About AWC:

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global leader in conservation, providing hope for Australia’s wildlife with a science-informed, land management partnership approach which delivers high impact results. We protect endangered wildlife in iconic regions such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. 

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 the largest national biological survey program with a focus on measuring the population of indicator species and the extent of threatening processes as well as conducting research on key issues such as feral cat control. 
Fundraising - mobilising finance (primarily, tax deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of field updates from around the AWC estate.  

About the Role:

Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary protects 306,911 hectares of extraordinary conservation value, including 100km of the nationally significant Calvert River and 55 km of pristine Gulf of Carpentaria coastline. The sanctuary captures a remarkable ecological gradient that extends from the ocean and its adjacent lowland plains to the top of the rugged sandstone plateau that dominates the Gulf region.

Pungalina-Seven Emu is an important refuge for the declining wildlife of the Gulf of Carpentaria, protecting nearly 50 mammal species, over 200 bird species and over 100 reptiles. This species inventory does not include marine mammals or pelagic seabirds like boobies, most terns, and frigate birds that are likely to visit the shores of Seven Emu regularly.

Pungalina-Seven Emu represents a historic partnership between AWC and an Indigenous landholder, Frank Shadforth and his family. The Seven Emu component of the wildlife sanctuary is aboriginal pastoral land owned by Frank Shadforth and leased to AWC for 30 years. Seven Emu was the first parcel of Indigenous pastoral land to be leased by a private conservation group, establishing an important new model for conservation on Indigenous land.

AWC is currently seeking two committed and enthusiastic individuals to fill the roles of Sanctuary Manager and Assistant Sanctuary Manager, based at Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary. The ideal candidates will be very practical people with a passion for saving Australia’s wildlife and landscapes. They will be able to demonstrate the ability to manage people and co-ordinate major projects simultaneously and integrate these projects with AWC’s science program. Candidates will need to have experience with remote property management (including fire management, feral animals, weeds, roads, buildings and fencing) and getting things done on time and within budget. Successful candidates will be capable of working with a wide range of stakeholders such as land managers, scientists, students, volunteers, visitors and neighbouring landholders. 

The Sanctuary Manager and the Assistant Sanctuary Manager roles would be suited to two individuals known to each other as the provided on-site accommodation is a shared arrangement. The two roles are offered on a permanent full-time basis and have become available as replacement positions.  

This is a unique opportunity to join Australia’s largest non-government conservation organisation and help shape the future of private sector conservation in Australia.   

Critical competencies:

NOTE: For the full role-specific competencies and responsibilities please refer to the attached Position Descriptions below.

• Getting things done: you will require sound planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner. 
• People management skills: required for managing staff, including leading and managing and coordinating remote teams of Operational Staff, Volunteers, and Contractors.
• Working with people: sound communication and interpersonal skills including establishing and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Practical land management and asset management or comparable skills/experience: you need to demonstrate knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including fire management, weed and feral animal control programs or comparable experience that is readily transferable. This includes:
  • The implementation of infrastructure projects such as fencing, road maintenance and building.
  • The management and use of a wide range of plant and equipment (graders, tractors, generators, pumps and power tools, including chainsaws, welders, etc.)
  • A broad knowledge of all trades (building, mechanical, fencing, plumbing, welding & electrical) is desirable, including the ability to carry out routine tasks and maintenance.
  • Bushfire control training and experience.
  • 4WD experience in relevant off-road conditions is essential.
• Cultural awareness: knowledge and interest in Australian Indigenous culture and willingness to work in a cross-cultural workplace.
• Financial management: demonstrated ability to deliver projects cost-effectively and be able to code and track expenditure, operating within the budget.
• Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to maintain records and implement permit/authorisation processes.
• 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.
• Information technology: an ability in using standard business software packages (including Word, email, Excel) is essential.
• A passion for conservation: understanding and interest in Australian ecology and conservation issues.
• Willingness to travel.

Qualifications:

For both positions, formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, but is less important than strong, practical experience and a good track record of delivering ‘on-ground’ results. 

Licences & Certificates:

1. A valid manual driver’s licence, with 4WD experience in difficult conditions, is essential. 
2. Experience operating agricultural machinery such as trucks and tractors. 
3. Bushfire control training and experience.
4. Senior first aid certificate (remote certification – highly desirable). 
5. Police clearance certificate. 
6. NT firearms experience / current license.

Inherent Requirements of the Roles: The execution of tasks associated with these positions involve fieldwork in a very remote location and, at times, away from an established field base. The working environment will include working outdoors and often in the extremes of weather – hot, wet, and/or dry, especially when conducting fire operations. The position can be physically demanding, requiring muscular activity including lifting, and carrying, pushing and pulling loads, bending, climbing and driving a variety of vehicles. The successful applicants must be physically capable of performing these activities, at this location in order to carry out the inherent role responsibilities. Pungalina-Seven Emu is very isolated and can be cut off during the wet season for extended periods and as such, the managers must be capable of spending periods in isolation, with the ability to manage the associated logistics of food and supplies.

Position Descriptions:To view the detailed position descriptions for both roles, click here: Position Descriptions | Sanctuary Manager and Assistant Sanctuary Manager | Pungalina-Seven Emu

*If viewing this ad on an external job platform such as Seek and you encounter any issues downloading the Position Descriptions, please refer to our website.

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. 

Initial enquiries: employment@australianwildlife.org

Applications: To submit an application, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts to complete an online application form. Please specify which role you are applying for. 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.

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.