About Us

The Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is an Indigenous-led, member-based organisation that plays a vital role in keeping the desert connected and strengthening desert ranger programs. The IDA works with its members and partners to ensure that Indigenous rangers are enabled to collaboratively manage the Australian desert and empowered to realise their aspirations for community, culture, and Country.

We work with over 65 ranger groups from across the desert to support in our role ‘Keeping the Desert Connected’ to empower a united voice for the desert.

The Indigenous Land Management sector includes Traditional Owners, Indigenous Rangers and their land management organisations who undertake a wide range of cultural, environmental, and natural resource management activities. In Australia’s desert regions, which includes 22 Indigenous Protected Areas, these activities may include:

• cultural and ecological knowledge transfer initiatives
• fire management
• cultural site and heritage management
• feral animal and weed control
• threatened species monitoring and recovery projects
• fee for service economic activities 

About the role

The Ecologist will have the opportunity to work closely with Traditional Owners and rangers in the desert developing and implementing culturally informed programs for monitoring and managing threatened species and for accessing emerging biodiversity markets. They will work to ensure that these initiatives are Indigenous-led and aligned with the priorities of Traditional Owners.

The successful applicant will work closely with Indigenous Land Management Organisations and the IDA team, delivering programs across Australia’s desert regions. This is a field work focussed role. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to spend significant amounts of time working closely with Indigenous rangers on remote desert country.

Working closely with other members of the Desert Projects team, the Ecologist will:

1. Support Traditional Owners and rangers to implement significant species, nature markets and fire program activities.
2. Ensure program activities are Traditional Owner led and meet their priorities.
3. Build awareness and knowledge about Indigenous land management in the desert.
4. Actively participate as a member of the IDA team.

To be successful in this role, the Ecologist will:

• be committed to supporting an Indigenous-led, two-way science approach to conservation.
• have a high level of respect for Indigenous people and culture.
• have tertiary qualifications in a relevant scientific discipline.
• be an excellent communicator.
• work effectively in small teams.
• be highly organised, self-reliant, and able to work independently.
• be willing and able to undertake field work in extremely remote desert regions spending extended periods of time camping and in remote communities.

The position requires a strong commitment to working collaboratively with Indigenous people and community-based organisations. To do so, ideally you would have:

• an understanding of the challenges faced by organisations operating in a remote community.
• an understanding of the social, cultural, and economic context of remote Indigenous communities.
• experience in two-way communication and working in a cross-cultural context.

The role will be based in Alice Springs, Perth or another regional town with significant periods of extended remote travel into the desert.

What we offer

• Join a successful national for purpose organisation that is having a significant positive impact across the desert of Australia
• An unique and rewarding opportunity to work with Aboriginal communities looking after their Country
• Competitive remuneration package and excellent conditions (with salary packaging available)
• A dynamic culture of dedicated, passionate, and professional team members
• Additional paid leave during Christmas/New Year shut down period
• Employee Assistance Program for personal well-being