Dunkeld Pastoral Co. Pty Ltd (DPC) is a 100% Australian owned private company that was established in 1976 for the purpose of acquiring agricultural interests primarily in Dunkeld, Victoria with a focus on sustainable management of natural resources and protection of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

Today, DPC is a multifaceted organisation encompassing several business units across a variety of industries in Western VIC, WA and the NT covering farming and agriculture, conservation management and tourism.

DPC is currently seeking a suitably qualified couple to fill 2 x positions at our Theda Station. This is a fantastic opportunity for those with a good work ethic, practical mechanical skills, and a love for the outdoors and Australia’s beautiful yet isolated landscapes.

THEDA STATION

Theda Station is located on the Gibb River-Kalumburu Rd in the far north Kimberley and together with neighbouring DPC managed Doongan Station, comprises over 610,000 Ha of savanna woodland, rocky escarpment, grassland, and rainforest. The properties house an immensely rich biodiversity, and the protection and management of this asset remains a key focus of DPC’s operations.

ABOUT THE ROLES

Reporting to the Kimberley Managers who are based at Doongan, the successful couple will be responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day running of Theda Station. This includes a diverse range of activities ranging from household domestic duties and gardening, through to maintenance of station infrastructure, plant and equipment as well as the implementation and sustainable land management programs, focussed on fire, feral animals and weeds. Our Kimberley team is small; therefore, the variety of work is huge.

Duties include:

• The mechanical maintenance and repairs of machinery such as tractors, slashers, quad bikes, generators, pumps and vehicles, including maintaining records of work undertaken.
• Maintenance and improvement of gardens and surrounding landscape including lawns, gardens, veggie patch, fruit trees, and irrigation systems.
• The maintenance of buildings, workshops, sheds, and other infrastructure such as airstrips
• Care and maintenance of station animals such as chickens, ducks and dogs
• We are not a tourist location, but you will be providing support, meals and accommodation for a small number of invited guests, contractors and researchers 

• Maintenance of tracks/roads and management of erosion
• Maintenance of stock exclusion fencing
• Fire management and fire suppression
• Control of weeds and feral animals including ground and aerial spraying and culling programs
• Logistic and operations support for scientific research and cattle mustering teams

CLIMATE

The Kimberley climate is defined by a distinct wet season (October-April) and dry season (April-October). During the wet season, the property is inaccessible by road for up to 6 months and has temperatures for most of the year over 30 degrees.

The dry season is a busy time at the station. To ensure the station remains operational, some of your duties will be required to be performed 7 days of the week and during some periods may be at short notice (eg fire suppression).

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience with station life and remote living essential
• Practical mechanical knowledge, you will require good diagnostic skills, as there is more involved than general vehicle servicing eg: replacing wheel bearings and brakes.
• Knowledge of sustainable land management practices
• Previous experience with fire management and suppression
• A genuine interest in the environment
• Confident, reliable and willing to use initiative
• Energetic, physically fit and positive people are encouraged to apply due to the remote location of the property.
• Driver’s licence
• CoVid-19 Vaccination

WHAT WE OFFER

• Exposure to progressive archaeological and biodiversity research projects
• Opportunity for professional growth and development particularly in conservation, biodiversity and land management
• The chance to deliver real outcomes and make a difference in the field of natural resource management
• 3-bedroom shared accommodation supplied for the two incumbents, including utilities and keep

REMUNERATION

The successful candidates will be provided with a 3 bedroom fully furnished shared residence, plus keep and utilities. Generous annual leave provisions and a competitive remuneration package will be negotiated subject to experience. Some relocation assistance may be available.

Interested? To submit your application, click Apply Now.

For a confidential discussion and a copy of the position description please call Kim or Ross on 08 9161 4328 at Doongan Station or email [email protected] using the subject line: Station Operations and Land Management Officers x 2 - Kimberley enquiry via EthicalJobs.