• The position is based at a location to be agreed, with substantial time in the field at AWC properties and other sites.

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:

• Science - delivering a nationally-coherent program of ecological surveys with a focus on monitoring key conservation assets and threats, conducting applied research relevant to wildlife conservation, implementing conservation programs including reintroductions, and providing advice to management. AWC currently employs over 70 professional ecologists to deliver our conservation science program.
• Operations - delivering effective large-scale land management including fire management, feral animal control, weed control and infrastructure management.
• Fundraising - mobilising finance (primarily, tax deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of AWC conservation programs.

AWC manages two wildlife sanctuaries in the northern part of the Northern Territory: Pungalina-Seven Emu, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and Wongalara, east of Katherine. In addition, AWC implements conservation management on Bullo River Station, in the Victoria River district, Northern Territory, with planning underway for an ambitious ‘outside the fence’ reintroduction program. AWC also implements a conservation science program on the NAPCo pastoral estate, in western Queensland and the Northern Territory. These areas are currently encompassed by AWC’s North-East Region and are the focus for this role.

About the role:

The Wildlife Ecologist will be responsible for the implementation of AWC’s science program at one or more AWC properties and partnership sites in the West QLD and NT areas. The role has significant intellectual component, related to the design, analysis and reporting of elements of the science program, commensurate with the professional skills acquired in a PhD or equivalent. The role also has a substantial field work component.

Key duties:

Reporting to the Regional Ecologist, key duties of the Wildlife Ecologist include:

• Taking a lead role in the development, implementation and reporting of the science program at AWC properties in the region. Major tasks in the program include ecological monitoring, the reintroduction of locally-extinct species, and ecological research.
• Leading a team of AWC ecologists implementing the science program at one or more sites in the region.
• Working in an integrated way with AWC Operations staff to design and implement conservation and land management strategies at AWC properties in the region.
• Working effectively with key stakeholders, including AWC partners, government agencies, recovery teams, the conservation science sector, Indigenous groups and local communities, to scope, develop and implement AWC’s conservation program in the region.
• Communicating AWC’s science program to the stakeholders, the scientific community and the public through scientific publications, reports, presentations, participation in workshops, etc.
• Assisting with AWC’s fundraising activities.

Key relationships:

• The Wildlife Ecologist reports to the Regional Ecologist for the region, and ultimately to AWC’s Chief Science Officer.
• The Wildlife Ecologist may be responsible for day-to-day management of one or more AWC ecologists in the region, as delegated by the Regional Ecologist.
• The Wildlife Ecologist will work as part of a team with other AWC ecologists, Interns and volunteers in the region, and more broadly as part of AWC’s science team nationally.
• In AWC, the Science Team works in an integrated manner with the Operations Team to design and deliver effective land management, and to measure and report on ecological health.
• All AWC, staff help the Development and Communications teams present our conservation model to the public, as we rely heavily on philanthropic support to fund our work.

Critical competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of the conservation of Australian wildlife and ecosystems including the nature and functioning of the Australian biota; and 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 strategies (e.g., for fire, feral animal and weed management).
• 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.
• Commitment to conservation: you must have a strong drive to make a positive difference to the conservation of Australian wildlife.
• Getting things done: you need well-developed planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks in an effective manner to deliver your role.
• Leadership: you need strong leadership and team-building skills, including the ability to manage and coordinate a team of staff and volunteers working in a remote area.
• Collaboration: you will want to work as part of a high-performing team of conservation ecologists, contributing what you can and learning from the skills and ideas of your colleagues. More generally, you need to have good relationship-building and collaborative skills. You need to be willing to learn from the experience and world-view of the diverse range of stakeholders involved in the program, including Operations managers, AWC partners, Traditional Owners and the broader community.
• Scientific communication skills including 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.
• Competence in financial management, paperwork and compliance: the ability to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to manage financial resources, and to ensure contracted obligations are met and reported on in accordance with the contract requirements.
• Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and problem-solve, developing practical solutions with the resources at hand, and/or the ability to obtain additional resources if required.
• Willingness to travel as required to conduct the requirements of the position.

Qualifications:

A PhD in ecology or a related discipline, or equivalent (e.g., a relevant higher degree and substantial professional experience in conservation).

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

Valid Australian 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.

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 alone. 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.

Position Description:

A detailed position description for this role is attached, or click here.

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: [email protected] using the subject line: Wildlife Ecologist - Flying Fox enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications: To submit an application, click ‘Apply Now’ 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:

• Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply. Sponsorship is not available.
• Applicants will under go relevant pre-employment checks, which may include an online medical and a values based assessment.
• 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 here.. 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.