About AWC:

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global leader in conservation, providing hope for Australia’s wildlife with a science-informed, land management partnership approach which delivers high impact results. We protect endangered wildlife across 12.9 million hectares in iconic regions such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. 

AWC's mission - to deliver effective conservation for all native animal species and their habitats - is achieved by:

• Operations - delivering effective large-scale land management including fire management, feral animal control, weed control and infrastructure management. 
• Science - delivering the largest national biological survey program with a focus on measuring the population of indicator species and the extent of threatening processes as well as conducting research on key issues such as feral cat control. 
• Fundraising - mobilising finance (primarily, tax deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of field updates from around the AWC estate.  

AWC has entered a historic and groundbreaking partnership with the NSW Government – the first public-private collaboration of its kind in Australia. Delivering environmental management programs across two locations, the Pilliga (35,600 ha), consisting of the Pilliga State Conservation Area and Pilliga National Park (Gilgai Section) located in the northwest plains region and Mallee Cliffs NP in southwestern NSW (58,000 ha).
At each location, AWC is:

Proactively engaging with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for the effective delivery of the agreed partnership project outcomes.
Reintroducing locally extinct mammals by establishing a large feral predator-free areas, using conservation fencing, into which up to 10 threatened mammal species will be released.  
Delivering associated land management (feral animal control, weed control etc.) and science services across the project sites. 

About the Role:

AWC is seeking a committed and enthusiastic leader to head up the Pilliga project operations team through the effective planning, coordination and delivery of land management activites across the Pilliga project area. The ideal candidate will be an experienced land manager with a passion for saving Australia’s wildlife and landscapes.

The key responsibilities of this position are to:

• Supervising and delivering land management services across the Pilliga project area utilising AWC systems and processes.
• Proactively engaging with AWC’s Sout-East science team, South-East operations team and the national Development (Fundraising) team to ensure seamless integration towards organisational deliverables.
• Forming a close and effective working partnership with the NSW Government, Baradine NPWS representatives. 
• Contributing to the leadership of AWC through engaging with peers and leaders across the AWC organisation.
• Living the AWC organisational culture of a strong focus on outcomes; good science; and practical, and cost-effective delivery.  
• Engaging positively with the local community and other key stakeholders.  

PLEASE NOTE: This role is based at Narrabri with regular commuting to the Pilliga project area. This is a unique opportunity to join Australia’s largest non-government conservation organisation and help shape the future of private sector conservation in Australia.  

About You:

Critical competencies:

• Getting things done: exeptional planning and organisational skills, including a proven ability to coordinate, prioriise and execute a large numer of tasks in an efficient manner.
• People management skills: with workload planning, priorisation, communication, team building, stakeholder relationship and a strong focus on Health and Safety.
• Practical land management and asset management or comparable skills/experience: demonstrated knowledge and / or practical experience, (or comparable experience that is readily transferable) in planning, overseeing and delivering land management and assets / infrastructure programs including;
  • Infrastructure projects, such as fencing, building or other relevant projects;
  • Feral eradication programs across unfenced landscapes;
  • Weed eradication programs on a landscape scale;
  • Landscape scale prescribed fire programs, including wildfire response;
  • 4WD experience in relevant off-road conditions is essential.
• Financial management: demonstrated ability to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to manage financial resources. 
• Previous experience and abiity to work and live in a rural area.
• A passion for conservation: a passion for, or strong in interest in, conservation.

Qualifications:

• Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline is preferred, as well as strong practical experience and a good track record of delivering ‘on-ground’ results.

Licenses & Certificates:

• Valid manual driver’s license 
• Experience (with relevant licencses, where required) operating agricultural machinery preffered
• Senior first aid certificate or the capacity to readily obtain it (remote certification – highly desirable).
• Current Police clearance certificate.

Join Our Journey

:Initial enquiries to: [email protected]  

Applications via:                              
To submit an application, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts to complete an online application form.
Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.

Closing date for applications: Monday 4 December 2023

Please note: 

1. Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place that allows ongoing full-time work in Australia, in order to apply for this position. Sponsorship is not available.
2. If you apply for this role, AWC will include you in its ongoing updates and communications about its events, activities and fundraising initiatives. You may opt out of these communications at any time.
3. Any application submitted to AWC will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.australianwildlife.org/privacy-policy/. By providing us with your contact details, your consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity. AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.

For a detailed position description, please click link here: Operations Manager (Pilliga)