• Reports To: Marlpa Purlkanya
• Location: Pila Nature Reserve, Gibson Desert, WA
• Employment Type: 5 Weeks on and 4 weeks Off with 4-day handover and travel

Position Overview

Warnpurru Aboriginal Corporation is seeking two experienced and skilled officers (preferably one male and one female) to support the development of the Looking After Pila Program. This drive-in, drive-out role focuses on the Pila (formerly Gibson Desert) Nature Reserve and its surroundings. The Patjarr Community serves as the gateway to the Nature Reserve and the base for the program.

Key Details:

• Accommodation and Schedule: A 2 bedroom house is supplied, one room for each support person, and this space will be shared by both support people in the 2 day handover at the beginning and end of each 5 week swing during the field season of March to November.The roster includes 5 weeks on (with a 2-day staff handover at the beginning and end of each period), 2 days of travel each way, and 4 weeks off. Terms are negotiable with successful candidates.
• Job Sharing: This model provides ample downtime for successful candidates. There is also an opportunity for a couple to take on both roles and be based at Patjarr together for 5-week swings.
• Team Collaboration: The positions are part of a collaborative team providing coordination, logistical, governance, and anthropological support to the Looking After Pila Program.
• This new employment model recognises the remote nature of the workplace, aiming to provide maximum on-ground support while balancing the need for recuperation and ongoing social connections.

What We Offer:

• Initially, up to a 2-year contract with possible extension.
• A 9-week cycle with 5 weeks on (on country), including handover and travel time, and 4 weeks off (unpaid).
• A 2-bedroom home in Patjarr (one room for each employee) to be shared during staff handover times.
• A competitive salary to be negotiated based on skills and experience.
• Salary packaging is available.
• Office-based/working from home role during the hot season (December to February).

The Role:

Working closely with Warnpurru Leaders, Lead Rangers, individual Rangers, and Cultural Educators, the
key responsibilities include:

• Mentoring and development support for Warnpurru members in cultural land management and other duties.
• Supporting effective planning and delivery of Warnpurru cultural land management projects and activities.
• Building financial and physical resources for the Looking After Pila Program.
• Participating as a member of the Looking After Pila Program leadership team.
• The role involves working with Warnpurru Elders and Leaders to develop and implement strategic and operational plans, create rules and tools for safe and effective program operation, and support individual and team skills development plans. A Perth-based team supports this role.

Responsibilities:

• Mentoring and development support for Lead Rangers in preparing and implementing annual project and activity plans and associated budgets.
• Supervising and supporting the Warnpurru Ranger and Cultural Educator team.
• Supporting the delivery of operational work plan activities, including fire, feral, threatened species and weed management; cultural tourism; cultural knowledge transmission projects; and 2-way science and learning activities.
• Supporting Lead Rangers and Warnpurru leaders in establishing relationships and partnerships, resources, policies, and strategies; identifying and implementing projects; and developing a Warnpurru Country Plan to protect cultural, natural, and economic assets.

Selection Criteria:

Essential:

• Experience in Indigenous cultural land management, cultural geography, or strong community development and practical skills relevant to ranger/cultural land management activities.
• Experience in mentoring, training, and development of culturally driven Indigenous ranger teams.
• Experience in relationship development, collaboration, and working effectively with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate and find practical solutions.
• Ability to work productively with limited supervision in complex and remote situations.
• Willingness to engage in a multilingual and multicultural environment.
• Willingness to work for extended periods in a remote regional location and undertake fieldwork in remote areas of the Pila Nature Reserve and surrounds.
• High-level organisational skills and ability to consistently follow through on tasks promptly.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
• Competence in using computers and Microsoft Office applications.
• Current C Class manual driver’s license and competence in using a manual 4WD vehicle in remote and off-road conditions.

Required for Appointment:

• A current First Aid certificate or a commitment to undertake training.
• Ability to obtain current Police and Working with Vulnerable People Clearances.
• If you have the relevant skills, experience, and drive to work with us to develop an innovative and dynamic cultural land management program, we would love to hear from you.

A full Position Description is attached.

How to Apply:

Please click Apply Now to submit your application. 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For further information about the role, please contact Warnpurru’s Marlpa Purlkanya, Ian Rawlings, directly on Mob 0409 200 905.