Bush Heritage Australia are seeking an Ecologist to join the West and SA 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..
• This position is located in South Australian Arid Rangelands or Evelyn Downs Reserve.
• $87, 339 - $106,747 plus 11.5% 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 Ecologist will work with relevant staff, partners and the broader scientific and natural resource management community to deliver a science program that reflects the conservation and cultural land management priorities of the region. The Ecologist will be primarily responsible for the design and implementation of the research and monitoring plans for reserves and partnerships. This position will be key to the development, review and adaptation of reserve management plans, monitoring plans and reports on progress against goals. This position will work collaboratively with the relevant Senior Ecologists, HLMs, and the Reserve Managers to ensure conservation management, species recovery and research programs are developed and implemented for the purposes of delivering on the knowledge needs as set out in the plans and ensuring learnings are incorporated into plans to ensure adaptive management of our reserves. The incumbent will provide academic, technical, management and logistical advice for the development and delivery of conservation activities, ensuring that they have a sound basis in line with contemporary best practice adaptive management. The Ecologist is responsible for accessing the weight of scientific knowledge on relevant issues and communicating our scientific work through presentations and publications in the scientific arena. The position will co-supervise students working on Bush Heritage knowledge needs.

The Ecologist will be responsible for development and implementation of the science and ecology programs. It is expected that this position will be available to support Bush Heritage partnerships in conservation, pastoral and Indigenous Protected Area sectors.

This position is also required to communicate information concerning Bush Heritage's conservation programs to supporters and key stakeholders. This includes fundraising and public speaking events to assist and participate in the overall community engagement aspirations of the organisation.

What you'll need to succeed

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in ecology, preferably landscape ecology, a PhD, or Masters.
• 5 years or more post-graduate experience in research or applied natural resource management including demonstration of a record of peer reviewed publication.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation and analysis of ecological monitoring and survey programs.
• A sound knowledge of the political, ecological, and social issues of ecology in the region.
• Demonstrated experience in working effectively and productively in a team environment to deliver natural resource management or research outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with research partners and a broad range of stakeholders, including demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining collaborative and productive relationships with a diverse range of people in complex, rural or remote environments.
• Commitment and passion for nature conservation and the objectives and values of Bush Heritage.
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office, email, GIS software, statistical software and other basic software packages.
• A current manual motor vehicle driver's licence and demonstrated 4WD and 4WD recovery experience.
• A workplace First Aid Certificate or ability to obtain it.

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.