Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000

Are you an experienced skipper who is passionate about the Kimberley and building the skills of Indigenous Rangers?

• Competitive salary ($95,000 - $105,000) with salary sacrificing up to $15,899.
• Training and development opportunities in a supportive team environment.
• 5 weeks annual leave with office closure over the Christmas period.

About the Role:

The Vessel Master / Marine Operations Officer is the Master of the Dambimangari Ranger Vessels, responsible for coordinating and skippering marine patrols and back to Country trips on the remote Kimberley coastline. The position works closely with the Ranger Coordinators to lead a team of Indigenous Rangers and coordinate all marine operations, including trip planning, logistics, operations and administration. The role is also responsible for overseeing vessel maintenance and safety management systems to ensure safe and compliant operations.

The Vessel Master / Marine Operations Officer will have a strong focus on the upskilling and professional development of Indigenous Rangers and staff via accredited coxswains training and on the job mentoring. The role is based in Derby and will include conducting extensive multiday sea country trips with Indigenous Rangers and Traditional Owners along the remote Kimberley coastline, particularly during the dry season (April - October).

About Us:

We are the Traditional Owners of the land and waters along the north-west Kimberley coastline, extending from just north of the Robinson River to the Prince Regent River. It has been our home for many thousands of years. We carry the cultural responsibilities of our ancestors to look after Country. Our Country is of great conservation significance, home to many threatened and endemic species, mighty rivers, coral reefs, powerful whirlpools, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and more than 700 islands.

Dambeemangaddee are part of the Wandjina Woongudd community. We all share a unique body of beliefs and cultural practices going back to Lalai, the Dreaming when the creator beings Wandjina and Woongudd helped shape the land, sea, heaven, and all living things in our Country. They set out how we must look after culture, plants, animals, people, and country to keep them healthy. We maintain strong connections to our land through our Law, Culture, songs and stories. We visit our Country when we can and have set up homeland communities on our remote coastline. We want to return to Country, live on our homelands, regain control, and teach future generations.

About the Corporation:

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) provides a unique opportunity to work closely with Aboriginal people in one of the most remote, spectacular regions of the Kimberley. DAC is a small Aboriginal Corporation dedicated to the benefit of our members, Dambimangari Traditional Owners. DAC is the governing body for all Dambimangari business on behalf of our members, and in line with traditional Law and Culture. We employ more than 30 staff, the vast majority of whom are Traditional Owners. The Corporation's key functions include:

• Managing Native Title including engaging with mining, tourism and other access and development proposals.
• Members' Services like health and education.
• Land and sea management (Indigenous Protected Area, Ranger Program & Jointly Managed Marine Park including fire, ferals, weeds and marine patrols).
• Cultural heritage management.
• Economic development.
• Visitor Management.
• Cultural programs.
• Remote infrastructure.
• Corporate Services including finance, administration & payroll.

About the Healthy Country Team:

The Ranger program provides jobs for our young people that support them to work on Country, reconnect with culture and build their professional skills. We are a team of full-time and casual rangers, both men and women, working on both land and sea Country.

The Rangers are supported by a Healthy Country Manager, Sea Country Manager, Men's Ranger Coordinator, Women's Ranger Coordinator, Marine Operations Officer and other staff, and overseen by the DAC Board of Directors, Healthy Country Advisory Committee and the Marine Park Joint Management Body. The Dambimangari Rangers deliver activities across the Indigenous Protected Area and Marine Park including:

• Fire, feral & weed management.
• Biodiversity and threatened species.
• Cultural heritage management.
• Visitor management and education.
• Marine Patrols and sea country science.
• Back to Country trips and community events.
• Biosecurity.
• Indigenous knowledge transfer.
• Training and development.

We work closely with expert partners like Parks & Wildlife (DBCA), the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, WA Fisheries (DPIRD), Department of Agriculture and researchers to deliver our programs.

What We Are Looking For

You will be an experienced, qualified skipper who is passionate about the Kimberley and building the skills of Indigenous Rangers. You will bring strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure and adapt quickly to change in a dynamic, challenging work environment. Your strong safety management record and skills in vessel maintenance will be essential. A team leader and mentor with a passion for building the skills and capacity of Indigenous Rangers and exploring the epic Kimberley coastline.

Duties will include:

• Coordinate the day to day running of extended sea country trips in remote locations, including skippering, briefings, safety, logistics and communication.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and care of the DAC Ranger vessels.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and care of Dambimangari family-owned vessels.
• Perform necessary maintenance and repairs or arrange where required.
• Maintain a safe work environment ensure all staff are trained and familiar with relevant marine operations policies and procedures.
• Work with the Ranger Coordinators and training providers to support Rangers to complete accredited coxswains training, including all task book, sea time requirements and applications.
• Provide on the job training and mentoring to support rangers and relevant DAC staff to be able to operate, maintain and repair vessels safely and effectively and develop their professional and personal skills.
• Report regularly to the Dambimangari Healthy Country Committee, Directors and Members via meetings, presentations, reports & newsletters.
• Ensure strong relationships with Dambimangari Traditional Owners, community engagement, ownership and pride via employment and training opportunities, on country activities, cultural programs and regular consultation.
• Contribute to completing timely and accurate reports for funding bodies, audit and other partners.
• Support the delivery of conservation and land management fieldwork on an ad hoc basis (eg marine science, fire, weeds, coastal clean up, remote community infrastructure maintenance).

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal), with an ability to obtain Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 meters Near Coastal) 'Master 5''.
2. Experienced skipper with extensive marine operations experience and the ability to act as master of the 10m GM Air Rider vessel.
3. Experience travelling up to 2-week long expeditions in remote locations with basic camping facilities.
4. Experience leading and working effectively in a team, preferably in a remote marine context.
5. Experience providing training or mentoring to staff.
6. Experience managing, maintaining and servicing vessels, trailers and other equipment.
7. Experience maintaining and implementing standard operating procedures and safety management systems.
8. Ability to commit to up to 10 on-country trips annually, for approximately 5- 10 days, in remote locations on Dambimangari country throughout the dry season (April - October).
9. Knowledge of the National Standard for Domestic Commercial Vessels and relevant legislation.
10. Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.
11. Practical bush skills.
12. Ability to maintain and service vessels.
13. Strong administrative skills, including Microsoft word, outlook, excel, purchasing.
14. Manual Drivers License.
15. Ability to obtain & maintain; Working with Children Check (WWC), National Police Clearance and First Aid Certificate.
16. Possess and maintain a level of physical fitness for working in extremely remote, hot, humid Kimberley conditions.