Operations Compliance Officers

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is Australia’s largest private owner of land for conservation, protecting endangered wildlife across more than 6.5 million hectares.  AWC is delivering a contractual project with the NSW Government which will involve the reintroduction to fenced enclosures of at least 10 iconic threatened mammals – including the Bilby, the Numbat and the Western Quoll – into two NSW national parks.  The return of these mammals, all currently listed as extinct in NSW, will represent one of the largest biodiversity restoration projects ever undertaken in Australia.

The project sites are located at Mallee Cliffs National Park in southwestern NSW and in the Pilliga forest in north-central NSW.  At each project site, AWC will establish a large feral predator-free area (approx. 9,000ha at Mallee Cliffs and 5,800 in the Pilliga forest) using benchmark design fencing, into which endangered mammals will be reintroduced.  AWC will also deliver land management and science activities across the national park service sites (beyond the fence) to maximize biodiversity outcomes. 

The Operations Compliance Officer will play a key role in supporting the Regional Operations Manager and Operations Managers at each project site with identifying and facilitating the necessary approvals, permits, compliance and systems for the conduct of the Project on national park estate, as well as assist with carrying out operational activities and planning of works to support the Project.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, key responsibilities for the Operations Compliance Officer include:

• Develop and maintain a schedule of policies and procedures, permits and approvals and administrative processes relevant to AWC’s conduct of conservation land management activities on NSW national park estate, including and not limited to:
  • firearms licencing, accreditations, staff authorisations and standards;
  • shooting activity plans and reporting schedules;
  • pest animal and pest plant treatment staff accreditations and authorisations, and operational standards;
  • bait and chemical registers and reporting schedules;
  • fire management staff accreditations; and
  • operational preparedness and reporting schedules.
• Consult and engage with the NSW NPWS contract management team, AWC Operations Managers and Senior Ecologists to support operational compliance administration for the Contract between AWC and NPWS.
• Consult and engage with AWC Operations Managers and Senior Ecologists, and the AWC IT unit to develop and maintain data recording and reporting systems, hardware and software relevant for the Contract.
• Consult and engage with local and regional NPWS Branches in relation to compliance with procedural permits, approvals and reporting requirements for AWC’s conduct of conservation land management activities on NSW national parks.
• Assist the AWC management team to identify and measure compliance with Contract deliverables.
• Maintain project plans and schedules for reporting to assist the Regional and Operations Managers, Senior Ecologists and National Operations Coordinator measure compliance with Contract deliverables.
• Assist the Operations Managers with the development and implementation of operational conservation land management work plans and activities.
• Provide general administrative support to the project

Ideally having demonstrated experience in project or contract management and administration in public and private sector land management activities, you will be aware of, or have the ability to rapidly gain the knowledge of local and State Government agency policies, procedures and approval processes.

You will have a high level of attention to detail and be committed to ensuring the Project is delivered to the highest standard of delivery.

You will be resourceful and able to research and develop initiatives that provide efficient and cost-effective solutions.  You must have the capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders including land managers and scientists, neighbours, indigenous communities, local and State Government agency representatives and regional tourism representatives. 

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, you will need to be motivated by a desire to be part of a team seeking to develop and implement an exciting new model for conservation. 

This role will require you to be based in a regional location relevant to either of the project service sites – either Mildura or Narrabri to be negotiated.  The role will require occasional travel to alternative project service sites as well as intrastate and interstate for events, training or meetings relevant to the Project and other AWC activities.

Please note, there are two vacancies for this position:
1. full-time permanent,
2. full-time short-term contract (12 months).

Please visit our website or see the attached position description for more details
www.australianwildlife.org/work-with-awc/careers/