Indigenous Ranger

Join the Chuulangun Ranger Team as a Kaanju Ngaachi IPA Ranger and care for Northern Kaanju Country through practical on-ground work, threatened species surveys and monitoring, weed and feral animal control, fire management, visitor management, and community engagement. Varied, hands-on work across conservation, and biocultural (natural and cultural) resource management activities.

Indigenous designated position – Traditional Custodians who identify as Northern Kaanju affiliated with the Northern Kaanju clan estates in the IPA are encouraged to apply. We are seeking Women and Men Rangers.

Role type

Negotiable full-time, part-time or seasonal role depending on your individual situation.

Conditions

Miscellaneous Award 2020 (Level 1 – 3) $25.74 - $29.45 per hour depending on age, qualifications and experience + 12% superannuation + allowances

The opportunity

As a Chuulangun Kaanju Ngaachi IPA Ranger you will be working with the Chuulangun Ranger Team to help protect and manage the IPA which is one of the largest Indigenous managed tropical protected areas in the world. Dedicated in 2008 and managed by the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation, the IPA is a rich biocultural landscape shaped by the creator beings Payanamu and I’wai and features wet tropical and riparian forest, riverine systems, sand ridge country, and diverse eucalyptus woodlands. The IPA protects rich cultural heritage including rock art and provides habitat for distinct wildlife including the endangered Kila (Palm Cockatoo), Iyitpi (Cape York Rock-wallaby) and Ching’ka (Northern Quoll).

You will work from the Chuulangun community which is located on the upper Wenlock River near the IPA’s southern boundary in the Aboriginal Shire of Lockhart River, 70km south-west of the township.

As a ranger you will:

• Perform natural and cultural resource management including planned cultural burning and fire management, weed and feral animal control, and wildlife surveys and monitoring.
• Perform tourism and visitor management including patrolling the Chuulangun campgrounds (collecting camping fees and liaison with visitors), campgrounds maintenance and inspection, and patrolling the IPA.
• Perform river and wetland management including monitoring water quality.
• Engage with the community, including Elders, Junior Rangers and school groups.
• Conduct general estate maintenance and development duties, such as maintaining and constructing roads, tracks, firebreaks, fences, walking tracks, campgrounds and day use areas, and maintenance of the Chuulangun airstrip, buildings, plant and equipment.
• Operate and maintain minor plant and equipment, such as water pumps, lawn mowers, and chainsaws.
• Perform general administration duties including operation of computers and technology.
• Respond to biosecurity threats and natural disasters (e.g. cyclone recovery).
• Perform other biocultural resource management and homelands development activities as required.

In addition, you will:

• Undertake accredited and non-accredited training to support the role.
• Represent the Chuulangun Rangers in some meetings, workshops, and forums.
• Work with Western scientists and other collaborators.
• Support the Chuulangun Ranger Team by being reliable, committed, responsible, and adhering to Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation’s policies, procedures and employee code of conduct.

Selection criteria

Essential

• Physically fit and comfortable working in a remote and challenging environment.
• Hold a valid driver’s licence (or a learner’s permit with ability to acquire Provisional licence).
• Ability to accept and manage work responsibilities.
• Can obtain and maintain relevant clearances, including a National Police Check and Positive Working with Children Blue Card.
• Indigenous Australian

Desirable

• Good verbal communication skills.
• Experience with small machinery and motors (e.g. operation and maintenance of water pumps, generators, chainsaws, tractor etc)
• Practical skills, particularly in the areas of fencing, weed spraying, fire management and general estate maintenance.
• Experience and knowledge of local flora and fauna, field data collection and storage, and computers.
• Identify as a Northern Kaanju Traditional Custodian affiliated with the Northern Kaanju clan estates on the IPA.

Required personal characteristics

• Enjoy practical, outdoors work.
• Can work as part of a team and easy to get along with.
• Flexible and self-motivated.
• Be willing and able to undertake appropriate training for your role.
• Be prepared to wear a uniform and PPE during work hours.
• Be prepared to set an example and be professional and courteous when representing the Chuulangun Rangers in the community and wider public.

About Chuulangun community

Chuulangun is a small community located 700km north of Cairns, 90km south-west of Lockhart River, 120km north of Coen, and 180km south-east of Weipa. Due to remoteness the community rely on a weekly RASS air service which delivers mail, essential supplies, and passenger transport to/from Cairns. During the wet season, road access in and out of Chuulangun is difficult or impossible due to the flooded Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers, creeks and inundated roads. The community prepares before the wet by stocking up on essential supplies like gas and fuel and households stock up on food. There may be times during the wet season when the mail plane will not land due to bad weather.

Due to the geographic isolation, you will be required to live at Chuulangun during your rostered-on time unless other activities such as training take rangers elsewhere. Depending on the normal home base of the successful applicant a flexible rostered schedule may be negotiated, with times on and off, and drive in/drive out during the dry season and fly in/fly out during the wet season to coincide with the mail plane schedule.

Living arrangements

Ranger accommodation will be donga-style housing or the ‘Big House’ which is a large shed with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. The community rely on a solar renewable energy system with back-up generator, and there is a community phone and Wi-Fi available to use. You should be comfortable living and working in a remote setting, and due to our isolation particularly in the wet season you should enjoy your own company. Chuulangun is a dry community and located in the jurisdiction of the Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire therefore is subject to alcohol restrictions under the alcohol management plan.

To learn about Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation and the Kaanju Ngaachi IPA visit our website: www.kaanjungaachi.com.au. If you have any questions please email the Chuulangun IRP Coordinator at irp@kaanjungaachi.com.au.

If you would like to live and work on country and help manage and protect one of the largest Indigenous-managed tropical protected areas in the world, we'd love to hear from you.

Documents

• Position Description

Please send the following by email to irp@kaanjungaachi.com.au:

• Your current resume of up to 2 pages
• Names and contact details for 2 referees
• A statement of 1 – 2 pages (addressing the selection criteria) that briefly describes why you are suited for this role.