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.

In NSW, AWC has been contracted by the NSW Government to reintroduce up to 10 species of threatened mammals into two NSW protected areas - Mallee Cliffs National Park in south-west NSW, and part of the Pilliga forest in north-central NSW. The Pilliga project site extends over 36,000 ha of Pilliga National Park and the Pilliga State Conservation Area. AWC has constructed a conservation fence on the site to establish a 5,800 ha feral predator-free area, into which six threatened mammal species will be reintroduced. To date, two species have been successfully established on site – the Greater Bilby and Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, with the remaining four species planned for reintroduction from 2021. AWC is also responsible for delivering conservation management and an associated science program (monitoring, research) across the project site.

Reporting to the Regional Ecologist NSW, the Wildlife Ecologist will lead our team of ecologists responsible for implementing AWC’s science program at the Pilliga project site. A PhD in ecology or similar is essential. Post-graduate experience in any of conservation biology, applied ecology, ecological monitoring/research, and reintroductions will be highly regarded. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated capacity to lead a team of ecologists. Stakeholder management is also critical. As such, the position requires well-developed communication and organisational skills. This position is based at Narrabri, NSW.

Key duties of the Wildlife Ecologist include:

• Contribute to the development, implementation and reporting of AWC’s science program in the Pilliga. Major tasks in the science program include ecological monitoring, the reintroduction of locally-extinct species, and ecological research.
• Lead a team of AWC ecologists working in the Pilliga.

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

• Work effectively with key stakeholders, including staff from the NSW Government, various threatened species recovery teams and the local community, in relation to the Pilliga project.
• 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 communication and fundraising activities.

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

Enquiries only to Dr Greg Holland, Regional Ecologist NSW | [email protected], using the subject line: Wildlife Ecologist - Pilliga enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To submit an application, visit our careers page (linked above), 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 Pilliga 2020