NatureBase, a wholly owned subsidiary of the AgTrade Group

NatureBase works with landholders to support and enhance sustainable land management practices. With more than 60% of Australia’s land privately owned or managed, we believe that providing practical support, backed by deep technical expertise, to these land managers is key to long-term nature positive outcomes as well as sustained food quality and security.

We provide expertise in project management, integrated land management and natural capital opportunities (e.g. carbon, water quality and biodiversity) both at an individual on-farm level right through to end-to-end supply chain requirements. We work across the project lifecycle from feasibility screening, through design, commercial contracting and execution on property. Often, the projects we support are multi-decade undertakings, so establishing and fostering relationship-driven partnerships with landholders is integral to how we operate.

We are a high energy, motivated team looking to make positive and sustainable impacts within the agricultural sector and as part of the broader movement towards nature repair and carbon neutrality.

Our parent company, AgTrade, is a diversified agribusiness conglomerate with a direct employee base of more than 250 staff across Australia and key international locations. AgTrade has a long history in Australia, celebrating its 50th year of operation in 2023, and now sits as one of the top 100 privately owned companies in Australia.

Role Description

As an Agroecologist, you will provide technical and practical end-to-end support across a portfolio of locations and projects. Projects include carbon farming methodologies (e.g. soil and vegetation related carbon projects) under the Australian Government’s ACCU Scheme, voluntary natural capital methodologies, biodiversity and nature repair / conservation opportunities. 

The principles of agroecology embody much of what we look to achieve at NatureBase –sustainable farming in balance with the natural environment and ecological principles. We are looking for the right candidate that can bring deep technical understanding of ecological principles and their practical application in agroecosystems.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Integrate natural ecosystem processes and functions into the day-to-day work of the NatureBase team, together with the landholders and clients that we support.
• Provide technical and applied expertise to support our project managers in the screening, design and implementation of projects.
• Responsible for co-creating land management strategies and practice change together with our landholders, through design and boots-on-the ground implementation.
• Connect and develop rapport with landholders to work collaboratively.
• We are a client-facing and operational team and, as such, you should be prepared to work flexibly and, when required, autonomously. In return, we offer a flexible work environment, acknowledging the give-and-take required for such roles.
• The role includes field work in potentially remote areas across grasslands, forests and on-farm environments. A moderate level of fitness and willingness to work outdoors on rugged terrain and varied climatic conditions is required. 

Minimum Requirements

• 5+ years’ practical experience integrating the principles of agroecology, holistic management, natural sequence farming, landscape rehydration or a similar related field.
• Tertiary qualifications in ecology, environmental science, soil science or a related technical field.
• A passion for, and belief in, making a difference in the environment and agriculture sectors to progress nature positive outcomes and pursue decarbonization strategies.
• A strong track record leveraging technical principles to achieve on-ground, practical outcomes.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with an ability to contribute in a new, dynamic and evolving industry.
• An inclusive team player with strong communication skills, comfortable transitioning from work in the office, virtually, and in the field as needed.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver to project milestones.
• Australian open driver’s licence.

Highly Valued Experience

• Direct experience working in remote or rural operations, particularly with landholders, grazing / farming communities, or conservation efforts.
• Practical experience working in landscape restoration or conservation.
• Experience with flora surveys, vegetation identification and ecological mapping.
• Working knowledge of GIS.
• Knowledge of Commonwealth / State / Local Government environmental legislation.

Keywords

#environmentalengineering #environmentalscience #agroecology #sustainableagriculture #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #soilscience #plantscience #projectmanagement #integratedlandscapemangement #carbon #ecologicalprinciples