• Leading community-led conservation organisation
• Full-time ongoing permanent role
• Landsborough, QLD

The Company

Our client, Barung Landcare was one of the early Landcare groups in Australia, established in 1989 and became incorporated in 1990 at the beginning of the Decade of Landcare Plan. The name ‘Barung’ comes from a local Aboriginal language word for a species of Rat-kangaroo which was common throughout the area covered by Barung Landcare.

Based in Maleny, Barung Landcare is a leading community-led organisation working to develop ethical solutions for a sustainable future. They support local and regional community empowerment to conserve and enhance the rich diversity of natural resources of the Blackall Range and surrounds.

The Role

The primary aim of this role is to oversee field operations within the Barung Landcare Natural Area Services unit, working out of their Landsborough depot and production nursery, with a focus on ecological land restoration. You'll be responsible for executing high-quality on-ground natural area services aimed at rejuvenating and preserving the natural environment. This involves integrating cutting-edge techniques and the latest scientific knowledge to fulfill the organisation’s vision of promoting sustainable landcare practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee ecological land restoration projects, including rehabilitation, restoration, revegetation, and habitat management, to safeguard natural values and assets.
• Develop project plans, specifications, documentation, and cost estimates for restoration projects, ensuring compliance with approved plans, guidelines, and safety standards.
• Manage implementation of works programs, allocate resources, and monitor progress to ensure timely and budget-compliant completion.
• Utilise organisational systems for project management, field operations, workplace health and safety, and incident response.
• Supervise a dispersed team, set performance standards, develop staff capability, and provide feedback.
• Foster a strong safety culture, adhere to safety protocols, and comply with relevant regulations to ensure personnel and public safety.

Key Accountabilities

Operations

• Provide project planning assistance, cost estimates, tender submissions, and budget monitoring.
• Contribute to planning and developing existing and new works and maintenance programs.

People & Organisational Management

• Allocate projects to field staff and coordinate their schedules.
• Supervise field staff, mentor their skill development, and manage their performance.
• Assist Field Supervisors in determining work priorities and participate in meetings regarding project resourcing.
• Support the Natural Area Services Manager in financial and human resource management.
• Provide staff leadership and foster a sense of common purpose.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective communication with clients, contractors, and suppliers.

Financial Management

• Monitor works and maintenance expenditure for effective budgetary management.

Workplace Health & Safety

• Maintain the Integrated Management System and safe working procedures.
• Conduct site and risk assessments, act as the Workplace Health & Safety Officer, and lead incident investigations.

About You

You will be passionate about restoring, protecting, and promoting native biodiversity to the Blackall Range and surrounding areas. Additionally, you will be equally capable as an inspiring people leader as you are in your ecological land restoration know-how. Lastly you will be committed to innovation, exploring new methods, operational effectiveness and imparting knowledge.

Required Skills and Proficiencies

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in ecological land restoration
• Demonstrated supervisory and team leadership skills for field and operational activities
• Proficiency in cost estimation, budgeting, planning, and programming
• Strong SEQ plant identification skills across native and exotic species in various ecosystems
• Experience with diverse ecological restoration approaches and revegetation practices
• High level of physical fitness
• Commitment to promoting a safety culture and adhering to safe work practices
• Clear communication, strong interpersonal skills, and report writing ability
• Current, valid Commercial Operator's License for ground application of herbicide
• Construction Safety White Card
• Current Manual Driver's License
• First Aid & CPR Certificate
• Chainsaw 1 & 2 Certificate

Please note this role is a physically active role with outdoor/fieldwork required.

The Rewards and Culture

You’ll step into a role that’s as much about team spirit as it is about environmental care. You will not only contribute to conserving natural spaces, but also work with knowledgeable colleagues who share your passion. With a diverse range of projects, and a wide range of clients including councils, environmental groups, NRMs, private clients and landowners, staff have the opportunity to experience different methods and types of work, in a range of sites and settings.

Barung Landcare also offers a flexible working environment, encourages ongoing professional development and opportunities to continue to grow and learn.

Tools of trade provided include laptop, use of a company vehicle, mobile phone & PPE.