in the NW region. 

Ideally you will have experience across a broad range of natural resource / land management functions.  Good communication skills across a wide range of groups including neighbouring landholders, scientists, traditional owners, volunteers, contractors and visitors are essential.  Experience in a trade, or appropriate tertiary education and an ability to operate a computer is desirable. You will need to be organised, hands-on, experienced in living and working in remote areas and have a background or interest in nature conservation. 

• Getting things done: enhanced planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner.   

• Working with, and supervising people: excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. 

• Practical land management and asset management or comparable skills/experience:  You need to demonstrate knowledge of and practical experience in delivering land management programs including fire management, weed and feral animal control programs or comparable experience that is readily transferable.  Demonstrated practical skills managing assets and infrastructure is desirable, including: 

  • The implementation of infrastructure projects such as fencing, roads and building.  

  • The management and use of a wide range of plant and equipment (tractors and implements, generators, pumps and power tools, including chainsaws, welders etc) 

  • Basic skills and experience across a number of areas (building, mechanical, fencing, plumbing, welding & electrical), including the ability to carry out routine tasks and maintenance. 

  • Bushfire control training and experience. 

  • 4WD experience in relevant off-road conditions. 

• Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to keep and maintain records and in the preparation of reports.    

• Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources. 

• Living in the bush: previous experience of working and living in a rural area, preferably remote, and the supervision of teams in geographically diverse locations is desirable.  

• Information technology:  Ability in using standard business software packages (including Word, email, Excel) is essential and well-developed GIS skills are highly desirable.  

• A passion for conservation: Understanding of, and interest in, ecology and conservation issues. 

• Willingness to travel: An ability and willingness to work in diverse locations. 

• Willingness to conduct activities in helicopters and light planes: helicopter and light plane travel activities are required from time-to-time to undertake the duties associated with this role. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Practical experience in delivering ‘on-ground’ results in land management or conservation is essential. 

• A degree or certificate qualification in Conservation and Land Management will be advantageous but is not essential. 

• Valid manual driver’s licence. 

• Valid agricultural machinery licences for machinery such as trucks, tractors and other vehicles/equipment as relevant (or the capacity to readily obtain these licences).    

• Remote Senior first aid certificate (or the capacity to readily obtain). 

• Current Police clearance certificate (or capacity to readily obtain) 

• Valid firearms license (highly desirable) 

Inherent requirements of the role: The execution of tasks associated with the position involves extensive fieldwork, which can be for multiple days/nights on occasions and in remote locations away from an established field base. The working environment is predominantly outdoors and often in the extremes of weather (0 in the winter; up to 45 degrees+ in the summer) – hot and wet and/or dry, especially when conducting fire and pastoral operations. The position is physically demanding, requiring heavy muscular activity including lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling loads, bending, climbing and driving a variety of vehicles. The successful applicant must be physically capable of residing at this remote location and performing these activities in order to carry out the inherent role requirements. 

• Position Description: Land Management Officer NW (If you are viewing from an external site such as SEEK, please view our website for the job description)

PLEASE NOTE: There are several positions for this vacancy located around the Kimberley region. 

Join our Journey:

Take the leap and start your next adventure with the AWC!  AWC reserves the right to start screening applicants and interviewing throughout the recruitment process. 

• For Initial enquiries: people@australianwildlife.org

APPLICATIONS: To submit an application, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts to complete an online application form. Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.

PLEASE NOTE: 

1. Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply. Sponsorship is not available.
2. Applicants will under go relevant pre-employment checks, which may include an online medical and a values-based assessment. 
3. If you apply for this role, AWC will include you in its ongoing updates and communications about its events, activities and fundraising initiatives. You may opt out of these communications at any time.
4. Any application submitted to AWC will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.australianwildlife.org/privacy-policy. By providing us with your contact details, your consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity. AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.