Tenure: Starting February 2025 -6 weeks to 3 months maximum- (coincides with blackberry season).
Renumeration: 130 hours by $67 (includes labour, phone and internet costs) plus travel costs within the project area ($750).
Reports to: Friends of Kangaroo Creek, Wheatsheaf Committee. (Under the auspice of the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce).
Role statement for the position
The project officer for the Friends of Kangaroo Creek, Wheatsheaf performs a key role in the delivery of this community-led blackberry program.
Friends of Kangaroo Creek, Wheatsheaf is managing a Victorian Blackberry Taskforce extension project for landholders effected by the pest plant blackberry, in order to raise awareness, to promote best practice management and to encourage communities to voluntarily manage blackberry.
The successful applicant will form a strong working relationship with the Friends of Kangaroo Creek, Wheatsheaf and various stakeholders including local government, industry and community groups.
Duties
The successful applicant will be required to conduct the following duties:
- Develop effective partnerships with an existing network of key stakeholders including agencies, local government etc., communicating key project messages and effectively work towards a common outcome.
- Map blackberry infestations in the target area. (GIS experience highly desirable but not essential).
- In conjunction with individual landholders develop voluntary 3- year management plans for the control of blackberry on individual properties. (First Year Goal - approximately 25 properties) Provide information to landholders to assist them in implementing best practice blackberry control using expert advice. e.g WONS Blackberry Control Manual, VBT Website and local suppliers.
- Keep accurate records as detailed by the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce and input this data into the Blackberry Action Data Information System. (GIS System).
- Reflect the goals of the Victorian Blackberry Strategy Revised Edition 2020-2025.
- Write an action plan and a final report for the project.
Pre-requisites (for the entire employment period).
- A current driver's licence and a vehicle.
- A mobile phone (operational and able to make/receive required calls), .
- An Australian Business Number.
- Proof of current public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
- A laptop computer with capability to use suitable mapping software as required by the group to fulfil reporting responsibilities eg. Arc Map, software to prepare reports (e.g. MS Word, software and up to date accounts to send/receive emails, software for presentations e.g. MS PowerPoint).
- Either a digital camera or camera function on the phone (to take before and after photos of sites of interest, to be uploaded into landholder reports and final reports for the project.).
Key selection criteria.
- Highly developed interpersonal communication skills, particularly the ability to negotiate outcomes and develop effective partnerships with stakeholders.
- A demonstrated ability to successfully plan, implement and evaluate projects and an ability to resolve operational service delivery problems.
- Demonstrated ability to recognise, quantify and schedule a feasible schedule of environmental weed control methods (specifically Blackberry) appropriate to Central Victorian contexts.
- Vegetation identification skills sufficient to recognise presence of ecologically sensitive native vegetation requiring consideration in weed control recommendations.
- In ability to use GIS equipment including the use of GIS software to develop maps with infestation points, or demonstrated skills in generating equivalent mapping data capable of being translated to the Blackberry Action Data Information System.
- A demonstrated ability to work alone and be self motivated.
Other relevant information.
- Attendance at after hours meetings may be required.
- Is expected to act in a professional and environmentally responsible manner at all times.
- The successful applicant will be required to report to the Friends of Kangaroo Creek, Wheatsheaf regularly, or when requested.
- An understanding of the State Government Department Agriculture Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework, the Catchment and Land Protection Act, 1994 and the Victorian.
Blackberry Taskforce Strategy would be of benefit. Information can be found on vicblackberrytaskforce.com.au
Specific health and safety requirements
The is committed to protecting the health, safety and well being of its members and contractors. To achieve this, the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce strives to ensure that contractors are not permitted to undertake work for which they are not suitably qualified and to take appropriate measures to allow work to be done in a manner which will not put any person at risk related to their health and safety.
The following information is provided to identify health and safety issues specific to this role.
- Required to work alone.
- Periods of car travel often alone, at night.
- Frequent dealings with members of the public required.
nrmjobs.com.au/job/20024724