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

Reporting to the Senior Ecologist (NST), the Wildlife Ecologist will contribute to AWC’s science program in the National Science Team. This position sits within the Threatened Species and Conservation Planning team and will play a key role in the delivery and implementation of AWC’s conservation planning for threatened and priority species, relating to extant and reintroduced populations across AWC properties and partnership sites, and support AWC’s reintroduction program and threatened species management more broadly.

In addition, the role will be expected to contribute to the broader tasks of the National Science program, as requested by the Senior Ecologist and National Science Team Manager, related to the development and review of strategies to prioritise AWC’s acquisitions, partnerships, research, conservation land management, Ecohealth monitoring and evaluation, and climate change adaptation.

The Wildlife Ecologist must be strongly motivated to make a substantial difference in nature conservation, contribute to the development of the private nature conservation sector, and be willing to help develop and promote AWC’s conservation model, with particular application to the social and environmental context of the region.

Critical Competencies

• A demonstrated commitment to wildlife conservation, evidenced through work, education and other relevant activities.
• Experience working with threatened species including an understanding of the drivers behind species declines and conservation planning strategies to facilitate threatened species management.
• Advanced knowledge of the conservation of Australian wildlife and ecosystems including the nature and functioning of the Australian biota; major threats to native wildlife and their habitats; and how these threats can be mitigated. Ideally, you will have experience working with land managers to design applied conservation land management strategies.
• Excellent ecological field and research skills including high level knowledge of the ecological literature; advanced knowledge of experimental design and sampling methods; strong skills in vertebrate ecology and sound skills in field ecology generally; advanced skills in statistical analysis of ecological data and the use of computer software packages relevant to the position.
• Getting things done: you need well-developed planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a range of tasks in an effective manner.
• Leadership: you need strong leadership and team-building skills, including the ability to manage and coordinate a team of staff and volunteers working in remote areas.
• Collaboration: you need good relationship-building and collaborative skills to perform your role as part of a team of conservation ecologists. You must be willing to contribute your expertise, and learn from the skills and ideas of your colleagues. You must be willing to engage with the experience and world-view of a diverse range of stakeholders involved in conservation management including AWC Operations managers and other staff, AWC partners, Traditional Owners and the broader community. 
• Scientific communication skills: you will have a well-developed capacity to write and review scientific reports and publications, compose funding applications and reports, and communicate science and conservation messages to a general audience.
• Financial management, paperwork and compliance: you will have the ability to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to manage financial resources, and to ensure contracted obligations are met, commensurate with the requirements of the position.
• Resourcefulness: you will have the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
• Travel and time in the field: you must be willing to travel away from base and conduct field work to meet the requirements of the position.

Qualifications and Experience

• A PhD in ecology, conservation or a related discipline.
• Experience working in conservation or a related field would be highly regarded.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training

• A valid manual driver’s licence is essential as you will need to be competent in driving a 4WD in field conditions.

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Wildlife Ecologist

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. Please note that the cost of the police check is the responsibility of the applicant.
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.