Work with Connecting Country – project officer role

Posted on 19 June, 2018 by Frances

Invitation for expressions of interest to work with Connecting Country – Project officer role

We’re announcing an exciting opportunity to work with Connecting Country. With new projects starting and staff leave planned, we’re inviting expressions of interest from people with relevant skills and enthusiasm. This is an opportunity for a hardworking person with experience in natural resource management to join our established community-run organisation.

Connecting Country

Connecting Country works with landholders and community groups to restore landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region, on both public and private land. Further information about our work is available on our website (www.connectingcountry.org.au).

Project officer role

The Project officer is responsible for managing the on-ground aspects of projects. This includes ecological site assessments, property management plans, technical advice, practical assistance with on-ground works, and support to landholders to help them protect and manage remnant vegetation and habitat on their land. Typical management actions include grazing exclusion, fencing to protect natural regeneration, revegetation, and control of pest plants and animals.

This is a flexible part-time role (up to four days per week) based in Castlemaine, Victoria. It is a short-term (ten month) contract position, with contract extension subject to funding availability.

This position requires the ability to:

Identify local native and introduced flora species.
Engage and communicate with people from a range of backgrounds.
Write clearly and concisely.
Work independently and as part of a team, being flexible as the situation demands.
Manage time and workload, managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines.
Exercise good judgment, make ethical decisions and set priorities.
Drive a manual four-wheel drive vehicle and tow a trailer (with training if required).

Tasks will include:

Engage landholders, Landcare groups and other community members regarding projects.
Visit properties across the Mount Alexander Shire to assess their suitability for inclusion in our projects.
Conduct ecological assessments of properties, interpret ecological mapping, record plant species lists, assess weeds, and prepare planting lists.
Identify and recommend management actions to protect remnant vegetation, and promote biodiversity and habitat quality.
Help develop and manage project budgets and schedules.
Manage contractors to implement on-ground works such as fencing, revegetation, and weed and rabbit control.
Prepare property management plans describing the property condition and proposed management actions, to help landholders manage their properties for wildlife.
Prepare simple maps using Google Earth or other mapping software.
Manage ordering and delivery of tubestock plants for revegetation.
Provide advice and ongoing technical support to landholders.
Implement project health and safety requirements.
Communicate with team members, land managers, community groups, contractors and suppliers as required.
Prepare clear, timely and informative reports on project activities.

How to express interest

Please provide your written expression of interest by email to info@connectingcountry.org.au by 1 July 2018, including a brief application letter summarising your suitability for the role and curricula vitae demonstrating your relevant skills and experience.

For further information contact Frances on 03 5472 1594 (Monday to Thursday) or info@connectingcountry.org.au.