Advance your career in conservation biology & applied ecology

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is the largest private (non-profit) owner of land for conservation in Australia, protecting endangered wildlife at 30 sanctuaries in which we own or manage in partnership, covering a total of more than 6.5 million hectares in iconic regions such as the Kimberley, Cape York, the Top End and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. With a focus on practical land management, informed by world-class science, AWC is implementing a dynamic new model for conservation.

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 a nationally-coherent program of ecological surveys with a focus on monitoring key conservation assets and threats, conducting applied research relevant to wildlife conservation, implementing conservation programs including reintroductions, and providing advice to management.
• Fundraising – mobilising finance (primarily, tax deductible donations) from the general public and philanthropists including through effective communication of AWC conservation programs.

AWC implements conservation and land management on five wildlife sanctuaries in south-east Australia: Newhaven in the Northern Territory, and Kalamurina, Buckaringa, Dakalanta and Yookamurra in South Australia. Additionally, AWC has partnered with local landholders and conservation groups in a project to protect threatened species on Kangaroo Island (SA). Further partnership projects are planned in the region.

AWC is seeking a highly motivated Wildlife Ecologist (South-east) to join our team of ecologists responsible for implementing AWC’s science program in South-east Australia. A particular focus of this position will be managing our program at Yookamurra, a 5000 ha wildlife sanctuary in the Murray Mallee, supporting a number of threatened mammal populations in an 1100 ha fenced feral predator-free area. A PhD in ecology or a related field is essential for appointment to the Wildlife Ecologist position (consideration will be given to appointment at the Senior Field Ecologist level for candidates without a PhD but substantial relevant experience in conservation). The successful applicant will have the capacity to design, implement, interpret and communicate ecological surveys and research projects, and should have demonstrated capacity to lead a small team of ecologists in the field.

Key duties of the Wildlife Ecologist include:

• Contribute to the development, implementation and reporting of AWC’s science program in the South-east, particularly Yookamurra. Major tasks in the science program include ecological monitoring, the reintroduction of locally-extinct species, and ecological research.

• Work in an integrated way with AWC operations staff to design and implement conservation and land management strategies.

• Work effectively with key stakeholders, including government agencies, threatened species recovery teams and other conservation entities, the local community and Indigenous interests.
• Communicate AWC’s science program to the scientific community and to the public through publications, reports, presentations, participation in workshops, etc.

• Assist with AWC’s education, communication and fundraising activities.

This is a great opportunity to join the science program of Australia’s largest non-government conservation organisation and to make a strong contribution to our nationally-significant applied ecology program.

This role is to be based at Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary (2hrs from Adelaide SA), or another location as agreed.

Enquiries only:

Helen Crisp, Regional Ecologist SE | [email protected] using the subject line: Wildlife Ecologist (South-east) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To submit an application, click on Apply Now to visit our careers page, select the relevant job vacancy, click ‘APPLY’ and follow the prompts.

Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description on our website or attached. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.

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. By providing us with your contact details, your consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

To learn more about AWC’s sanctuaries, please visit our website www.australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries/

Position Description - Wildlife Ecologist (SE) 2021