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

Are you passionate about conservation and making a real difference for Australia’s natural ecosystems? AWC, a global leader in conservation, is looking for a Botanist to join our Vegetation Survey Team.

About AWC:

AWC is a pragmatic global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Guided by science, AWC delivers measurable conservation impacts at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species.

At AWC we are inspired by the unparalleled richness of Australia’s wildlife and we are united by our determination to protect its unique animals and landscapes. It is our mission to effectively conserve all Australian wildlife and habitats and our vision is for a world where Australia’s biodiversity is valued and effectively conserved by an engaged community.

The delivery of AWC’s mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other as a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders. 

About the role:

Australian Wildlife Conservancy is looking to recruit a botanist with an Honours degree in ecology, botany, or a related field, and a strong passion for pursuing a career in applied vegetation ecology and botany. This is a very rare opportunity to become a part of AWC’s nationally based vegetation team.

Reporting to AWC's Vegetation Ecologist, the role will also work closely with a Senior Botanist, both of whom bring advanced expertise in plant identification, vegetation survey and mapping. This role will significantly contribute to the implementation of AWC’s nationwide vegetation monitoring and mapping programs, whilst working towards AWC’s overall conservation and land management aims.

AWC’s vegetation monitoring program informs AWC’s Ecohealth reporting by monitoring trends in vegetation structure and composition. The program also conducts research on vegetation responses to mammal reintroductions, with findings published in scientific literature. In addition, the vegetation team contributes to weed management strategies and supports Science and Operations staff by providing expertise in plant identification and vegetation monitoring techniques at fauna survey sites. The role includes additional opportunities to contribute more broadly to aspects of AWC’s science program. 

This role includes a significant field-based component, taking place across a wide range of vegetation communities and biomes such as semi-arid woodlands and shrublands of inland areas; high-rainfall remote savannas of the Kimberley; species-rich heath and woodland complexes of south-west Western Australia; and rainforests of the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Critical competencies:

1. Considerable experience in the field in a variety of Australian vegetation communities and a good understanding of landscape ecology.
2. A very strong interest in plants including well-developed identification skills.
3. A strong desire to protect ecosystems from degradation including a field-based understanding of the impacts of weed invasion, feral fauna and climate change.
4. A drive to answer questions about landscape functioning, including plant-fauna interactions.
5. The desire to work as part of a diverse team of botanists, conservation ecologists, land managers, traditional owners, NPWS partners, interns and volunteers; contributing what you can and learning from the skills, ideas and world-views of your colleagues
6. An ability to diligently collect and manage data in the field and in the office and a natural ability for learning statistical analyses.  
7. Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and problem-solve, developing practical solutions with the resources at hand.
8. Living in the bush: the field component of the role will be conducted in remote locations. Ideally, you will have experience in living and working in the bush, otherwise the interest and capacity to do so.
9. Willingness to travel as required to conduct the requirements of the position.

Qualifications:

• A degree in botany, ecology or a related discipline, with honours. The level of appointment will depend on the qualifications and experience of the appointee. 

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

• Valid Australian manual driver’s licence. You will need to be able to drive a manual 4WD vehicle in difficult conditions. Training in relevant competencies may be required. 
• Remote First Aid (Desirable)   

Inherent requirements of the role: The execution of tasks associated with the position will involve fieldwork in remote locations and can sometimes be away from an established field base, often in isolated locations working in small teams. The working environment will include extremes of weather – hot and wet and/or dry. The position can be physically demanding and may require walking and climbing over rough terrain, heavy muscular activity including lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling loads, bending, climbing and driving a variety of vehicles. In addition, the applicant will conduct office work, planning and supervising projects. The successful applicant must be physically capable of performing these activities in the locations required in order to carry out the inherent role responsibilities. 

• PLEASE NOTE: This is a 2 year full time contract, with the successful candidate to be based from an agreed upon location. 

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Botanist Job Description 

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. 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 undergo 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, you 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.