(Urgent) Field Ecologist and Wildlife Educator | Yookamurra

Field Ecologist and Wildlife Educator | Yookamurra

Posted: 01/10/2025

Closing Date: 24/10/2025

Job Type: Temporary

Job Category: Science

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:

AWC is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Field Ecologist and Wildlife Educator to help deliver our science program across the Central South region and lead the delivery of our long-standing education program at Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary, South Australia).

Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary is located 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 species: the Numbat, Greater Bilby, Brush-tailed Possum, Burrowing Bettong, Brush-tailed Bettong, and Malleefowl. 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, which consist of guided science-based projects and activities that are strongly linked to the SA school curriculum.

The position is home-based with frequent travel to Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary and other AWC sanctuaries and partnership sites across Central and South Australia. Approximately 60% of the role is dedicated to supporting AWC’s science program, involving a combination of fieldwork (including in remote locations) and office-based tasks, as directed by the Regional Ecologist. The remaining 40% focuses on delivering AWC’s long-standing education program at Yookamurra. As the key contact for participating schools and teachers, the Wildlife Educator will deliver engaging presentations, guided walks (both diurnal and nocturnal), and science-based projects to primary and secondary students. While at Yookamurra, basic single accommodation with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities is provided; accommodation at other sites may vary and can include camping.

- Getting things done:You need good planning, organisational and administration skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute tasks efficiently, professionally, and coordinate and manage events.
- Group management:You need to have demonstrated experience in tour guiding, environmental education and/or sound presentation skills to groups of varying ages and backgrounds.
- Teamwork: you need to work effectively with colleagues and have the capacity to coordinate a small team of interns, volunteers and/ or contractors, including in remote locations.
- Good knowledge of the conservation of Australian wildlife and ecosystems, including the nature and functioning of the Australian biota and major threats to wildlife and their habitats and how these threats 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, particularly school students. The position requires competence in the presentation of data and the use of computer software (PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft, etc) at a level commensurate with the position.
- Working with people:You need good interpersonal skills, including the ability to quickly develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and work in a small team.
- Self-motivation:You will have the ability and motivation 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.
- Resourcefulness:You will have the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
- 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 and/or Training:

- 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.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Yookamurra vacancies are open to individuals as well as two people who know each other, with on-site accommodation available as shared or individual. This role can be offered as a fixed-term full-time position or separated into two fixed-term part-time roles (a 0.6 FTE Field Ecologist and a 0.4 FTE Wildlife Educator).

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.

Applications:To submit an application, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts to complete an online application form. Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.

Please note:

- Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply. Sponsorship is not available.
- Applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment checks, which may include a national police clearance, online medical and a values-based assessment.
- 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, you consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

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