Abzeco is an Eltham based ecological consulting practice (part of the PF Olsen group au.pfolsen.com/Biodiversity) with expertise in flora and fauna survey and monitoring, , habitat hectare assessments, biodiversity assessment reports, land management plans, offset assessment reports, offset management plans, offset monitoring and reporting, ecological management and restoration, weed mapping, targeted surveys for threatened species, salvage and translocation of threatened flora and fauna species, design and implementation of pest control programs, bushfire management plans and expert environmental and conservation planning advice. Abzeco consulting staff are all Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) accredited native vegetation quality assessors (VQA) and our staff include accredited native vegetation offset site assessors. Abzeco is also a registered offset broker of native vegetation credits.

About the role:

We are seeking a full-time botanist (with flexibility to work from home) who's is prepared to work in remote and regional areas on occasion. In collaboration with the existing consulting team, your role will involve undertaking the ecological scope of works for a wide range of projects for a variety of clients including, private landowners, local councils, Parks Victoria, DEECA, water authorities etc.

As the ideal candidate, you will be well-organised, have excellent technical report writing skills and be a great communicator with a solutions-focused attitude, capable of working independently and within a team. You will also be proficient in using the relevant DEECA online tools and databases.

Your role will include supporting and managing junior ecologists to undertake field work and prepare reports. This will involve coordinating and overseeing field work, providing technical guidance and mentoring to deliver high quality work on time and to budget.

This is a wonderful opportunity for a passionate and client focused individual who enjoys building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and peers and supporting the development of junior ecologists.

Your everyday responsibilities will include:

• Proposal writing.
• Undertaking flora surveys and monitoring.
• Undertaking targeted threatened species surveys.
• Ecological vegetation class (EVC) determination and mapping.
• Plant identification.
• Conducting habitat hectare assessments.
• Conducting ecological impact assessments.
• Undertaking pest plant and animal surveys and monitoring.
• Accessing and using DEECAs Native Vegetation Native Vegetation Removal Tool, Native Vegetation Offset Tool, NatureKit, Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA), and online planning schemes.
• Addressing vegetation removal planning permit conditions.
• Providing general advice to clients on native vegetation removal, local planning schemes and native vegetation management.
• Report writing including though not limited to biodiversity assessment reports, land management plans, ecological monitoring reports and preparation of state and federal offset site assessment reports, management plans and monitoring reporting templates in line with the relevant guidelines.
• Internal peer review of client reports.
• Providing technical environmental advice to clients and team members.
• Providing day-to-day support and guidance to junior ecologists.
• Maintaining effective client communication to build and maintain good working relationships with clients.

To be considered for this role, you will have:

• Minimum seven years' experience working as an environmental consultant in a range of locations across Victoria undertaking work including general and targeted flora surveys, habitat hectare assessments, flora monitoring and the relevant reporting.
• Current VQA accreditation, competency and experience gained from undertaking multiple habitat hectare assessments.
• Tertiary qualifications in botany, ecology, environmental science, environmental management, natural resource management or a related field.
• A high level of plant identification skills and experience in determining EVCs across Victoria.
• A good working knowledge of Commonwealth and Victorian legislation and local government planning laws and policy.
• A genuine desire to support, manage and develop other team members.
• A current Victorian drivers licence with 4WD experience. (Current first aid and 4WD training would be desirable).

What we can offer the right person:

• An excellent remuneration package.
• Secure long-term employment and career development.
• The opportunity to work with a team of experienced senior and principal ecologists.

It's also important you're physically able to complete work in the field and you must hold a current Victorian Drivers license.