This is an exciting opportunity to work with Ngarinyin people to support the management the spectacular natural and cultural values of Wilinggin Country in the remote central north Kimberley region of Western Australia. This Country comprises 6.3 million hectares of Wanjina Wunggurr Wilinggin Native Title Area and includes extensive Exclusive Possession Native Title determined land and the 2.4 million hectares of our Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), part of Australia’s National Reserve System (see map below).

Wilinggin country is mostly land-locked, apart from two small saltwater areas: on Walcott Inlet and Prince Frederick Harbour. The country extends from the limestone Devonian reef of the Napier Range and the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges in the West across to the Durack, Saw and Cockburn Rangers in the East. Mitchell Plateau and Drysdale River National Parks and Carson River Station form the northern border, while to the south Ngarinyin country is part of the Fitzroy River catchment and extends as far south as Marion Downs and Glenroy Stations and the northern edges of the Kija Tablelands.

The Wilinggin Operations Manager (WOM) is a new position that will be working for Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) delivering the Wilinggin Healthy Country program by working closely with our healthy Country teams consisting of the Wunggurr and Nyaliga rangers and our emerging woman rangers as well as other traditional owners across Wilinggin Country. Ngarinyin traditional owners maintain a strong connection to Country and continue to care for it with the vision to look after both the natural and cultural values of this country in alignment with Wilinggin’s Healthy Country Plan (HCP), supported by the operation of sustainable businesses. The WOM will lead WACs healthy country teams in their delivery of on Country activities in line with these aspirations.

Foremost we are looking for a dynamic individual with excellent relationship management skills combined with well-developed expertise in project, financial, logistics and compliance management. Knowledge and skills in indigenous engagement and land management are important. You should be able to build bridges of common understanding, enabling and supporting the continued growth in Wilinggin healthy country teams and their capabilities.

In return, we offer you the opportunity to live in one of Australia’s most stunning landscapes where you will be able to work closely with Ngarinyin elders, helping to care for Country.

Criteria for all Applicants to Address

Essential:

1. Demonstrated proficiency in leading concurrent remote area projects including all planning, logistics, progress assessments, compliance, acquittals and reporting.
2. Practical proficiency in consensus building, participatory methods of governance and mentoring team members.
3. Demonstrated proficiency in small corporation governance including health and safety, training and asset management systems.
4. Demonstrated experience and confidence working with Aboriginal communities, specifically knowledge of Aboriginal social and cultural challenges in Northern Australia, with a commitment to community empowerment and development.
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to write reports for a range of audiences and to communicate sensitively and effectively with a range of indigenous and non-indigenous stakeholders.
6. Qualifications in project management, community development, natural resource management or related fields
7. Current valid driver’s licence, police and working with children checks or ability to obtain them.

Desirable:

1. Technical skills and qualifications relevant to ranger programs (i.e. geographical information systems, Fulcrum, land management including weeds and feral animals, biodiversity monitoring, four wheel drive operations, first aid etc).
2. Experience working remotely with Indigenous land managers.
3. Experience with community development in a cross-cultural setting.

The Ops Manager is accountable for:

• Leading the Wilinggin healthy country teams.
• Management of all aspects of Wilinggin land management and related on Country activities.
• Maintaining and developing Wilinggin land management partnerships.
• Continued implementation and development of the biodiversity, weeds, ferals, monitoring, infrastructure and asset maintenance plans for Wilinggin Country.
• The land management team safety culture, OHS system, implementation and improvement.
• Financial management and reporting for land management activities.
• Land management team compliance to WAC policies and procedures.

A position description is attached.