Wildlife Ecologist

**Introduction**:
AWC is looking to employ two Wildlife Ecologists on 6 month contracts to lead development of reintroduction strategies for projects at Orchard Hills (Sydney, New South Wales) and Bullo River Station (Northern Territory).

This is a rare opportunity to develop skills and experience in reintroduction planning.

You will be working with - and supported by - AWC senior ecologists with high-level expertise in reintroductions, designing from first principles a multi-species reintroduction project.
AWC is a national leader in the reintroduction of threatened mammals to parts of their former range: at present, AWC manages reintroduced populations of 23 locally-extinct mammal species at 12 sites, including 11 feral predator-free ‘safe havens’. AWC’s reintroduction program is unpinned by robust conservation science, encompassing the ecology, behaviour and genetics of reintroduced species, and an understanding of the impacts of climate change.

The Orchard Hills project involves restoration of an area of Cumberland Plain woodland in western Sydney. AWC’s role, initially, is to develop a strategy for the reintroduction of locally-extinct species to a c. 400 ha fenced area on the property.

The Bullo River project has the potential to be the first large-scale multi-species ‘rewilding’ project in northern Australia. AWC has worked with the owner of this iconic 164,000 ha property since 2016 to implement a conservation program that complements the existing pastoral and tourism enterprise.

**The role**:
In developing the reintroduction strategies, the positions will:

- Report to, and be guided by, AWC’s Senior Ecologist responsible for coordinating our reintroduction program nationally, and
- Engage with AWC’s expertise in reintroduction ecology, genetics, climate change, and related areas of knowledge, as well as with external expertise as useful.

**Other duties of each position include**:

- Working effectively with key stakeholders, including property owners, managers, government agencies, recovery teams, the conservation science sector, Indigenous groups and local communities, to scope, develop and communicate reintroduction strategies appropriate to one or both properties.
- Assisting with AWC’s communication and fundraising activities.

**Critical competencies**:

- Getting things done: you need well-developed planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute tasks in an efficient manner.
- Leadership: you need well-developed skills in leadership and team-work, including the ability to promote AWC culture, strategies and policies amongst AWC staff.
- Collaboration: you need good relationship-building and collaborative skills, including the ability to work effectively with colleagues, and to develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, the scientific community, conservation and land management organisations, indigenous groups and the broader community.
- Knowledge of the conservation of Australian wildlife and ecosystems: you will have well-developed knowledge of the nature and functioning of Australian ecosystems, threats to native wildlife and their habitats, and how threats can be mitigated. Ideally, you will have experience working in reintroduction projects, and / or with land managers to develop or implement conservation management strategies.
- Ecological research skills: you will have well-developed knowledge of the ecological literature relevant to conservation in Australia; well-developed knowledge of experimental design and sampling methods; and relevant skills in the use of computer software packages relevant to the position.
- Scientific communication skills: you will have a demonstrated capacity to write scientific reports and publications, and to communicate science and conservation messages to professional and general audiences.
- Project management and reporting: you will have the capacity to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to report on project outcomes in a timely manner.
- Resourcefulness: you will have the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
- Willingness to travel: you will need to be able to visit the project locations to conduct the requirements of the position.

**Qualifications**:

- A PhD in ecology or a related discipline.

**Licenses, Certificates and/or Training**:

- Valid Australian driver’s licence. Ideally, you would be able to drive a manual 4WD vehicle in difficult conditions. Training in relevant competencies may be required.

**Location**:
To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Wildlife Ecologist (Reintroductions)

**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 which delivers high impact