About AWC:

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global leader in conservation, providing hope for Australia’s wildlife with a science-informed, land management partnership approach which delivers high impact results. We protect endangered wildlife in iconic regions such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. 

AWC's mission - to deliver effective conservation for all native animal species and their habitats - is achieved by:

• Operations - delivering effective large-scale land management including fire management, feral animal control, weed control and infrastructure management. 
• Science - delivering the largest national biological survey program with a focus on measuring the population of indicator species and the extent of threatening processes as well as conducting research on key issues such as feral cat control. 
• Fundraising - mobilising finance (primarily, tax-deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of field updates from around the AWC estate.  

About the role:

Since the extensive wildfires during the summer of 2019/2020, AWC has been working with the local conservation organisation, Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife (KILfW), and concerned landholders, to help protect the critically endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart and other threatened species.

Covering 440,000 hectares, Kangaroo Island is a renowned biodiversity hotspot, and natural haven for several threatened and endemic species, and is best known for its rugged landscapes and close encounters with native wildlife.

AWC and KILfW protected the Kangaroo Island Dunnart by establishing a safe haven within a feral cat-proof fence in the Western River area of Kangaroo Island. The refuge offers respite for many other fauna & flora recovering after the fires, including the Kangaroo Island Echidna, Bassian Thrush, Western Whipbird, Heath Monitor, Southern Emu-wren and Southern Brown Bandicoot.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, AWC is seeking an experienced conservation land management practitioner based on Kangaroo Island to support the Kangaroo Island/Western River Refuge project in various conservation land management, asset and infrastructure programs. 

With the guidance and support of the Regional Operations Manager, the successful applicant will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities outlined in an approved Conservation Works Plan.  As such, the candidate will require knowledge of and be able to demonstrate experience in the delivery of land management programs for conservation including fire management, weed and feral animal control. The role of the Kangaroo Island Operations Manager extends to a broad range of tasks including asset and infrastructure maintenance. As such, practical skills in relation to asset and infrastructure repair and maintenance, and the ability to use, a wide range of plant and equipment are essential. 

You will need to be capable of working with a wide range of people including private landholders, land managers, scientists, students, volunteers, visitors, neighbouring landholders, and government officials, and will be committed to helping AWC develop and implement a new model for conservation. This project is a unique opportunity to join Australia’s largest non-government conservation organisation and help shape the future of private-sector conservation in Australia.  

Critical competencies:

1. Getting things done:  you need exceptional planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner. 
2. Managing staff:  you need excellent people management skills, including the leadership of, and managing and coordinating remote teams of Operational Staff, Volunteers and Contractors.
3. Working with people: excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
4. Practical land management and asset management or comparable skills/experience:  You need to demonstrate knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including fire management, weed and feral animal control programs or comparable experience that is readily transferable. Demonstrated practical skills managing assets and infrastructure is required including:
   1. The implementation of infrastructure projects such as fencing, road maintenence and building.
   2. The management and use of a wide range of plant and equipment (graders, tractors, generators, pumps and powertools, including chainsaws, welders etc
   3. A broad knowledge of all trades (building, mechanical, fencing, plumbing, welding & electrical) is desirable, including the ability to carry out routine tasks and maintenance.
   4. Bushfire control training and experience.
   5. 4WD experience in relevant off-road conditions is essential.
5. Financial management: demonstrated ability to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and be able to coding and track expenditure, operating within the budget.
6. Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to maintain records, and implement permit/authorization processes.  
7. Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
8. Living in the bush: previous experience of working and living in a rural area, preferably remote, and the supervision of teams in geographically diverse locations. Ability to work in an isolated small team environment.
9. Information technology:  Ability in using standard business software packages (including Word, email, Excel) is essential.
10. A passion for conservation: Understanding of and interest in Australian (with a particular focus on the arid region of Australia) ecology and conservation issues.
11. Willingness to travel. 

Qualifications:

• Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage butis less important than strong, practical experience and a good track record of delivering ‘on-ground’ results.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

• A valid manual drivers licence with 4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential. 4WD training can be provided to the successful candidate prior to commencement.
• First aid certificate (essential), remote first aid (desirable)
• Firearm licence (desirable).

PLEASE NOTE: this position is being offered on a permanent full-time basis.