Crocodile Islands Rangers / Milingimbi and Outstations Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation (MOPRA)

Are you interested in working alongside one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world in remote East Arnhem Land?

The Crocodile Islands Rangers (CIR) are based in Milingimbi and are administered by MOPRA and governed by an Executive Committee of Traditional Owners from the region. The CIR’s manage the land and sea country of the Crocodile Islands within the Maringa IPA, situated off the coast of north-east Arnhem Land, approximately 500km east of Darwin. The CIR program was established in 2011 from an initial donation from Senior Traditional Owner and 2012 Senior Australian of the Year, Laurie Baymarwangga. Her vision and work underpinned the establishment of the Crocodile Islands Rangers, the Junior Ranger Program, the Gurriba Turtle Sanctuary and the creation of meaningful and sustainable local employment. 

The CIR’s carry out a diverse work plan, including marine debris clean-ups, weed and fire management, pest/animal control and quarantine, cultural site management, sea country patrols and surveillance operations, biodiversity surveys, indigenous knowledge transfer, community engagement, as well as community and cultural obligation support. Managing such a large area of land and sea often involves working in remote locations on country, coordinating land and sea operations and conducting field studies on some of the outer islands and further reaches of our IPA. Our mission is to protect the health of our land and sea country, providing meaningful jobs on country, working together with the community, sharing knowledge, and keeping culture and language alive and strong.

The role

The Ranger Coordinator provides team leadership of the ranger program, including strategic planning, workforce development, partnership development, reporting, program delivery and day-to-day implementation of the ranger work plan. The primary objective of the role is to coordinate and mentor the rangers and develop and deliver projects for conservation of culture and land, so people skills are a must.

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
• Support ranger skills and personal development 
• Coordinate regular sea and land patrols, surveillance work, wildlife/weed and/or feral animal surveys, control programs and appropriate burning programs
• Coordinate regular maintenance of cultural sites, environmental management, rehabilitation works and assets
• Be available to assist out of regular work hours for emergency work such as sea rescues, crocodile / snake removals and/or other problems as they arise
• Supervise staff and provide on-the-job training and/or arrange other training to ensure staff are suitably qualified to be able to use the required assets
• Support Homelands team to carry out essential community works at our outstations
• Complete records and associated paperwork in relation to ranger activities, training and program delivery, in accordance with organisational and reporting requirements
• Enforce operational and WHS procedures, ensuring rangers are compliant at all times 

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• A commitment to indigenous capacity building through mentoring, training and development
• Willingness to live in a remote context
• Willingness to work outdoors and in a remote location in often challenging conditions
• The ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with people for whom English is a second (or third or fourth!) language
• Appreciation of and respect for Yolngu cultural and spiritual values for managing Land and Sea Country.
• Ability to balance Balanda and Yolngu expectations while delivering programs
• Good communication and organisational skills
• A current Working with Children Clearance Notice (Ochre Card) and NT drivers licence (or ability to obtain both if from interstate)

Desirable:

• Tertiary qualifications in either land management, natural resource management or extensive related experience this area
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn environmental management processes including weed control, feral animal control, bio-security monitoring, rubbish management and wildlife monitoring
• Experience and/or certificates in the use of ranger equipment, including but not limited to; UTVs, 4WD, use of weed spraying equipment, chainsaws and tree felling, fire fighting equipment, forklift, telehandler, firearms, tractor, backhoe and slasher. MR truck licence would be useful.
• Experience in trades and/or maintenance.
• Experience in marine operations, including operation and maintenance of vessels up to 12 metres. AMSA Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal or other relevant marine qualifications are also looked upon favourably.
• Experience living and working in a remote Aboriginal community 

About MOPRA

Milingimbi Outstations Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation (MOPRA) is a long-established, community-based organisation that exists to support Yolŋu Traditional Owners, custodians and community members of Milingimbi and the surrounding Crocodile Islands to live, work, and care for their ancestral Country. 

MOPRA plays a central role in coordinating community development, conservation and environmental management, and essential service delivery to Homelands and Outstations in the Crocodile Islands region. MOPRA aims to strengthen cultural connection, sustainable livelihoods, and self-determination through the responsible management of Land and Sea Country.

We are a small, but dedicated team, proud of our commitment to delivering a strong ranger program.

crocodileislandsrangers.com