Bush Heritage Australia are seeking a Field Officer - Mulligan River to join our North team at Pilungah Reserve.

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a very real contribution to the protection of Australia’s unique wildlife and their habitat.

• Fantastic opportunity to work within a leading conservation organisation.
• Live and work at Pilungah Reserve, Central West Queensland

About us

For over 30 years we’ve supported and protected some of the most fragile ecosystems across the continent and seen the impact of our science-based approach. We keep our eyes on the horizon and focus firmly on long-term, landscape scale impact. As a national, not-for-profit, we want to continue to expand the areas we protect and deepen the impact we have. We work in partnership with Traditional Owners, listening to and learning from the customs and cultures that came before us.

Together we can heal and protect the bush, now and into the future.

About the role

Pilungah has much more to offer than just red desert sand! There are 233,000ha of protected flood plains, gidgee woodlands, spinifex grasslands and dune country. With 268 different species of animals, the nature reserve is also a hot bed for many reptiles. BHA protection of Pilungah gives the desert back its fringe and a refuge for wildlife.

Reporting to the Mulligan River Healthy Landscape Manager, the Field Officer is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities associated with this position.

The Field Officer will work with the Manager to ensure the day-to-day management of Pilungah and Ethabuka reserves meets the goals of the Reserve Management Plans and Bush Heritage. As a Reserve based position, the Field Officer will manage and work in collaboration with Ecologists and other non-reserve staff to contribute to the management and operation of Pilungah and Ethabuka reserves.

Specifically, it is essential that you have relevant work experience for this role as documented in this Position Description.

The position is based at Pilungah Reserve, it is a remote location with periods of high temperatures, and isolation during wet weather.

Workers quarters with the essentials is provided on Pilungah Reserve.

To be successful we are looking for the following:

• Have general rural/station maintenance skills, fencing, water supply and reticulation, road maintenance, basic steel and timber fabrication skills, operate and maintain plant and equipment.
• Have experience working on bushfire containment and planned burns.
• Be a team player with ability to see the bigger picture.
• Have an aptitude to improvise and think on your feet.
• Have a strong work ethic and take pride in a job done well.

What you'll need to succeed

• An interest in nature conservation and the objectives and values of Bush Heritage
• Demonstrated experience in rural land management and or on ground natural resource management
• Demonstrated experience in health and safety risk assessment procedures and requirements in a rural environment.
• A sound level of physical fitness to undertake required manual activities.
• Proven ability to undertake practical skills relating to mechanical, infrastructure, plant and equipment repair and maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member under both direct and remote supervision.
• Ability to work alongside and supervise volunteers, visitors and contractors.
• Ability to communicate well in both written and oral forms.
• Experience in working and living in remote areas or have the ability and resilience to work and live in remote areas.
• Current open drivers’ licence with 4WD experience, including recovery skills

What sets us apart

• Great life-work balance: flexible work arrangements with hybrid working.
• Access to 20 days personal leave per year, 10 of these available from commencement if employment. We also offer cultural leave and gender transition leave.
• Employee Resource Groups for women, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent employees as well as a social group for bird lovers.
• Professional development activities including access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Equitable 12 weeks paid leave to all parents, irrespective of their role as primary or secondary carers.
• Remote staff are supported through an education allowance for kids, additional annual leave and possible casual works arrangements for partners.
• Access to support and counselling via our Employee Assistance Program and free access to Headspace app

Bush Heritage Australia does not discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital or parental status. Should you require a reasonable adjustment to be made for your application we would be more than happy to discuss how this could be arranged.

Evidence shows that applicants from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't feel they meet all the requirements of the job – unlike candidates from majority backgrounds who might fulfil less requirements.

We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested: we strive to build more diverse teams with your unique experience!