About the role

From backyard weed escapes to feral deer, cats and diseases like myrtle rust, invasive species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and the leading cause of animal extinction in Australia.

The Community Organiser position will play a central role in building the network of local people who are aware of the impact and willing to take action to drive change to address the damage caused by invasive species on the environment. You will engage people in New South Wales to participate in Invasive Species Council campaigns, with the potential to engage communities in the ACT, Victoria and South Australia as opportunities arise.

You will organise and mobilise volunteers for boots-on-the-ground events like community briefings, market stalls, MP visits, and snap actions. You will also connect, support and empower volunteer leaders in their communities. Some of this work will be delivered through building coalitions with partner organisations.

Job description

The Community Organiser builds local networks and coordinates and runs events on the ground to mobilise the community and key stakeholders focused in New South Wales.

The position will report to the Advocacy Manager and Strategy Lead and will be focussed on building community awareness, support and action in New South Wales to support Invasive Species Council campaigns. Focus areas will include increased funding for invasive species management, banning the sale of known weed species, and improving the management of feral horses, cats and deer.

The position will collaborate with the Community Organiser (Qld and northern NSW) to grow the capacity of the Invasive Species Council to engage with and activate communities across the country.

Responsibilities

• Mobilise the community and key stakeholders to take action to influence political decisions about invasive species.
• Grow the number of volunteers and supporters engaged with Invasive Species Council’s campaigns in New South Wales, with other Southeast jurisdictions a stretch goal.
• Develop and run regular public events including meetings, market stalls and MP visits.
• Raise public awareness about the environmental impact of invasive species.
• Work closely with the Advocacy Manager and Strategy Lead and other Invasive Species Council campaigners to develop, organise and promote meaningful, innovative, and high-impact real world actions and events.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships, networks and engagement with stakeholders, decision makers and volunteers contributing to our work.
• Proactively contribute to a positive, collaborative and values driven culture with the team and organisation.
• Adhere to Invasive Species Council policies and procedures
• Attend staff meetings and training as required including a bi-annual face to face meeting.
• Other duties as determined by the Advocacy Manager and Strategy Lead from time to time.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• At least two years’ experience in a campaigning or organising role, with a track record of successfully engaging and mobilising people and stakeholders to take campaign actions.
• Strong communication skills: Experience motivating people to take action, ability to write clear and concise content and comfortable approaching people in person, on the phone, and digitally.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and events, recruit and manage volunteers, and to work semi-autonomously.
• Motivated by a passion to achieve positive outcomes for nature.
• A current driver's licence, access to a vehicle and willingness to travel to events.

Desirable:

• Understanding of political processes and knowledge of and experience in campaigning to achieve change.
• Experience in engaging with traditional and social media.
• Understanding of invasive species issues and/or environmental science.
• Extensive network of local environmental, Indigenous and community organisations in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

Location: Remote home or shared office. Travel within NSW will be required.

About the conservation team

The Invasive Species Council conservation team aims to tackle some of our most challenging invasive species threats and drive systemic reform to Australia’s biosecurity system and environmental laws.

The values of the conservation team:

• We are relentless in pursuing outcomes and having impact.
• We are not scared to fail and learn from the experience.
• We own and drive the work that we do.
• We are creative and open minded.
• We connect to and are motivated by our passion for nature.

About the Invasive Species Council

You will be joining a team that advocates for nature, is committed to science, is fearless and persistent and is collaborative with first Australians.

The Invasive Species Council is a non-government donor-funded organisation formed in 2002 that seeks better laws and policies to protect the Australian environment from invasive plants, animals and diseases. Over the last couple of years, the organisation has embarked on a ten-year journey of growth as we make the 2020s the ‘decade of biosecurity’.

Invasive species have been the main driver of environmental loss of Australia’s native animals since colonisation and remain one of the main threats to the future survival of all our unique wildlife on land and sea. Unless we take action, work with others and speak out, Australia’s biodiversity crisis will only worsen.

The Invasive Species Council has made numerous interventions that have reduced the environmental impacts from invasive species. Some recent campaign wins include:

• $593 million over four years to eradicate red fire ants from Australia.
• Overturning the protection of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park and the Australian Alps
• More than $100 million for national preparedness for the H5N1 bird flu threat to wildlife
• The establishment of the national office of environmental biosecurity
• Development and implementation of a national feral deer action plan
• $30.8 million to eradicate yellow crazy ants from Cairns and Townsville
• An additional 100 national parks pest and weed officers in NSW

We work remotely from home in many different parts of Australia. Support for your development will be a priority.

Our 2022-2030 Strategic Plan can be found here: ​​https://invasives.org.au/about-us/strategic-plan/

More details about all our campaigns can be found on our website: https://invasives.org.au/

More info

Applications close: As advertised. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Contact Imogen Ebsworth on [email protected] using the subject line: Community Organiser, NSW enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0488 767 237 for further information about the role.‬

A position description is attached.