• Location: Tjuntjuntjara - remote WA
• Fulltime, Excellent salary plus 6 weeks annual leave
• Plus paid shut down between Christmas to New Year and two weeks leave for every 8 weeks worked remotely
• Access to Salary Sacrifice of $15,900 and Entertainment Card of $2,650 per annum
• Phone, housing, utilities and internet provided

The Corporation - Pila Nguru 

Pila Nguru (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC (Pila Nguru) is a community-driven, self-funding, not-for-profit PBC. Our members and staff are committed to involving the community in decisions that affect their lives and their land.

Located in Tjuntjuntjara, in the Great Victoria Desert of Western Australia, Pila Nguru is the Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) of the Spinifex and Untiri Pulka Native Title Determinations – a combined area of around 8 million hectares.

Tjuntjuntjara is situated within the Spinifex Native Title Determination Area, which was determined in 2000. Untiri Pulka common law holders joined in 2021 with Spinifex in nominating Pila Nguru to hold their native title rights and interests on trust on their behalf.

Pila Nguru supports the Spinifex and Untiri Pulka People's aspirations to articulate their continuing connection and obligations to culture, country, and communities in many ways, including the Spinifex Land Management and Ranger Programs.

Spinifex Land Management

Spinifex Land Management is a highly successful, award-winning program that manages a large swathe of country spanning the northern fringes of the Nullarbor Plain to deep within the Great Victoria Desert. 

There are two key components to Spinifex Land Management:

• Anangu Tjutaku Indigenous Protected Area (IPA)
• Spinifex Ranger Program 

Covering just under 10 million hectares, the Anangu Tjutaku IPA was declared in December 2021 and is the third largest IPA in Australia. The IPA comprises three Native Title Determination Areas – Spinifex, Untiri Pulka and Pilki. Spinifex and Untiri Pulka are represented by Pila Nguru while Pilki is represented by Kaltupakal Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (Kaltupakal). Pila Nguru and Kaltupakal work together to make decisions on management of the IPA, with all actions implemented by Spinifex Land Management through the Spinifex Ranger Teams.

Collectively, Spinifex, Untiri Pulka and Pilki Native Title Holders are known as the Spinifex People.

The Spinifex Men’s and Women’s Indigenous Ranger Teams work within the Anangu Tjutaku IPA and implement strategies outlined in the Anangu Tjutaku IPA Plan of Management.

The Role

The role of the Women’s Ranger Coordinator is to support the Spinifex People’s aspiration to care for country, culture, and their community through the Spinifex Women’s Ranger Teams and management of the Anangu Tjutaku Indigenous Protected Area.

Based in Tjuntjuntjara, the Women’s Ranger Coordinator will work with a dedicated team of Spinifex Rangers to implement a suite of cultural and natural resource management activities, including:

• Waru palya (good fire)
• Looking after kapi (water) places
• Walytja kutju (community support)
• Camel management
• Return to Country trips
• Threatened species management
• Visitor management and awareness.

The above activities are just some of the strategies outlined in the Anangu Tjutaku IPA Management Plan (the IPA Plan). The IPA Plan is a community-driven plan developed using the Healthy Country Planning process which develops strategies to manage threats to improve the health of important things on country (targets).

The Ranger Coordinators work collaboratively with the Spinifex Ranger teams, each other, the General Manager, and the Pila Nguru Board of Director’s to implement, monitor, evaluate, adapt, and report on the strategies identified in the IPA Plan to the IPA Steering Committee, the Australian Government and other funders and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver the ranger program in accordance with funding guidelines
• Supervise and mentor the ranger team, ensuring activities are performed in a timely and safe manner
• Build cohesive relationships with the Anangu people
• Maintain productive relationships with fellow staff, PTAC and other stakeholders
• Coordinate regular land patrols of the Anangu Tjutaku IPA to implement strategies outlined in the IPA Plan and associated project plans
• Prepare authentic, high-quality reports for funders, the IPA Steering Committee and Pila Nguru Board of Directors
• Coordinate regular asset and infrastructure maintenance
• Maintain spatial and other data records of activities undertaken
• Coordinate delivery of training to ensure staff are suitably qualified to use the required assets safely and competently
• Complete records and associated paperwork in relation to ranger activities, training, and program delivery, in accordance with organisational and reporting requirements
• Facilitate a culturally and operationally safe working environment through implementation of relevant WHS policies and procedures
• Support Pila Nguru Ranger participation in representative forums and other initiatives that build their confidence and skills and provide opportunities to showcase the group’s achievements
• Adhere to all PNAC policies and procedures, especially those relating to workplace health and safety, vehicle and equipment use and maintenance
• Support the Operations Coordinator and the Men’s Ranger Coordinator positions when they are on leave and provide support to the General Manager when required.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• A degree in Environmental Science, Botany, Anthropology or related discipline
• Experience working with Indigenous communities
• Demonstrated experience in natural resource management
• Ability to plan projects and report on outcomes
• Demonstrated relationship building, communication skills and ability to manage conflict
• Competency in computer applications and the ability to learn new applications
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Willingness to take responsibility and work collaboratively in a team
• Good organisational skills and ability to complete allocated tasks
• Confidence to take responsibility and lead a team
• Ability to travel, stay and work in remote locations on country
• Good level of fitness for physical work
• Class C Driver’s Licence.

Desirable

• Firearms Awareness Certificate
• Safe handling of Chemicals certificate.