Tenure: 2 years from commencement with the possibility of extension.

About the role

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Ecologist is responsible for coordinating and delivering the Trust's environmental watering program, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with relevant environmental legislation, policies, approvals, and regulatory requirements. The role also contributes to the planning, coordination and delivery of floodplain restoration initiatives that support the long-term health and resilience of the River Murray floodplain environment.

The position plays a key role in fostering collaborative relationships with community members, First Nations organisations, government agencies, environmental partners, and other stakeholders to achieve positive environmental, social and economic outcomes. Success in this role will be driven by a genuine passion for environmental stewardship, strong project coordination skills, and the ability to deliver practical on-ground outcomes that enhance floodplain health and community benefit.

Based at the Renmark Irrigation Trust office, the position undertakes work across the Renmark Irrigation District and surrounding regions and operates in both office and field-based environments. The role works closely with operational staff, water services managers, and key stakeholders including the Trust Board, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), Renmark Paringa Council, Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board (MRLB), and River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC).

Operating under general supervision, the Ecologist is accountable for delivering assigned responsibilities efficiently, effectively and professionally, while contributing to the Trust's environmental objectives and organisational values. Further information on the water for the environment program is available on our website rit.org.au/environmental-watering

About us

Renmark Irrigation Trust (the Trust) is responsible for providing irrigation water and drainage services to the Renmark irrigation district. It is also committed to restoring adjacent floodplains as part of its stewardship of the surrounding river environment. The Trust has a partnership with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) to deliver water for the environment to the floodplains.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver all aspects of the Trust's water for the environment program to improve the health of the floodplains including preparing Annual Watering Schedules for Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) approval
• Coordinate and manage agreed water delivery through Trust operational staff, providing clear plans and day-to-day overview and guidance on delivery volumes, flow rates, commencement dates, evaporation top-ups, inundation periods and return flows
• Undertake monitoring requirements in accordance with the management guidelines and CEWH contractual requirements including photo point and drone missions and other science-based approaches to monitor outcomes such as vegetation, waterbirds and frogs
• Review, update and implement management guidelines in conjunction with the Renmark Environmental Watering Committee
• Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, documents and correspondence relating to the environmental watering program including progress reports, analysing and interpreting monitoring data, annual operational reports, and program plans and outcomes
• Provide a first point of contact for technical advice to internal and external stakeholders on matters relating to environmental watering and floodplain restoration
• Initiate, plan, implement, coordinate and participate in related floodplain restoration activities that will maximise the social, environmental and economic benefit of the floodplains
• Build relationships, engage and liaise with a wide range of stakeholders including First Nations communities, and work with the community and other key stakeholders to facilitate integrated planning, partnerships, activities and services
• Design, deliver, and promote environmental stewardship information and events for the community and other stakeholders to increase environmental and sustainability awareness and action

About you

• Degree level or qualification in environmental science, ecology, or conservation biology or related discipline essential
• Experience in delivering programs and activities in partnership with diverse stakeholders
• Experience in monitoring, research, analysis, evaluation, presentation and report writing
• Knowledge of environmental water delivery to floodplains and wetlands
• Understanding of the First Nations people connection to land
• Sound written and verbal communication skills to ensure clear and appropriate interaction with stakeholders and local community
• Ability to plan and deliver project activities and perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks
• Ability to develop and maintain positive team and stakeholder relationships