Botanist

**Introduction**:
**Join Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)**: Protect Australia's Unique Wildlife
Are you passionate about conservation and making a real difference for Australia's natural ecosystems? AWC, a global leader in conservation, is looking for a Botanist to join our Vegetation Survey Team.
**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.
**About the role**:
Australian Wildlife Conservancy is looking to recruit a botanist with an Honours degree in ecology, botany, or a related field, and a strong passion for pursuing a career in applied vegetation ecology and botany. This is a very rare opportunity to become a part of AWC's nationally based vegetation team.
Reporting to AWC's Vegetation Ecologist, the role will also work closely with a Senior Botanist, both of whom bring advanced expertise in plant identification, vegetation survey and mapping. This role will significantly contribute to the implementation of AWC's nationwide vegetation monitoring and mapping programs, whilst working towards AWC's overall conservation and land management aims.
AWC's vegetation monitoring program informs AWC's Ecohealth reporting by monitoring trends in vegetation structure and composition. The program also conducts research on vegetation responses to mammal reintroductions, with findings published in scientific literature. In addition, the vegetation team contributes to weed management strategies and supports Science and Operations staff by providing expertise in plant identification and vegetation monitoring techniques at fauna survey sites. The role includes additional opportunities to contribute more broadly to aspects of AWC's science program.
This role includes a significant field-based component, taking place across a wide range of vegetation communities and biomes such as semi-arid woodlands and shrublands of inland areas; high-rainfall remote savannas of the Kimberley; species-rich heath and woodland complexes of south-west Western Australia; and rainforests of the Wet Tropics of Queensland.
**Critical competencies**:
Considerable experience in the field in a variety of Australian vegetation communities and a good understanding of landscape ecology.
A very strong interest in plants including well-developed identification skills.
A strong desire to protect ecosystems from degradation including a field-based understanding of the impacts of weed invasion, feral fauna and climate change.
A drive to answer questions about landscape functioning, including plant-fauna interactions.
The desire to work as part of a diverse team of botanists, conservation ecologists, land managers, traditional owners, NPWS partners, interns and volunteers; contributing what you can and learning from the skills, ideas and world-views of your colleagues
An ability to diligently collect and manage data in the field and in the office and a natural ability for learning statistical analyses.
**Resourcefulness**: the ability to improvise and problem-solve, developing practical solutions with the resources at hand.
**Living in the bush**: the field component of the role will be conducted in remote locations. Ideally, you will have experience in living and working in the bush, otherwise the interest and capacity to do so.
Willingness to travel as required to conduct the requirements of the position.

**Qualifications**:

- A degree in botany, ecology or a related discipline, with honours. The level of appointment will depend on the qualifications and experience of the appointee.

**Licenses, Certificates and/or Training**:
Valid Australian manual driver's licence. You will need to be able to drive a manual 4WD vehicle in difficult conditions. Training in relevant competencies may be required.
Remote First Aid (Desirable)
**Inherent requirements of the role**: The execution of tasks associated with the position will involve fieldwork in remote locations and can sometimes be away from an established field base, often in isolated locations working in small teams. The working environment will include extremes of weather - hot and wet and/or dry. The position can be physically demanding and may require walking and climbing over rough terrain, heavy muscular activity including lifting, carrying,