About AWC:

The delivery of AWC’s mission - the effective conservation of Australian wildlife and their habitats - 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. 

OneAWC ‘a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders. A group of people who all understand AWC’s mission, vision and their role in contributing to the achievement of mission and vision, all connected and working towards a common purpose, guided by a set of shared values’. The delivery of AWC’s mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other.

About the role:

In Central-South Australia, AWC currently operates at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Northern Territory, and five wildlife sanctuaries in South Australia: Yookamurra, Buckaringa, Dakalanta,  Western Rivers Refuge and Kalamurina.

Covering almost 262,000 hectares, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Australia’s largest non-government protected areas, offering beautiful scenery and a diverse mix of arid habitats. It is a renowned birdwatching destination, and is a hotspot for central Australian wildlife.

Major tasks in the science program include ecological monitoring, the reintroduction of locally extinct species and applied ecological research. The position requires well-developed skills in wildlife survey, animal handling and the conduct of applied ecological research; and a capacity to work as part of a team of ecologists in remote locations. The position will be based at Newhaven with field work conducted at Newhaven and other AWC wildlife sanctuaries.

Reporting to the Regional Ecologist, the key duty of the Field Ecologist is to implement AWC’s science program in the central south. The 2 staff stream (operations and science) work together in an integrated manner to design, implement and measure the effectiveness of land management strategies. This role also works with other staff members, interns, and a range of research students and volunteers.

Key duties of the Field Ecologist are to: 

• Implement AWC’s science program, including:
  • the measurement of ecological health 
  • the reintroduction of regionally-extinct mammals
  • the conduct of research relevant to the conservation of wildlife. 
• Work in an integrated way with AWC operations staff to plan and implement conservation strategies. 
• Work effectively with a range of stakeholders including government, the scientific community, the local community, Indigenous interests and AWC supporters in implementing and promoting AWC’s program
• Assist with AWC’s communication and fundraising activities.

The position requires well-developed skills in wildlife survey and the conduct of applied ecological research; and a capacity to work as part of a team of ecologists and operations staff in a remote location. The position will primarily involve field work on AWC’s sanctuaries in central-south Australia.

Critical competencies:

1. Getting things done: you need good planning and organisational skills, including an ability to prioritise and execute a tasks in an efficient manner. 
2. Working with people: you need good interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You will need to be able to get on with other people from diverse backgrounds to enable you to live and work in remote locations, and to manage small teams in remote locations, as required. 
3. Good knowledge of the conservation of Australian wildlife and ecosystems including:
   • the nature and functioning of the Australian biota; and 
   • major threats to wildlife and their habitats and how these threats can be mitigated 
4.  Good ecological survey and animal handling skills including:
   • knowledge of ecological survey, monitoring and research methods; 
   • well-developed skills in animal trapping, identification and handling, and ideally other wildlife survey skills; and
   • capacity to conduct other biological surveys (eg, vegetation surveys).
5. Competence in analysis of ecological data and the use of computer software at a level commensurate with the position.
6. Good communication skills including the capacity to draft scientific reports and to communicate science and conservation messages to a general audience.
7. Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
8. Living in the bush: Previous experience of working and living in a rural area and the ability to work in an isolated small team environment. 
9. Willingness to travel as required for the position.

Qualifications:

An Honours degree in ecology or a related field (or a degree and equivalent experience).

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

• A valid manual driver’s license with 4WD experience in remote conditions.
• First aid certificate.
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC).

The position will be based at Newhaven. The position will also be expected to work across AWC sanctuaries and partnership sites, primarily in Central South Australia, as directed by the Regional Ecologist. The position involves a mix of field work, including in remote locations, and office work.

The roles are based at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, approx. 4.5 hours’ drive north west of Alice Springs. Due to the shared accommodation available on-site, the Newhaven vacancies are open to two people who know each other and are comfortable sharing living arrangements.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is offered as an initial 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential for extension or ongoing employment.

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Field Ecologist | Newhaven

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.