Southern Gulf NRM

Southern Gulf NRM is a community-based company responsible for education, planning and implementation of sustainable Natural Resource Management (NRM) in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria region of North West Queensland.

The Southern Gulf region covers 215,000 square kilometres and comprises the catchments of the Flinders-Cloncurry, Leichhardt, Gregory-Nicholson Rivers, Settlement Creek and Morning Inlet, and the Wellesley Islands. The region has spectacular ranges and rugged country and open, black soil Mitchell Grass Downs plains. 85% of the region’s land use is grazing with a wide variety of vast grazing enterprises.

Programs are delivered collaboratively with a range of stakeholders including landholders, all levels of government, industry groups, Traditional Owners, and conservation groups.

Purpose of Position

Work with landholders and managers to establish and implement property plans, land condition monitoring, education and awareness, adult learning and on ground works projects across the region.

The Project Officer develops and implements projects that support the priorities of the Southern Gulf Region NRM Plan.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

• Implement natural resource management projects including responsibility for building relationships with landholders, site assessments, operational planning, works supervision, budget management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Build and maintain productive partnerships with the pastoral industry, community groups, government agencies, project investors and Traditional Owners in the development and delivery of extension advice, education activities and on ground projects.
• Identify potential project funding opportunities and under direction, develop and submit applications for funding to Government, philanthropic and corporate sources in support of natural resource management in the region.
• Maintain a professional awareness of developments in policy and land management practices and provide advice and analysis of emerging issues and opportunities for consideration by Southern Gulf NRM management and the Board on natural resource management issues relevant to the Southern Gulf region.
• Contribute to the success of Southern Gulf NRM team through positive and flexible contributions to the management and administration of the organisation.

Selection Criteria

Appointment to the position will be based on the following selection criteria.

1. Demonstrated sound knowledge of concepts, principles and procedures relevant to natural resource management, specifically grazing land management.
2. Demonstrated experience in the agricultural industry and in successfully engaging with land managers.
3. Demonstrated capacity to build relationships with rural people and collaborate with partners and stakeholders.
4. High level organisational skills to coordinate multiple projects and time management to meet conflicting deadlines.
5. High level of written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate complex concepts to a wide range of audiences and utilising appropriate technology and social media.
6. Proven initiative and demonstrated ability to work autonomously and as an effective team member that can establish work priorities, achieve quality outcomes, and meet deadlines.
7. Demonstrated ability to develop and document innovative projects, identify and seek funding opportunities.
8. A sound understanding and demonstrated application of monitoring and evaluation principles and practice. Experience in the use of on-line MERI systems is desirable.
9. Demonstrated experience relevant to natural resource management in a remote, rangelands region would be highly desirable.
10. Tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent experience in Agricultural or Environmental Science or related disciplines is desirable

Additional factors

This position calls for the ability to take the initiative and work unsupervised as and when required. The position requires a sound general knowledge of the principles of natural resource management, supplemented with one or more specific professional competencies relevant to the Southern Gulf region. These might include soil conservation, grazing land management, pest and weed management, biodiversity management, fire management, communications and community engagement. Southern Gulf NRM will not sponsor a visa for international applicants.