• Employment Status: Part time (up to maximum 0.6 FTE) – fixed term contract to June 30 2024 with a possible extension subject to funding.
• Renumeration: Pro rata $70,000 + Super (10.5%)
• Location: Preferred location Southeastern NSW. Other locations may be considered on a case-by-case scenario.
• Qualifications/Experience: Relevant qualifications and/or equivalent demonstrated experience to the environment sector. Experience in delivering community-based projects/grant programs, and experience with the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation sector an advantage.
• Commencement Date: ASAP (most likely May/June)

Project Background

Sarcoptic mange is a debilitating disease that without appropriate treatment most often results in a prolonged painful death. Bare-nosed (common) wombats Vombatus ursinus, which is the most common wombat found in New South Wales, is bearing the brunt of this disease throughout most of south-eastern Australia.

The NSW Government, through the Department of Planning and Environment National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has committed $2.8 million over two-years from 2022-24 to implement a rapid response program to help curb wombat mange and undertake research into the effectiveness of treatments, i.e., the Curb Wombat Mange Program (The Program)

The Program has two main components:

a) $2 million in community grants (Grant) to the volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector and Aboriginal community organisations to purchase and use the necessary equipment and approved chemicals needed to treat mange in free-living wombats.

b) $500,000 in research funding to research institutions to investigate the prevalence and distribution of mange in NSW and the effectiveness of mange control methods.

FNPW has agreed to deliver the two-year $2 million community grants component, in collaboration with NPWS to support implementation of the rapid response program (the Grants). This is a devolved grant program providing funding to the New South Wales volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector, Aboriginal community organisations and other holders of an applicable Biodiversity Conservation Licence to purchase and use the approved chemicals and equipment needed to treat mange in free-living wombats.

The purpose of the Grants are to:

• Increase the capacity of the community via wildlife rehabilitation providers (groups and independents), Aboriginal community organisations and other organisations who are holders of an applicable Biodiversity Conservation Licence (BCL) from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to effectively implement the Curb Wombat Mange Treatment Program (the Program),
• Building on existing programs associated with treatment of manage in wombats in situ,
• Establishing treatments in new areas,
• Encourage growth of membership in the treatment of wombat mange,
• Building understanding and capacity to treat mange in wombats,
• Enable grant recipients to safely implement and comply with the APVMA permit requirements,
• Reduce the financial burden of wombat mange control on volunteers who participate in the project,
• Improve and optimise animal welfare outcomes for wombats, and,
• Effectively monitor and report on the success of mange control applications.
• innovate at every opportunity.

The Curb Wombat Mange Coordinator - FNPW, under supervision of the Chief Programs Officer, with support from the National Program Coordinator, will be responsible for to providing essential operational support undertaking project coordination for the project.