Regional Ecologist (2 Positions)

About AWC:

AWC is a pragmatic global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Guided by science, AWC delivers measurable conservation impacts at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species.

At AWC we are inspired by the unparalleled richness of Australia’s wildlife and we are united by our determination to protect its unique animals and landscapes. It is our mission to effectively conserve all Australian wildlife and habitats and our vision is for a world where Australia’s biodiversity is valued and effectively conserved by an engaged community. 

The delivery of AWC’s mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other as a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders. 

AWC’s work is guided by the following values. At AWC, we are:

• Accountable - taking ownership of our actions and outcomes
• Informed - working together to acquire and apply evidence, knowledge and experience
• Respectful - demonstrating care, recognition and integrity 
• Dedicated - committed to delivering effective outcomes, with resilience and tenacity
• Innovative - applying creative thinking for effective solutions
• Sustainable - delivering long-term financial and ecological viability. 

About the role(s): 

AWC is seeking to fill two Regional Ecologist positions across two locations in the Central South region (Alice Springs or Adelaide based) and the North East region (Cairns based). 

The Regional Ecologist is a senior leadership position in AWC’s science program. Reporting to the National Conservation Manager (NCSM), the Regional Ecologist’s primary responsibility is to provide leadership to AWC’s regional science program and the ecologists working within their region. This includes leading the development, implementation and communication of AWC’s science program across AWC properties and partnerships in the region, setting clear priorities and expectations, supporting staff development, and overseeing performance, workloads and resourcing. The position requires a high level of expertise in managing a conservation science program, together with excellent leadership, people management, project management and communication skills. The Regional Ecologist will also contribute to the broader development of AWC’s science program and progress elements of the program within their professional expertise.

In delivering their role, the Regional Ecologist will be required to collaborate closely with AWC’s National Science Team to develop and implement Ecohealth Monitoring Plans, Population and Conservation Management Plans, Conservation Land Management Strategies, Reintroduction Plans and Translocation Proposals, for properties within their remit. The Regional Ecologist will be required to develop good working professional relationships with their counterparts in AWC’s Operations Team, who deliver conservation land management on AWC properties. The position will engage with external stakeholders at the state and regional levels, and represent AWC in conferences, workshops, and other professional and public events.

The Regional Ecologist must be strongly motivated to make a substantial difference in nature conservation, contribute to the development of the private nature conservation sector, and be willing to help develop and promote AWC’s conservation model. 

Critical competencies:

• A demonstrated commitment to wildlife conservation, evidenced through work, education and other relevant activities.
• Advanced 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 these threats can be mitigated. Ideally, you will have experience working with land managers to design conservation management programs.
• Excellent ecological field and research skills including advanced knowledge of the ecological literature; advanced knowledge of experimental design and sampling methods; substantial experience in applied vertebrate ecology and field ecology; advanced skills in statistical analysis of ecological data and the use of computer software packages relevant to the position.
• Leadership: you need strong leadership and people management skills, including the ability to set clear priorities and performance expectations for your team, support the development of ecologists and make sound resourcing and workload decisions within your region. You need to be a visible advocate for AWC’s mission, strategies and policies and be competent in managing staff to ensure your team delivers key tasks, stays engaged and maintains AWC culture.
• Collaboration: you need good relationship-building and collaborative skills to perform your role as part of a team of conservation ecologists. You must be willing to contribute your expertise, and learn from the skills and ideas of your colleagues. You must be willing to engage with the experience and world-view of a diverse range of stakeholders involved in conservation management including AWC Operations managers and other staff, AWC partners, Traditional Owners and the broader community.
• Getting things done: you need strong planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute many tasks in an efficient manner. 
• Scientific communication skills: you will have a well-developed capacity to write and review scientific reports and publications, compose funding applications and reports, and communicate science and conservation messages to a general audience.
• Financial management, paperwork and compliance: you will have the ability to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to manage financial resources, and to ensure contracted obligations are met, commensurate with the requirements of the position. 
• Resourcefulness: you will have the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
• Travel and time in the field: you must be willing to travel away from base and conduct field work to meet the requirements of the position.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A PhD in ecology, conservation science, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in applied ecology, conservation or related work following completion of a PhD is essential, along with demonstrated experience leading or supervising a team, ideally in a field-based or conservation science context.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training: 

• A valid manual driver’s license is essential. You will need to be competent in driving a 4WD in field conditions. Training in relevant competencies may be required.

PLEASE NOTE: We are recruiting for two separate roles in each of the respective regions. Please indicate which one you are applying for in your application. The Central South role is preferably based in Adelaide or Alice Springs and the North East role is preferably based in Cairns. 

The respective detailed position descriptions for the roles are available below: