Expressions of Interest for the 2024 Field Season:

Weipa-based Positions for Ecological Professionals with Varying Experience Levels

Overview

Ecotone Flora Fauna Consultants is seeking expressions of interest from highly motivated and capable individuals from a variety of ecological disciplines, particularly terrestrial zoology and botany, who are ready and willing to join a team of passionate, conscientious professionals on Cape York Peninsula, based in Weipa.

About Us

Ecotone is a medium-sized ecological consulting firm operating out of Weipa on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula. Our work focusses on flora and fauna field surveys, centred around our region, and we aim to deliver excellence and value to our clients. Ecotone is committed to ethical practices and preserving our natural heritage. Our work is essential to ensuring sustainable development and management of the unique ecosystems we work in.

Positions Available

Roles available vary from predominately field-based positions suiting graduates, to senior-level positions that involve designing and leading field studies, reporting and mentoring. Positions are open to individuals with education and expertise in various ecological fields, including but not limited to:

• Ecology.
• Botany.
• Zoology.
• Environmental Science.

Casual or Full-time employment arrangements can be negotiated.

Employees are currently appointed under the Professional Employees Award 2020. Wages are above Award and dependent upon skills and experience.

Remuneration packages include fortnightly pays, a Weipa General Allowance to offset remote living expenses, Employer Compulsory Superannuation payments (currently 11%), various other Allowances, and industry standard Leave and Leave Loading entitlements if full-time. A Special Leave system (akin to 'Time-off In-Lieu') is in place for full-time employees working additional hours and includes options for cash-out.

Ecotone operates a seasonally adjusted roster to account for the variability of our workload over the year, which is largely concentrated in our dry season, between April and December. A standard working week for both office and field-based work comprises between 38 and 45 hours a week depending on the time of year and project requirements.

The positions would be highly rewarding for any suitably fit and motivated ecologists with has a true passion for field ecology in a remote part of Australia. A detailed statement of duties is available upon request for your preferred or suited position.

Benefits

As well as delivering quality ecological outcomes and client satisfaction from the work we undertake, Ecotone prides itself on offering rewarding career opportunities in a genuinely enjoyable work environment. A position with Ecotone in Weipa will provide:

• Opportunities to work alongside ecological professionals with expertise in a wide range of subjects.
• Experience in a diverse range of projects.
• A range of tasks including survey preparation, field work, data management and reporting.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment.
• A chance to contribute to meaningful management and conservation initiatives.
• Training and development opportunities.
• And a chance to explore and experience the landscapes, attractions and lifestyle of Cape York Peninsula.

Applicant Qualities

Necessary:

• Passion for field ecology.
• High level of physical fitness, mental resilience, motivation and endurance to be able to safely undertake field work in challenging tropical conditions (high temperatures and humidity) at a productive pace.
• Manual Australian Drivers Licence
  • Please flag in your application if you currently only hold an automatic licence.
• Commitment and ability to work within Ecotone's safety systems, and those of our clients, including:
  • compliance with drug and alcohol policies.
  • following communication plans.
  • working safely in remote bush landscapes.
  • working safety alongside mining operations.
  • looking out for colleagues' health and wellbeing.
• Commitment to comply with and implement survey permits and animal ethics approval conditions and provisions to achieve excellent animal welfare outcomes.

Highly Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience and ability to operate 4WD vehicles.
• Tertiary qualification in Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Wildlife Science, Environmental Science or similar.
• Familiarity with Australian fauna and or flora species derived from field survey experience.
• Experience in being out bush, including demonstrated competency (not just a 4WD certificate) in operating 4WD vehicles off-road, changing tyres, navigating in bush environments and being able to trouble-shoot minor mechanical or technical faults with vehicles and equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of bird identification from both observations and call identification and the ability to reliably identify raptor species in flight.
• Knowledge of Australian terrestrial vertebrate fauna genera (frogs, reptiles, birds, mammals) and experience in ethically handling and identifying fauna.
• Ability to work in a co-operative team environment working toward common goals.
• Ability to prepare concise, factual and relevant written and verbal reports to a high standard.
• Ability to communicate effectively with fellow team members and client representatives.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, particularly compilation of large MS Word documents with imagery and maps.
• GIS capabilities, especially Esri ArcGIS Suite.
• Botanical knowledge and experience.

Desirable qualities and qualifications:

• Familiarity with digital data capture and navigation using GPS enabled handheld devices and data entry apps.
• Familiarity with the fauna of Cape York Peninsula.
• Experience working with Traditional Owners.
• Experience in environmental management within the mining sector.
• Familiarity with camera and acoustic survey techniques.
• Familiarity with analysis of acoustic data sets using call recognition software.
• Experience conducting fauna spotter-catcher activities.
• Hold current Senior (Apply) First Aid and Advanced 4WD competencies.
• Familiarity with Dropbox or other cloud storage utilities.
• Experience with using satellite phones, personal satellite trackers (i.e. Garmin InReach) and EPIRBs.

General Information about Weipa

If you are interested in some more info on the township of Weipa you can check out the 'About Weipa' tab on the Weipa Town Authority website: https://www.weipatownauthority.com.au/about-weipa/town-overview. It provides information regarding what services are and aren't available to you up here.

There are also some local Facebook groups if you are looking for accommodation options, such as 'Secrets of Weipa'. Finding accommodation can be a challenge in Weipa, but Ecotone are able to assist with this. Although living remotely occasionally has its disadvantages, there are many rewarding experiences to be gained from a Weipa lifestyle, such as exploring Cape York Peninsula's wilderness and getting to know the people and groups of the town. Ecotone are a sponsor and supporter of a number of local events and organisations that we like to get our staff to enjoy and play a part in, such as the Weipa Fishing Classic, the Weipa Rodeo, Morning with the Birds, the Feral Animal Hunt, Bush Kindy, Western Cape Landcare and others.