Introduction:
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:
The Senior Operations Manager – Top End is a senior leadership role responsible for delivering effective, on-ground conservation across a portfolio of AWC sites in the Northern Territory. Based from Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs, this position oversees conservation operations at our Bullo River Station Conservation Partnership and provides leadership and support to the Sanctuary Managers at Wongalara and Pungalina.
Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager – Central Region, you will lead a remote and diverse team of permanent staff, contractors and casual employees to deliver land management programs safely, efficiently and in line with science-based strategies. You will oversee the planning and delivery of fire management, feral animal control, weed control, fencing and infrastructure projects, while preparing and managing operational plans and budgets across the three sites. You will embed strong safety and risk management practices, partner closely with the Science team to ensure activities are informed by AWC's conservation targets, and build productive relationships with private landholder partners, neighbours, government departments and regulatory agencies. You will also support the delivery of visitor and volunteer programs and contribute to AWC's communications and fundraising activities by sharing stories from the field.
Critical competencies:
- Getting things done: you need exceptional planning and organisational skills, including a demonstrated ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner.
- Managing staff: you need excellent people management skills, including the leadership of, and managing and coordinating remote teams of staff and contractors. This includes monitoring safety of staff when they are working/living alone, and monitoring remote staff travel.
- Working with people: excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Practical land management and asset management: demonstrated knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including fire management, weed and feral animal control programs. Demonstrated practical skills managing assets and infrastructure including:
- The planning, supervision and implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects such as fencing and building;
- The planning and delivery of feral eradication programs both within fenced areas and across unfenced landscapes;
- The planning and delivery of prescribed fire programs, including wildfire response; and
- The ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment (generators, pumps, power tools etc, and perform routine repairs, including mechanical, and maintenance.
- 4WD experience in relevant off-road conditions is essential.
- Financial management: demonstrated ability to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to manage financial resources including:
- Preparing and maintaining a budget
- Coding and tracking expenditure, operating within the budget; and
- Preparing written financial and operational reports.
- Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to maintain records, manage data, write letters and reports, manage permit/authorization processes and undertake contract management.
- Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
- Living in the bush: previous experience of working and living in a rural area, preferably remote, and the supervision of teams in geographically diverse locations.
- Information technology: advanced ability in using standard business software packages (including Word, email, Excel, MS Project) is essential.
- A passion for conservation: a passion for, or strong in interest in, conservation.
- Willingness to travel.
Qualifications:
- Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, but is less important than strong, practical experience and a good track record of delivering ‘on-ground’ results.
- Proven experience in delivering ‘on-ground’ results.
Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:
- Valid manual driver’s licence
- Valid agricultural machinery licences for machinery such as trucks, tractors and other vehicles/equipment as relevant (or the capacity to readily obtain these licences).
- Firearms licenses
- Senior first aid certificate or the capacity to readily obtain it (remote certification – highly desirable)
- Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check or willingness to obtain
PLEASE NOTE: This role can be based in Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs, with regular travel to AWC sanctuaries and partnership sites across the Top End region. AWC has offices in Darwin and Alice Springs, while candidates based in Katherine will be required to work remotely from a home-based office.
To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Senior Operations Manager | Top End & Operations Manager | Bullo River
Join our Journey:
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.
Initial enquiries: [email protected]
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. Please note that the cost of the police check is the responsibility of the applicant.
- 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.
AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity. AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.
