About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to manage the Balanggarra Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in the Northeast Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Balanggarra land and sea country covers approximately 26.000 km² and comprises stunning tablelands, gorges and ravines, floodplains, estuaries, beaches and so on. The area has a rich biodiversity including large saltwater crocodiles, Gouldian finches, Northern Quolls, Barramundi, Black-footed Rock wallaby and many others. The area is home to the Balanggarra people who have a strong connection to their ancestral land and culture, and today live across a number of communities in the region including Wyndham, Kununurra and Kalumburru.

The Balanggarra Ranger Coordinator ensures the operational delivery of the Balanggarra ranger program. This involves providing strong leadership to a small team of Indigenous rangers to deliver on their annual works plan, as set by Balanggarra traditional owners and guided by a Healthy Country Plan. The works plan is made up of a diverse range of cultural and natural resource management activities, including fire management, threatened and pest species management, preservation of rock art sites, on country trips with senior traditional owners, engagement with the local school and much more. The role also involves staff management and program management.

What are we looking for?

• A dynamic individual who is passionate about living and working in this fascinating part of Australia.
• Someone with an interest in delivering and supporting land and sea management programs in a cross-cultural context.
• A natural leader who can build bridges of common understanding on often difficult and contentious issues.
• Someone with a can-do attitude and the ability to work both independently and in a team, whilst assuring proper consultation with the Traditional Owners/stakeholders.

What do you get in return?

The Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (KLC) is an association of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley region. Established in 1978 by Aboriginal people to work for the protection of traditional land and waters, the KLC is charged with the responsibility to protect, enhance and gain formal status (legal, social and political) for the customs, laws and traditions of Kimberley Traditional Owners.

KLC offers the opportunity to work in one of Australia’s most stunning landscapes where you will be able to join the rangers on trips to amazing sites, work with threatened species, learn traditional land management principles from the oldest living culture in the world, work and travel in some of the most remote and unspoilt landscapes in Australia, and take advantage of attractive salary and employment conditions.

Selection Criteria

Please note that it is essential your application addresses each of the selection criteria by providing information about your qualifications, experience and skills as they relate to each one.

Essential:

1. Experience and/or qualification(s) in ecology/threatened species conservation/anthropology/social sciences/community development/ or other related field;
2. Demonstrated experience and confidence in working with Aboriginal communities, managing small teams and/or coordinating on-ground natural and cultural resource management projects, preferably with Indigenous organisations and/or in arid and remote regions of Australia;
3. Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal social and cultural challenges in Northern Australia and willingness to commit to community empowerment, training and development;
4. Experience in working independently with minimal supervision in a remote area and demonstrated capacity to remain focused, positive and organised in a challenging work environment;
5. Good communication, negotiation and community consultation skills including ability to work with an advisory group and as a member of a team;
6. Demonstrated experience in project administration and finance management including grant writing, reporting and acquittals;
7. Proficiency in Administration, Reporting, using Computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
8. Current valid driver’s licence and experience operating vehicles and/or heavy duty machinery in remote off road conditions
9. A Working with Children’s Check (WCC) or ability to obtain one.

Desirable

1. Understanding of native title and land tenure and community governance
2. Technical or trade skills relevant to the ranger program (i.e. construction, fire and weed management, GIS, cultural mapping, plant and animal identification, small engine maintenance)
3. Experience working with community development in a cross cultural setting
4. Coxswain Qualification and experience in Maritime Operations

Salary and Benefits:

An attractive salary package including 5 weeks’ annual leave, relocation, leave loading, district allowance, rental subsidy and the option to salary sacrifice up to $15,889 per annum will be offered to the successful candidates.