Field Ecologist/Wildlife Educator | Yookamurra

About AWC:

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is a global leader in conservation, providing hope for Australia’s wildlife with a science-informed, land management partnership approach that delivers high-impact results. We protect endangered wildlife across 12.9 million hectares and deliver effective conservation on AWC wildlife sanctuaries and properties managed in partnership or under contract with other organisations. 

About the Location and Role:

Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary is in the Mid-Murray region of South Australia. Yookamurra is one of Australia’s longest-running ‘safe havens’, with a 1,100-ha fenced feral predator-free area supporting a number of reintroduced threatened mammal species: the Numbat, Greater Bilby, Burrowing Bettong and Brush-tailed Bettong. The property protects over 5,000 ha of habitat, including regionally rare old-growth mallee. AWC operations and science staff work together to implement conservation actions on Yookamurra, including feral animals, weed and fire management, and a monitoring and research program. In addition, Yookamurra also hosts AWC’s major on-site school education program. This program, located inside the fenced area, provides students with a unique and engaging environmental learning experience through day trips or overnight camps, consisting of guided science-based projects and activities strongly linked to the SA school curriculum.   

Commencing March – April 2024, AWC is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Field Ecologist / Wildlife Educator to deliver both our science program across the Central-South region and lead the delivery of our long-standing education program at Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary. Approximately 60% of your role will be dedicated to helping deliver our science program, which will involve assisting field-based surveys across the region. The remaining 40% will be delivering our education program at Yookamurra over a 9.5-month period, with a possibility of returning in 2025 to do the same. For further information, please refer to the position description.

Critical competencies:

✨ Getting things done - You need good planning, organisational and administration skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute tasks efficiently and professionally and coordinate and manage events.
✨ Group management and Teamwork - You must have demonstrated experience in tour guiding, environmental education and/or sound presentation skills to groups of varying ages and backgrounds.
✨ Good knowledge of the conservation of Australian wildlife and ecosystems - including the nature and functioning of the Australian biota, major threats to wildlife and their habitats, and how they can be mitigated.
✨ Excellent communication skills - including the capacity to draft scientific reports and publications, draft funding applications and reports, and communicate science and conservation messages to a broad audience in an easy-to-understand way,  
✨ Self-motivation - You will be able and motivated to work with minimal supervision.
✨ Competence in financial management, paperwork, and compliance - You will need to deliver programs in a cost-effective manner and manage financial resources, ensuring compliance with AWC processes.
✨ Willingness to travel - as required for the position, including spending time on-site and overnight at sanctuaries.

Qualifications:

• A higher degree (honours degree or equivalent) in ecology or a related discipline is essential.
• Experience in environmental education is highly desirable.

Licenses, Certificates &/or Training:

• Valid Australian manual driver’s license. 4WD experience desirable.
• First aid training and/ or being willing to be trained in the provision of first aid.
• Working with Children Check (SA) and/ or be willing to obtain this.
• National police clearance certificate and/ or be willing to obtain this
• Safe food handling certificate and/ or be willing to obtain this

​​​​​To view the position description for this role, click here: Position Description - Field Ecologist/Wildlife Educator – Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary or check out https://www.australianwildlife.org/work-with-awc/careers/ and click on the position. 

Join our Journey:

Take the leap and start your next adventure with the AWC!  AWC reserves the right to start screening applicants and interviewing throughout the recruitment process, and should we find a suitable candidate prior to the closing date, we will advise accordingly.  Initial enquiries: **********@australianwildlife.org

Applications: 
To apply, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts to complete an online application form. Your application must include a CV and cover letter briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.
Please note: 
• Applicants must be Australian citizens/permanent residents or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply for the internship program. Sponsorship is not available.

• 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.

• Any application submitted to AWC will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at www.australianwildlife.org/privacy-policy. By providing us with your contact details, your consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islanders, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity. AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part of the success of AWC. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.