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 Environmental Project Manager, you will provide 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.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support business development in early-stage landholder engagement and project feasibility assessments.
• Screen and assess the technical feasibility of new natural capital projects with landholders, clients and investors.
• Design, manage and execute projects, including the co-development of Land Management Strategies together with our partner landholders.
• Leverage your technical acumen in: the preparation of technical reports; screening innovative technology opportunities; and, interpretation of field-collected data and laboratory results.
• Interface with regulatory and voluntary environmental methodology administrators to register and progress projects.
• Manage supply chain partners including pre-award contract management, negotiation and contract administration.
• Project budgeting and cost tracking.
• Regular travel to project sites across Australia to oversee project operations, conduct field work and manage landholder relationships.
• 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’ experience in technical project management from a relevant field (e.g. natural resource management, environmental services, ecology, agriculture).
• Tertiary qualifications in environmental engineering, environmental 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 of experience as part of a multidisciplinary project team, with direct experience in the design and implementation (operational) phases of environmental projects.
• Experience managing multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of GIS.
• Experience working in highly regulated industry.
• Direct experience with methodologies under the ACCU Scheme, voluntary carbon schemes or federal / state biodiversity schemes.
• Practical experience working in landscape restoration or conservation.

Keywords

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