Bush Heritage Australia are seeking a Senior Ecologist to join the South East team.

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..
• Location is flexible within the SE region (Melbourne or Canberra preferred).
• $103, 060 - $125, 962 plus super .
• Full time 1.0FTE, 2-year contract.

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

The Senior Ecologist will provide leadership and expertise to ensure best practice conservation planning and monitoring, species recovery and research programs are delivered for the purpose of achieving adaptive management on our reserves and partnerships lands.

The role will work closely with the South-East Head of Region, the Science and Conservation Team, and regional staff to support monitoring and evaluation programs, priority science programs, donor engagement and projects that deliver against our national Science Plan. This role will also work with other staff to implement our Right-Way Science engagement and exchange with Traditional Custodians across the region.

They will provide ongoing support and advice to Regional Ecologists in key aspects of their role and ensuring that all ecological projects on reserve are focused and approved through the appropriate levels of Bush Heritage and supported by research agreements, permits and grants. The role will also work closely with regional staff to help fill knowledge gaps, including developing research protocols and collaborations to deliver projects that meet our identified needs.

What you'll need to succeed

• Commitment to and passion for nature conservation and the objectives and values of Bush Heritage Australia.
• PhD qualification and demonstrated experience in ecological systems, preferably in south-eastern Australia.
• Demonstrated ecological research, analytical, and monitoring skills.
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to communicate to a superior level in both a written and oral form.
• Demonstrated ability to work at a leadership level to drive best practice, support change management, and foster innovation.
• Experience working independently in remote and isolated environments.
• High level of computer literacy including Microsoft Office suite, statistical analysis, Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing.
• Driver's licence and experience with 4WD and outback driving.
• A First Aid Certificate or ability to obtain it within 3 months.
• Capacity to undertake regular travel to regional and remote locations for extended periods of time.
• Knowledge and application of Health Safety and Environment risk assessment procedures and requirements.

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 and additional annual leave.
• Access to support and counselling via our Employee Assistance Program and free access to Headspace app.