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. 

AWC’s work is guided by the following values. At AWC, we are:

• Accountable – taking ownership of our actions and outcomes
• Informed – working together to acquire and apply evidence, knowledge and experience
• Respectful – demonstrating care, recognition and integrity 
• Dedicated – committed to delivering effective outcomes, with resilience and tenacity
• Innovative – applying creative thinking for effective solutions
• Sustainable – delivering long-term financial and ecological viability. 

About the role:

The position of Operations Manager reports directly to the Regional Operations Manager and is primarily responsible for managing operations on AWC’s Charnley River - Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary (CRAR), residing on Wilinggin Country and the implementation of AWC’s high profile partnerships program with the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation across their Indigenous Protected Area under Exclusive Native Title. The Operations Manager is responsible in collaboration with the respective Senior Ecologists and Wilinggin for delivering effective conservation against a diverse program of work and deliverables on the Charnley River - Artesian Range (301,000 hectares) and Wilinggin Partnership Area (1,793,000 hectares).  

Success in this position (i.e., effective conservation) will be measured by reference to key metrics which track: 

• The populations (or other metric) of indicator species.  

• The extent to which threatening processes are reduced including: 

• reducing ecological impact, occurrence and extent of wildfires; 

• reducing the density/population of feral animals; and 

• reducing the area of occupancy of invasive weeds.   

• Partner collaboration, satisfaction and engagement 

• The cost at which outcomes are delivered (our aim is to deliver the highest outcomes at the lowest cost). 

• Corporate and program compliance 

In order to achieve success, you will need to manage and direct resources efficiently and in accordance with an approved budget and operating plan, informed by science-based strategies.  The level of on-ground activity (feral animal control, weed control, fire management and partnership engagement) is measured and reported on a regular basis.   

You will collaborate in leading the CRAR and Wilinggin Conservation Teams, working with the Senior Ecologists to ensure tight integration between the land management, science and partnership activities as part of a national AWC approach to conservation.   

Leading engagement with key partners, stakeholders, AWC supporters, and contributing to the organisation’s communications program, are also critical functions of this role.  In this respect, you need to be a strong advocate for AWC’s conservation model and achievements.   

Critical competencies:

• Exceptional planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner.   

• Excellent people management skills, including proven ability leading, recruiting, developing, managing and coordination of remote teams of staff, rangers, contractors and volunteers. 

• Good relationship-building, collaborative, communication and interpersonal skills with a diverse range of stakeholders including colleagues, Indigenous partners and communities, pastoralists, Government agencies, scientific community and other conservation and land management organisations.  

• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience developing and delivering land programs, in collaboration with partners, including:   

  • Planning and hands-on delivery of planned burning programs and wildfire suppression, as directed by the Regional Fire Manger;  

  • Planning and delivery of feral eradication programs across unfenced landscapes; 

  • The planning and delivery of weed management programs. 

• Infrastructure and Asset Management: demonstrated knowledge and practical experience delivering asset management including: 

  • The planning and delivery of major remote capital works and infrastructure projects; 

  • The planning and delivery of repairs and maintenance works for major infrastructure, plant and equipment; 

  • The ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment (generators, pumps, power tools etc) and perform routine repairs, including mechanical, and maintenance; and 

  • 4WD experience in relevant off-road conditions is essential. 

• Financial management: demonstrated ability to help deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to manage financial resources including: 

  • Developing and operating within an agreed budget and operation plan for the management area; 

  • Coding and tracking expenditure; and 

  • Preparing written financial and operational reports.

• Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to maintain records, manage data, write letters and reports, manage permit/authorization processes and undertake contract management.    

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

• Information technology:  ability to use standard business software packages (including Word, email, Excel, MS Project) and GIS. Willingness to lead adoption of new software solutions including Fulcrum, Monday.com and Asset Panda. 

• A passion for conservation: a passion for, and strong demonstrated interest in, conservation. 

• Willingness to travel.   

Qualifications:

• 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. 

• Demonstrated experience in delivering ‘on-ground’ results in land management. 

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

• 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. 

• Valid firearms license (highly desirable) 

PLEASE NOTE: The execution of tasks associated with the position will involve fieldwork in remote locations and away from an established field base, often in isolated locations and working alone. A significant amount of operations and land management activities in the Kimberley are undertaken in light aircraft and Robinson R44 helicopters. The working environment will be predominantly outdoors and often in the extremes of weather – hot and wet and/or dry, especially when conducting fire and land management operations. 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 periods of office work, planning and supervising projects. The successful applicant must be physically capable of performing these activities in the locations required to carry out the inherent role responsibilities. 

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Operations Manager CRAR WAC JD (if viewing on an external website such as SEEK, please go to our website to obtain the 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 a national police clearance, 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.