Overview

Ecotone Flora Fauna Consultants are looking to fill one or more positions with experienced, highly motivated, and capable individuals with qualifications from an ecological discipline, particularly terrestrial zoology or botany, who are ready and willing to join a team of passionate, conscientious professionals on Cape York Peninsula. There is a strong preference for the appointee/s to be willing to relocate and join our team here in Weipa, although alternate arrangements would be considered for highly suitable candidates.

About Us

Based in Weipa, Ecotone are proudly locally owned and operated and are the only multi-disciplinary ecological consultancy permanently based on Cape York Peninsula. Ecotone is a well-established and respected medium-sized ecological consulting firm with a commitment to integrity, authenticity and high standards. We take pride in offering not only quality services but also a welcoming, supportive and genuinely enjoyable work environment. Our team values collaboration, innovation, and a shared focus on delivering excellence and value to our clients. At Ecotone, we aim to create a positive, inclusive workplace where people can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the environment.

Our work focuses on flora and fauna field surveys, primarily across Cape York. At Ecotone, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ecological science and ethical practices, with a clear commitment to protecting and conserving of Australia's natural heritage. Our work is essential to ensuring sustainable development and management of the unique ecosystems we work in.

Position/s Available

Ecotone are seeking to invest in one or more suitably experienced ecological professionals, who are willing to support and contribute to the conduction of high-standard projects resulting in quality outputs for a variety of clients. 

Suitable candidates would be those who are:

• eager to collaborate with and mentor an enthusiastic, driven and disciplined team of upcoming ecological professionals; and.
• ready to provide support to a dedicated management team who strive to foster a happy, healthy, proud and fulfilled workforce, and operate a sustainable, respectable and authentic business; and
• willing to use their wealth of technical experience to deliver the highest conservation outcomes possible in our industry, and share their experience, professionalism and passion with the team.

Roles would include field-based and office-based components, with suitable candidates able to assist with project management, quality assurance, leadership, training, ecological studies and reporting.

Employees are currently appointed under the Ecotone Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Approved 17 July 2024).  Wages are above Award and dependent upon skills and experience. Casual, Part-time or Full-time employment arrangements can be negotiated.

Remuneration packages include fortnightly pays, a Weipa General Allowance to offset remote living expenses, Employer Compulsory Superannuation payments (currently 11.5%), various other Allowances, and industry standard Leave and Leave Loading entitlements if full-time. A Special Leave system (akin to 'Time-off In-Lieu') is in place for full-time employees working additional hours and includes options for cash-out.

Ecotone operates a seasonally adjusted roster to account for the variability of our workload over the year, which is largely concentrated in our dry season, between April and December. A standard working week for both office and field-based work comprises between 38 and 45 hours, depending on the time of year and project requirements.

A detailed statement of duties is available upon request for your preferred or suited position, and upon a review of relevant qualifications.

Benefits

As well as delivering quality ecological outcomes and client satisfaction from the work we undertake, Ecotone prides itself on offering rewarding career opportunities in a satisfying and motivating work environment. A position with Ecotone in Weipa will provide:

• opportunities to work alongside ecological professionals with expertise in a wide range of subjects.
• experience in a diverse range of projects.
• a range of tasks including client liaison, survey design, preparation, field work, data management and reporting.
• a supportive and inclusive work environment.
• a chance to contribute to meaningful management and conservation initiatives.
• training and development opportunities; and.
• and a chance to explore and experience the landscapes, attractions and lifestyle of Cape York Peninsula.

Applicant Qualities

Highly Desirable qualities and qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification in Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Wildlife Science, Environmental Science or similar.
• Ecological consulting experience.
• Team management experience.
• Knowledge of Australian terrestrial vertebrate fauna and flora and a passion for field ecology.
• Ability to work in a co-operative team environment working toward common goals.
• Ability to prepare concise, factual and relevant written and verbal reports to a high standard.
• Ability to communicate effectively with fellow team members and client representatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly compilation of large MS Word documents with imagery and maps, and extensive Excel data spreadsheets.
• GIS capabilities, especially Esri ArcGIS Suite.
• Experience in designing and leading ecological studies, and ensuring client requirements are met
  • Manual Australian Drivers Licence (please flag in your application if you currently only hold an automatic licence).
• High level of physical fitness, mental resilience, motivation and endurance to be able to safely undertake field work in challenging tropical conditions (high temperatures and humidity) at a productive pace.
• Commitment and ability to work within Ecotone's safety systems, and those of our clients, including:
  • compliance with drug and alcohol policies.
  • following communication plans.
  • working safely in remote bush landscapes.
  • working safely alongside mining operations.
  • looking out for colleagues' health and wellbeing.
• Commitment to comply with and implement survey permits and animal ethics approval conditions and provisions to achieve excellent animal welfare outcomes.

Desirable qualities and qualifications:

• Botanical knowledge and experience.
• Experience in environmental management within the mining sector.
• Experience with the legislative frameworks of Environmental Approvals in Australia (particularly QLD).
• Demonstrated experience and ability to operate 4WD vehicles.
• Familiarity with Cape York Peninsula fauna and or flora species derived from field experience.
• Experience being out bush, including demonstrated competency (beyond a 4WD certificate) in operating 4WD vehicles off-road, changing tyres, navigating in bush environments and being able to trouble-shoot minor mechanical or technical faults with vehicles and equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of bird identification from both observations and call identification and the ability to reliably identify raptor species in flight.
• Familiarity with digital data capture and navigation using GPS enabled handheld devices and data entry apps.
• Experience working with Traditional Owners.
• Familiarity with camera and acoustic survey techniques.
• Familiarity with analysis of acoustic data sets using call recognition software.
• Hold current Senior (Apply) First Aid and Advanced 4WD competencies.
• Familiarity with Dropbox or other cloud storage utilities.
• Experience with using satellite phones, personal satellite trackers (i.e. Garmin InReach) and EPIRBs.

General Information about Weipa

If you are interested in some more info on the township of Weipa you can check out the 'About Weipa' tab on the Weipa Town Authority website : weipatownauthority.com.au/about-weipa/town-overview. It provides information regarding what services are and aren't available to you up here.

There are also some local Facebook groups if you are looking for accommodation options, such as 'Secrets of Weipa'. Finding accommodation can be a challenge in Weipa, but Ecotone are able to assist with this. Although living remotely occasionally has its disadvantages, there are many rewarding experiences to be gained from a Weipa lifestyle, such as exploring Cape York Peninsula's wilderness and getting to know the people and groups of the town. Ecotone are a sponsor and supporter of a number of local events and organisations that we like to get our staff to enjoy and play a part in, such as the Weipa Fishing Classic, the Weipa Rodeo, Morning with the Birds, the Feral Animal Hunt, Bush Kindy, Western Cape Landcare and others.