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Reserve Manager - Tarcutta

Bush Heritage Australia
  • Fantastic opportunity to work within a leading conservation organisation
  • Reserve Manager position available at Tarcutta Hills Reserve, nearby town of Wagga
  • Opportunity to live in Regional NSW, closest regional town being Wagga Wagga
  • Circa $75k to $92k salary, inclusive 10% superannuation
  • 0.8 FTE (four days) 3-5 years fixed term contract

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a very real contribution to the protection of Australia’s unique wildlife and their habitat.

Bush Heritage Australia, an independent, leading conservation not-for-profit, is seeking a Reserve Manager at Tarcutta Hills Reserve to work within our team.

Our vision of Healthy Country, Protected Forever sees us work where we are needed most: in areas of high conservation value with low levels of protection. With the help of our donors, we buy and manage land, so we can protect our irreplaceable landscapes and our magnificent native species forever.

Currently we own 37 reserves and we protect and help manage 11.3 million hectares of land across the country. In our mission to return the bush to good health, we provide habitat for 6,700 native species, including at least 226 threatened species. Two proven approaches underline what we do: we carefully select, purchase and manage landscapes of high conservation value; and we work in partnership with Traditional Owners and others to achieve key conservation outcomes.

About the role

The Reserve Manager – Tarcutta is responsible for ensuring the day to day management of Tarcutta Hills Reserve meets the goals of Bush Heritage Australia and the Reserve’s Management Plan. The Reserve Manager is expected to represent and promote Bush Heritage in the region and will also provide advice to Bush Heritage’s planning, marketing and operations programs to ensure that the goals of the organisation are efficiently achieved.

Bush Heritage Australia acquired the 433 hectare Tarcutta Hills Reserve in 1999, and then an additional 305ha in 2021 (totaling the Reserve’s size to be 738ha) to protect what is considered to be one of the largest remaining areas of grassy white box (Eucalyptus albens) woodland in Australia. This vegetation community is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.


The reserve is situated in low rolling hills of the South West Slopes bioregion of NSW and contains extensive areas of white box woodland with a relatively intact grassy understorey and Mugga Ironbark Heathy Forest on ridge tops.

Tarcutta Hills Reserve is highly significant for the conservation of a number of declining and threatened woodland birds (Gang Gang Cockatoo, Flame Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Swift Parrot, Speckled Warbler, Black-chinned Honeyeater) as well as a threatened population of Squirrel Gliders.

The Reserve Manager will require a sound understanding of applied conservation ecology, adaptive management and natural resource management, and will have extensive experience in applying these principles for biodiversity conservation. The Reserve Manager will also have experience in business management, implementing and applying safety related activities, and preparing and managing budgets. Amongst other attributes they will possess skills for managing land, plant and equipment, and supervising staff and volunteers, in a remote bush environment.

Bush Heritage relies on its supporters taking a role in the ongoing management of its reserves. Opportunities to engage others in the delivery of science and land management conservation activities at the Reserve will be undertaken by the Reserve Manager in collaboration with the Access and Visitation Coordinator, Science and Conservation Team and the Volunteer Program Coordinator. The Reserve Manager is also responsible for provision of field advice in relation to business case development and project management processes associated with evaluation of opportunities for Indigenous Engagement. Reserve-based staff, in collaboration with non-reserve staff, plays a key part in ensuring these activities contribute to the successful operation of the Reserve.

A position description is attached.

What you'll need to succeed

  • Commitment and passion for nature conservation and the objectives and values of Bush Heritage
  • Demonstrated understanding and experience working with Indigenous people, and support a Right Way Science approach
  • Qualifications and extensive relevant experience in conservation ecology and/or natural resource management
  • Demonstrated experience implementing Health, Safety & Environment Management Systems and legislation
  • Demonstrated experience in land management, with specific experience in Natural Resource Management (NRM) including biodiversity conservation, pest plant and animal control, and fire management and suppression
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills with demonstrated success working effectively with a diverse range of people, including indigenous and pastoral communities
  • Demonstrated experience and skills maintaining and operating reserve infrastructure, plant and equipment
  • Demonstrated experience in managing projects, budgets, and contractors
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in managing staff and volunteers
  • High level of computer literacy and proficiency with computers including MS Office, spreadsheet, financial, GIS and data management software
  • Manual Driving license, including 4WD experience (or commitment to obtain at own expense prior to employment)

How to Apply

To apply for this role, simply fill in your personal details and answer the questions below. You will then be taken to a page to upload a copy of your CV. There is no need to attach a cover letter or separate document answering key selection criteria.

Couples are welcome to apply for the Reserve Manager.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, such as land management and agriculture, to apply for this role if they have the right skills and experience.

If you require further information, please contact Brenda Duffy (Healthy Landscape Manager, South East Region) on 0417 549 122 / [email protected] or Marina Mateos (Organisational Development Coordinator) on 03 8610 9123 / [email protected], using the subject line: Reserve Manager - Tarcutta enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Bush Heritage Australia actively encourages applicants from diverse groups and communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, women, people with diverse ability and LGBTIQ (sexuality and gender diverse and intersex) communities.

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