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 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.

OneAWC is defined as ‘a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders. A group of people who all understand AWC’s mission, vision and their role in contributing to the achievement of mission and vision, all connected and working towards a common purpose, guided by a set of shared values’. The delivery of AWC’s mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other.

Of the 30 sanctuaries, six are in the southeast region: Kalamurina, Buckaringa, Dakalanta and Yookamurra in SA, Newhaven in NT, and Scotia in NSW, covering a combined area of more than one million hectares and protecting a diversity of threatened species and habitats.

Since the extensive wildfires during the summer of 2019/2020, AWC has been working with local conservation organisation, Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife (KILfW), and concerned landholders, to help protect the critically endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart and other threatened species.

Covering 440,000 hectares, Kangaroo Island is a renowned biodiversity hotspot, and natural haven for several threatened and endemic species, and is best known for its rugged landscapes and close encounters with native wildlife.

AWC and KILfW are working to protect the Kangaroo Island Dunnart population by establishing a safe haven within a feral cat-proof fence in the Western River area of Kangaroo Island. The critical refuge offers respite for many other fauna & flora impacted by the fires, including the Kangaroo Island Echidna, Bassian Thrush, Western Whipbird, Heath Monitor, Southern Emu-wren and Southern Brown Bandicoot.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager- South East, AWC is seeking an experienced Conservation Land Management Practitioner, to be based on Kangaroo Island, to support the Kangaroo Island project in a range of conservation land management, asset and infrastructure programs.

The successful applicant, with the guidance and support of the Regional Operations Manager, will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities outlined in an approved Conservation Works Plan. As such, the candidate will require knowledge of and be able to demonstrate experience in the delivery of land management programs for conservation including fire management, weed and feral animal control.

The role of the Kangaroo Island Operations Manager extends to a broad range of tasks including asset and infrastructure maintenance. As such, practical skills in relation to asset and infrastructure repair and maintenance, and the ability to use, a wide range of plant and equipment is essential.

You will need to be capable of working with a wide range of people including private landholders, land managers, scientists, students, volunteers, visitors, neighbouring landholders, government officials, and will be committed to helping AWC develop and implement a new model for conservation.

Working with our partners on Kangaroo Island to establish this new project is a unique opportunity to join Australia’s largest non-government conservation organisation and help shape the future of private sector conservation in Australia.

This role is a 12-month, full-time contract based on Kangaroo Island, SA, operating out of the Western River Refuge. AWC-provided accommodation will not be available for this role.

Enquiries only:

Joe Schofield, Regional Operations Manager- South-east | [email protected] using the subject line: Operations Manager - Kangaroo Island enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0427 332 922

To submit an application, click Apply Now 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 the attachment.

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: australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries/

Position Description - Operations Manager Kangaroo Island 2020