Wildlife Ecologist (NSW) Help deliver one of Australia s most important conservation initiatives

Transcription

1 Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Help deliver ne f Australia s mst imprtant cnservatin initiatives Australian Wildlife Cnservancy (AWC) is Australia s largest private wner f land fr cnservatin, prtecting wildlife acrss 3.85 millin hectares. In 2016, AWC entered int a grundbreaking partnership with the NSW Gvernment t reintrduce at least 10 icnic threatened mammals - including the Bilby, the Numbat and the Western Qull int tw NSW natinal parks. The return f these mammals, all currently listed as extinct in NSW, will represent ne f the largest bidiversity restratin prjects ever undertaken in Australia. The prject is being implemented at Mallee Cliffs Natinal Park in suth-west NSW and in the Pilliga frest in nrth-central NSW. At each site, AWC will establish a large feral predatr-free area, using cnservatin fencing, int which reginally-extinct mammals will be reintrduced. AWC is delivering land management and science activities t maximize bidiversity utcmes acrss each site. The Wildlife Eclgist will play an imprtant rle in the delivery f the science cmpnent f this prject. Reprting t the Senir Eclgist (NSW), key respnsibilities include: Measuring the eclgical health f each site Designing and implementing research t address imprtant, relevant cnservatin questins Designing cnservatin and land management strategies and reprting n their utcmes Assisting with planning, implementing and mnitring reintrductins f threatened mammals Wrking effectively with a range f key stakehlders including NSW gvernment agencies, lcal cmmunities and the brader scientific cmmunity. AWC is lking fr a scientist with a strng sense f respnsibility fr cnserving Australia s wildlife, a pstgraduate degree and experience in eclgy r related discipline (including bilgical surveys, research and mnitring). Yu will be used t wrking in the bush and getting things dne n time and budget. Yu must have gd cmmunicatin skills and be able t wrk with a wide range f peple. Yu will be mtivated by a desire t develp and implement a new mdel fr cnservatin. This rle will be based in reginal NSW (initially Narrabri), with extended perids in the Pilliga and Mallee Cliffs. Please see belw fr a full jb descriptin. Enquiries: AWC Senir Eclgist NSW: Rd.Kavanagh@australianwildlife.rg Applicatins: (CV & letter addressing critical cmpetencies) t: emplyment@australianwildlife.rg Clsing date fr applicatins: 8 December 2017 australian wildlife cnservancy p bx 8070 subiac east western australia 6008 p: f: e: inf@australianwildlife.rg w:

2 Please nte: 1. Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident r have a suitable visa in place that allws permanent full-time wrk in Australia, in rder t apply fr this psitin. A wrking-hliday visa is nt apprpriate, due t the restrictin f n mre than 6 mnths wrk with any ne emplyer. Spnsrship is nt available. 2. If yu apply fr this rle, AWC will include yu in its nging updates and cmmunicatins abut its events, activities and fundraising initiatives. Yu may pt ut f these cmmunicatins at any time. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 2 f 8

3 Rle Descriptin Designatin: Reprting t: Supervising: Based at: Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Senir Eclgist (NSW) AWC field eclgists, casual staff, cntractrs, vlunteers Reginal NSW initially Narrabri, then Pilliga when base established Organisatinal cntext: Australian Wildlife Cnservancy (AWC) wns and manages 26 sanctuaries cvering mre than 3.85 millin ha. AWC has entered int a histric partnership with the NSW Gvernment t manage tw natinal parks: Mallee Cliffs Natinal Park in suth-west NSW and part f the Pilliga frest in nrth-central NSW (35,000 ha). At each natinal park, AWC will: Reintrduce mammals by establishing a large feral predatr-free area (several thusand hectares), using cnservatin fencing, int which up t 10 threatened mammal species will be released. Deliver assciated land management (feral animal cntrl, weed cntrl etc) and science services acrss the natinal parks. The Wildlife Eclgist will play an imprtant rle in the delivery f AWC s science prgram fr the NSW partnership. Reprting t the Senir Eclgist (NSW), key duties f the Wildlife Eclgist are t: Cntribute t the develpment and implementatin f AWC s science prgram in NSW, including: measuring the eclgical health f the Mallee Cliffs and Pilliga sites cnducting research n key issues relevant t the cnservatin f wildlife. Cntribute t the reintrductin f reginally extinct mammals including planning, implementing and mnitring translcatins Wrk in an integrated way with AWC peratins staff t design and implement strategies fr feral animal cntrl, weed cntrl, fire management and ther land management activities. Wrk effectively with a range f ther key stakehlders especially thse in lcal cmmunities and in the brader scientific cmmunity Assist with AWC s cmmunicatin and fundraising activities. Key relatinships will include: The psitin reprts t the AWC Senir Eclgist (NSW), and ultimately t AWC s Natinal Science and Cnservatin Manager. The psitin will wrk with a team f AWC eclgists invlved in the NSW partnership including ther Wildlife Eclgists, Field Eclgists, Interns and vlunteers. As directed by the Senir Eclgist, the Wildlife Eclgist may have day t day respnsibility fr supervising AWC Field Eclgists, Interns, vlunteers and cntractrs in the field. Within AWC, the Operatins and Science teams wrk in an integrated manner t design and deliver effective land management and t measure and reprt eclgical health. The psitin will als wrk clsely with AWC s Develpment and Cmmunicatins team, nting that AWC is making a significant philanthrpic investment as part f the partnership with NSW. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 3 f 8

4 Critical Cmpetencies: 1. Getting things dne: yu need well-develped planning and rganisatinal skills, including an ability t priritise and execute a variety f tasks in an efficient manner and wrk effectively with clleagues. 2. Managing staff: yu need gd peple management skills, including the capacity t lead, manage and crdinate small teams f staff and cntractrs in remte lcatins. 3. Wrking with peple: yu need gd interpersnal skills, including the ability t develp and maintain relatinships with a diverse range f stakehlders including the brader scientific cmmunity. 4. Well-develped knwledge f the cnservatin f Australian wildlife and ecsystems including: a. the nature and functining f the Australian bita; and b. majr threats t native wildlife and their habitats and hw these threats can be mitigated (eg, knwledge f strategies fr fire, feral animal and weed management). 5. Excellent eclgical research skills including: a. gd knwledge f the eclgical literature relevant t the psitin; b. gd knwledge f experimental design and sampling methds; c. well-develped skills in wildlife survey, including animal trapping, vegetatin surveys, identificatin and handling, radi-tracking and camera-trapping; and d. well-develped capacity t manage bilgical surveys. 6. Well-develped capacity in statistical analysis f eclgical data and the use f cmputer sftware packages including analytical, graphing, wrd prcessing and spreadsheet sftware, as well as cmpetence with GIS and database sftware. 7. Gd science cmmunicatin skills including a well-develped capacity t draft and review scientific reprts and publicatins, cmpse funding applicatins and reprts, and cmmunicate science and cnservatin messages t a general audience. 8. Cmpetence in financial management: ability t deliver prjects in a cst-effective manner and t manage financial resurces including (i) perating within a budget; and (ii) drafting financial reprts. 9. Resurcefulness: the ability t imprvise and prblem-slve, develping practical slutins with limited resurces. 10. Living in the bush: Previus experience f wrking and living in a rural area, preferably remte. 11. Paperwrk/cmpliance: Capacity t manage cntracts and adhere t prcurement plicies. 12. Infrmatin technlgy: Well-develped capacity in using standard prfessinal sftware packages (including Wrd, , Excel) is essential. 13. Willingness t travel. Qualificatins: 1. A PhD in eclgy (preferably in frest eclgy), r a related discipline is essential. Licenses & Certificates: 1. Valid manual driver s licence with 4WD experience in difficult cnditins is essential. 2. Senir first aid certificate (remte certificatin highly desirable). Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 4 f 8

5 Inherent requirements f the rle: The executin f tasks assciated with the psitin will invlve fieldwrk in remte lcatins and can smetimes be away frm an established field base, ften in islated lcatins wrking alne. The wrking envirnment will be predminantly utdrs and ften in the extremes f weather ht and wet and/r dry. The psitin can be physically demanding and may require walking and climbing ver rugh terrain, heavy muscular activity including lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling lads, bending, climbing and driving a variety f vehicles. In additin, the applicant will cnduct perids f ffice wrk, planning and supervising prjects. The successful applicant must be physically capable f perfrming these activities in the lcatins required in rder t carry ut the inherent rle respnsibilities. Respnsibilities: 1. Assist in the design and implementatin f a plan fr measuring eclgical health Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist the Senir Eclgist in designing an eclgical health mnitring framewrk, cnsistent with AWC requirements, t measure the eclgical health f each prject site including: The success f the mammal reintrductins A suite f bidiversity indicatrs (inside and utside feral free area) Threat indicatrs such as fire metrics and feral animal activity/densities. Implement a prgram f eclgical surveys which give effect t the eclgical health mnitring framewrk: Cnduct fauna surveys utilising a range f techniques and methds: eg standard bservatinal surveys; live-trapping; radi/ GPS-tracking; camera trapping; ther technlgies as develped. Ensure survey wrk is cnducted in accrdance with AWC plicies and relevant permits. Manage the cllectin f vegetatin data, the preparatin f vegetatin maps and herbaria. Manage cllectins f bilgical samples. Ensure all relevant data are recrded, managed and stred securely. Draft annual eclgical health reprts and ther reprts (eg survey reprts) as required. Ensure all apprvals are in place and helping manage regulatry reprting 2. Assist in the design and implementatin f a research strategy Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist the Senir Eclgist in develping a Research Strategy fr each site addressing knwledge gaps related t mammal reintrductins, threatened species management, the impact f threatening prcesses such as feral animals and fire, etc. Implement AWC research prjects in accrdance with AWC plicies and relevant permits. Help develp and manage partnerships with external research agencies undertaking cllabrative research in accrdance with the Research Strategy. Prvide supervisry supprt t students and interns, as required. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 5 f 8

6 Help versee the administratin f all research prjects including the strage and management f data, prject reprts and publicatins. 3. Assist in the reintrductin f lcally extinct mammals Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist the Senir Eclgist in planning, implementing and mnitring the reintrductin f lcally extinct mammals t each prject site, including: Preparatin f translcatin prpsals which set ut reintrductin plans, identify key risks and hw they will be addressed; and define hw success will be measured Surcing animals fr reintrductin Cnducting the translcatin and release f animals Undertaking pst-release mnitring and research (see als #1, #2 abve) Develping medium-term strategies designed t enable release f lcally extinct mammals utside the feral-free areas. Assist the Senir Eclgist in btaining all apprvals and help manage regulatry reprting Wrk effectively with NSW gvernment agencies, Recvery Teams and ther stakehlders. 4. Cntribute t the design and implementatin f land management strategies Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist in the design f strategies fr fire management, feral animal cntrl, weed cntrl and ther land management activities, in cllabratin with the peratins team in nrth-west Australia. Cntribute t the review f annual wrk plans develped t implement these strategies. Thrugh eclgical health measurement (see #1 abve), reprt n the utcmes f management activities. Assist in the implementatin f cnservatin and land management prjects, as relevant. Nte: these strategies are subject t apprval by the Natinal Operatins Manager and Natinal Science & Cnservatin Manager and shuld be develped in cnjunctin with the NSW Operatins Manager. 5. Management f staff, vlunteers & cntractrs Key activities and respnsibilities: Under the directin f the Senir Eclgist Help manage a remte team f AWC eclgists, vlunteers and Interns, including mentring and prfessinal develpment. As required, c-rdinate, engage and supervise: ther staff; cntractrs (thrugh a tendering prcess, in accrdance with AWC purchasing plicy). Ensure all relevant AWC plicies are cmplied with in relatin t the engagement f staff r cntractrs, including safety plicies. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 6 f 8

7 Help manage the allcatin f staff resurces at different lcatins, as necessary, t meet peratinal requirements. Fster, and be an advcate fr, the adptin f AWC culture (utcme fcused, gd science, strng team, cst-effective) acrss the rganisatin. 6. Ensure apprpriate management f risks in relatin t the health and safety f staff, cntractrs, vlunteers and visitrs Key activities and respnsibilities: In accrdance with the requirements f the Natinal Operatins Manager and the Natinal Cnservatin and Science Manager, undertake risk assessments and prepare risk management plans fr peratins at each site. The risk assessments and management plans must prtect the health and safety f everyne n sanctuary including yu, ther staff, cntractrs, vlunteers and visitrs. Implement and cmply with the prvisins f the apprved risk management plan. Ensure Safety Management plans and safe wrk systems, as apprved by the Natinal Operatins Manager, are implemented and cmplied with In particular: Ensure that yu and all staff, cntractrs and/r vlunteers have adequate training befre using plant, equipment, tls and/r vehicles. Ensure emergency prcedures are develped and psted in apprpriate lcatins. Ensure staff members have up-t-date first aid certificates. Ensure incident and near miss reprts are filled ut and submitted as per apprved AWC plicies and prcedures, in a timely manner. 7. Assist in the develpment f peratinal plans and budgets fr the NSW Prjects Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist the Senir Eclgist in the preparatin f peratinal plans and budgets fr science cmpnents f the NSW Prjects Ensure AWC bligatins under prject agreements and apprvals are met Nte: plans and budgets are subject t apprval by the Natinal Operatins Manager and Natinal Cnservatin & Science Manager and shuld be develped in cnjunctin with the NSW Operatins Manager. They need t meet AWC requirements and the requirements f Natinal Parks management plans, plicies and ther instruments relevant t the Prject Sites. 8. Assist in the implementatin f apprved peratinal plans and prvide regular prgress reprts Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist in the implementatin f science activities set ut in apprved peratinal plans (including all deliverables specified by cntract/funding agreements). Ensure activities are implemented in accrdance with requirements f AWC plicies and relevant permits. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 7 f 8

8 Cntribute t the preparatin f quarterly and annual reprts detailing prgress in implementing the plans. Prvide additinal prgress reprts, as requested. Seek apprval fr any variatin frm the peratin plans and, if apprved, versee r implement the amended plans. 9. Gvernment, cmmunity and stakehlder engagement Key activities and respnsibilities: Develp and maintain prductive wrking relatinships with staff frm NSW Gvernment agencies, including: Office f Envirnment and Heritage, especially Natinal Parks and Wildlife Service; Other regulatry agencies. Assist in the develpment and implementatin f an Engagement Strategy and a Lcal Cmmunity Strategy at each Prject Site t prmte the engagement f key stakehlders, including the brader scientific cmmunity, and the delivery f benefits t lcal cmmunities. Wrk effectively with neighburs and ther interested parties in the design and delivery f the prject. 10. Financial management and reprting Key activities and respnsibilities: Deliver activities in a cst-effective manner. Ensure that all peratinal expenditure is in accrdance with: The apprved budget; r Fr expenditure nt identified in the budget, a relevant apprval in accrdance with AWC financial prcedures. Ensure that all expenditure is in accrdance with AWC plicies and prcedures. Ensure that necessary financial reprts are prepared in accrdance with AWC plicies and prcedures. Ensure all required recrds and paperwrk are retained and, as necessary, submitted t the AWC finance department. 11. Oversee the science vlunteer (including intern) prgrams Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist the Senir Eclgist in management f vlunteers assisting in the science prgram at each Prject Site, ensuring integratin with AWC s natinal vlunteer prgram. In particular, ensure AWC staff: Select apprpriate peple as vlunteers; Prvide vlunteers with infrmatin and agreements befre travelling t Prject Sites (e.g. n cnditins, the tasks they will be asked t perfrm etc); and Induct and manage vlunteers adequately. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 8 f 8

9 Cntribute t the intern prgram, including the selectin and engagement f interns, evaluatin and reprting f interns. 12. Assist in the implementatin f an effective infrmatin and cmmunicatins strategy Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist in the implementatin f a Cmmunicatins Strategy fr each Prject Site. Cntribute t the recrding and submissin within AWC f infrmatin, including infrmatin relating t wildlife, ecsystems and science prgram activities. As required, cmpile and submit infrmatin and images fr use in relatin t all cmmunicatins prducts including: Wildlife Matters, AWC website Visitr displays and infrmatin Prducts required under the AWC-NSW Agreement. Submit regular weekly reprts n science activities. Represent AWC at varius public events, as requested by the Senir Eclgist, and in accrdance with AWC plicies and requirements. 13. Assist in the implementatin f develpment prgrams Key activities and respnsibilities: As required, assist in the implementatin f develpment (fundraising) prgrams nting the significant philanthrpic c-investment by AWC in the Prject. Assist in drafting, submissin and management f applicatins fr funding. Prepare reprts. Assist with planning, c-rdinatin and implementatin f events. 14. Undertake ther tasks, as required Key activities and respnsibilities: Assist in the management and maintenance f all assets used by the NSW science team. Assist with all necessary permit applicatins, annual returns and ther required reprts t gvernment authrities, t facilitate the cnduct f the science prgram. Cnduct ther day-t-day management tasks, as required, t ensure the effective cnservatin f the sites. Cmply with all AWC plicies and prcedures. Wildlife Eclgist (NSW) Page 9 f 8