About the role

From fire ants to feral deer, Queensland experiences some of the worst from invasive species - one of the main causes of the state’s biodiversity and habitat loss.

Community organisers have a leadership role in developing networks of local people who are aware of the impact and willing to act to drive change to address the severe impact of invasive species on the environment. You will engage people in Queensland and northern New South Wales to develop Invasive Species Council campaigns, grow a supporter network and secure meaningful change.

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. You will grow this supporter network using online digital campaigning, peer-to-peer, public presentations and events.

Job description

The Community Organiser builds local networks and coordinates and runs events on the ground to mobilise the community and key stakeholders in Queensland and northern NSW.

The position will report to the Advocacy Manager - Northern and will initially be focussed on opportunities ahead of the Federal election and our ongoing fire ants campaign.

The position will collaborate with the Community Organiser (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 Queensland and northern NSW.
• 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 other Invasive Species Council campaigners to develop, organise and promote meaningful, innovative, and high-impact 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 ISC policies and procedures
• Attend staff meetings and training as required including a twice-yearly face-to-face meeting
• Other duties as determined by the Advocacy Manager from time to time.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in a campaigning, advocacy, 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, confidence approaching people in person, on the phone, and online
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and events and to recruit, manage, track and develop volunteers
• 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
• Experience fundraising in an advocacy or campaigning role
• Understanding of invasive species issues and/or environmental science
• Extensive network of local environmental, Indigenous and community organisations in Queensland and northern NSW.

Location: Remote home or shared office in the Brisbane or Gold Coast areas. Travel within Qld 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: ​​invasives.org.au/about-us/strategic-plan.

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

ISC is an equal-opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

More info

Contact Reece Pianta [email protected] for specific questions about the role.‬

A position description is attached.