• Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to deliver projects enhancing soil health and productivity
• Office located in Canberra, applicants outside of Canberra will be considered
• Fixed term contract either full time or part time upon negotiation

ABOUT US

Soils For Life is a national, registered charity, whose mission is to support Australian farmers in regenerating soils and landscapes: to build natural and social capital and transform food systems.

Soils For Life is located in Canberra, but Soils for Life projects are conducted Australia-wide. Soils For Life is governed by a Board and led by the Chief Executive Officer.

Soil is one of the earth's most important natural resources and is essential for healthy plant growth, food production and ecosystem services such as clean, plentiful water and air. Our soils help regulate the earth's climate and they store more carbon than all the world's forests combined, making soil regeneration a key plank in efforts to combat climate change and increasing extremes of weather. Yet Australian soils are degraded and are continuing to degrade through erosion and loss of soil function. This threatens not just farm productivity and profitability, but also our nation's food security, access to water and ecological health.

Our solution is to support a growing movement of farmers and rural leaders dedicated to farming in ways that improve soil and bring life back to the land.

Position Description

The Soil scientist will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to deliver projects enhancing soil health and productivity. In the role you will be responsible for input to the co-design, analysis, integration and writeup of Soils for Life’s case studies. The soil scientist will provide soil knowledge input into all aspects of what we do at Soils for life and will provide a high degree of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) expertise for the effective delivery of projects. The Soil scientist position will be required to engage with farmers, local community groups and other stakeholders. Working closely with the Program Manager and other managers, the position will, under direction, manage projects and subprojects as required.

You may be required to travel to project sites throughout Australia in order to achieve project outcomes.

Specific Tasks

1. Manage Soils for Life partnership, relationship and projects with the Soil CRC.
2. Under the direction of the Program Manager, manage projects and subprojects as required.
3. Work closely with the Program Manager and other case study team members to plan, implement and coordinate research design, field work, data collection, data analysis and report writing.
4. Undertake fieldwork including surveys, sampling and investigations.
5. Undertake data analysis on existing data sets and collected data, including preparing maps, tables, and figures.
6. Design and lead workshops, webinars discussions on soil health and function.
7. Provide input to the design and preparation of project proposals for project grants.
8. Assist, and at times lead, soil monitoring activities and farmer engagement and provide soil biological and ecological input and advice for Soils for Life activities.
9. Contribute to a healthy and supportive workplace culture and ensure work safety strategies are implemented throughout project activities.
10. Other tasks as directed by the CEO.

Selection criteria

1. Tertiary qualifications in soil science, Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or similar.
2. A minimum of five years’ experience in soil science (particularly ecology and biology).
3. Experience and strong interest in soil and landscape regeneration in agriculture. in particular have experience and good practical knowledge in soil biology and soil health.
4. Have training and practical experience in GIS / Spatial Science / Remote Sensing
5. Experience working in the field on a range of sites and experience in soil sampling and analysis.
6. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare research reports, and information products for a range of audiences as well as presenting at seminars, field days, workshops, etc.
7. Experience and proficiency in working with a range of stakeholders including farmers, community groups, industry and government.
8. Proven ability to contribute to an inclusive, safe and healthy workplace.

Further information

Dr Daniela Carnovale, [email protected] using the subject line: Soil Scientist - Ecology enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.