Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is Australia’s largest private owner of land for conservation, protecting endangered wildlife across more than 6.5 million hectares. AWC is delivering a contractual project with the NSW Government which will involve the reintroduction to fenced enclosures of at least 10 iconic threatened mammals - including the Bilby, the Numbat and the Western Quoll – into two NSW national parks. The return of these mammals, all currently listed as extinct in NSW, will represent one of the largest biodiversity restoration projects ever undertaken in Australia.

The project sites are located at Mallee Cliffs National Park in southwestern NSW and in the Pilliga forest in north-central NSW. At each project site, AWC will establish a large feral predator-free area (approx. 9,000ha at Mallee Cliffs and 5,800 in the Pilliga forest) using benchmark design fencing, into which endangered mammals will be reintroduced. AWC will also deliver land management and science activities across the national park service sites (beyond the fence) to maximize biodiversity outcomes.

The Operations Compliance Officer will play a key role in supporting the Regional Operations Manager and Operations Manager at Pilliga NP with identifying and facilitating the necessary approvals, permits, compliance and systems for the conduct of the Project on national park estate, as well as assist with carrying out operational activities and planning of works to support the Project.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, key responsibilities for the Operations Compliance Officer include:

• Develop and maintain a schedule of policies and procedures, permits and approvals and administrative processes relevant to AWC’s conduct of conservation land management activities on NSW national park estate, including and not limited to:
  • firearms licencing, accreditations, staff authorisations and standards;
  • shooting activity plans and reporting schedules;
  • pest animal and pest plant treatment staff accreditations and authorisations, and operational standards;
  • bait and chemical registers and reporting schedules;
  • fire management staff accreditations; and
  • operational preparedness and reporting schedules.
• Consult and engage with the NSW NPWS contract management team, AWC Operations Managers and Senior Ecologists to support operational compliance administration for the Contract between AWC and NPWS.
• Consult and engage with AWC Operations Managers and Senior Ecologists, and the AWC IT unit to develop and maintain data recording and reporting systems, hardware and software relevant for the Contract.
• Consult and engage with local and regional NPWS Branches in relation to compliance with procedural permits, approvals and reporting requirements for AWC’s conduct of conservation land management activities on NSW national parks.
• Assist the AWC management team to identify and measure compliance with Contract deliverables.
• Maintain project plans and schedules for reporting to assist the Regional and Operations Managers, Senior Ecologists and National Operations Coordinator measure compliance with Contract deliverables.
• Assist the Operations Managers with the development and implementation of operational conservation land management work plans and activities.
• Provide general administrative support to the project

Ideally having demonstrated experience in project or contract management and administration in public and private sector land management activities, you will be aware of, or have the ability to rapidly gain the knowledge of local and State Government agency policies, procedures and approval processes.

You will have a high level of attention to detail and be committed to ensuring the Project is delivered to the highest standard of delivery. You will be resourceful and able to research and develop initiatives that provide efficient and cost-effective solutions. You must have the capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders including land managers and scientists, neighbours, indigenous communities, local and State Government agency representatives and regional tourism representatives.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, you will need to be motivated by a desire to be part of a team seeking to develop and implement an exciting new model for conservation.

This role will require you to be based in Narrabri, NSW and will require occasional travel to Pilliga NP as well as intrastate and interstate for events, training or meetings relevant to the Project and other AWC activities. This is a unique opportunity to join Australia’s largest non-government conservation organisation, and contribute to the future of wildlife conservation in Australia.

Enquiries:

Tim White, Regional Operations Manager | m: 0447 087 117 | e: [email protected], using the subject line: Operations Compliance Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To submit an application, visit our careers page (linked above), select the relevant job vacancy, click ‘APPLY’ and complete an application form.

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

Position Description - Ops Compliance Officer (Pilliga) 2021