Landscape Ecologist/Biodiversity Conservation Ecologist - CLOSED
Applications close Sunday 20th March
70,000 - 90,000 + superannuation, depending upon experience
Full time position, fixed term contract 2.5 years
Flexibility with option to structure hours
Flexibility to work from home (office based in Kyneton, Victoria)
Transport allowances to be determined with candidate
Applications are encouraged from Indigenous Australians
Biolinks Alliance is committed to providing a safe working environment for all employees and affiliated network members and as such requires employees to be up to date with COVID vaccinations
Position overview
Make a difference and lead a new type of collaborative nature conservation project in Victoria that seeks to find practical and strategic local solutions for nature conservation, and to align conservation efforts across the variety of land tenures, types and uses to achieve far-reaching impacts at a landscape scale.
Biolinks Alliance is a community-driven initiative that aims to restore the connectivity, condition and resilience of landscapes and halt the further decline of species. Our mission is to support, coordinate and amplify community efforts to repair regional ecosystems at a landscape scale. Biolinks represents a new type of partnership and capacity building organisation that is key to restoring ecosystems and stopping species extinctions in the face of climate change.
Biolinks Alliance is seeking a skilled and passionate ecologist with an interest in working in a team to design and implement landscape-scale conservation/restoration projects with stakeholders including First Nations people, farmers, landholders, conservation groups and volunteer organisations.
The role will involve providing ecological expertise to landholders, input into the design and delivery of innovative pilot landscape restoration projects and input into the Alliance’s Knowledge and Networking program for broad knowledge sharing across regions and landscapes.
We are seeking a candidate with strong ecological knowledge as well as an interest and aptitude in community engagement, partnership building and project management skills. The role will require the reading of landscapes, taking into account their past land use histories and current pressures (both environmental, economic and social) to seek effective, practical and scalable reparation solutions.
The role will play a major part in delivering key pilot landscape repair projects that aim to demonstrate how landscapes can be repaired with new shared-visions and thinking, application of the best science, community capacity building, innovative demonstration ecological restoration projects and importantly the alignment of local efforts.
You will be joining a small but growing team at an exciting time as our organisation enters its next stage of growth.
Key responsibilities
Work collaboratively with a small team of scientists, local landscape facilitators and engaged stakeholders to develop shared visions and plans to address the ecological problems facing regions using Biolink Alliance’s unique Local to Landscape system
Provide ecological expertise into the design of innovative ecological protection and restoration projects explicitly addressing the functional repair of landscapes and enhance its ability to withstand and adapt to climate change.
Engage one-on-one with landholders and community environment groups and undertake ecological property assessments
With a team, support the delivery of innovative pilot ecological restoration projects
Contribute to the Alliance’s Knowledge and Networking Program for sharing practical and scientific information around ecosystem restoration through programming Symposia, developing online materials and designing and delivering field-based learning events
Contribute to developing and writing of project plans, prospectuses, and grant funding proposals
Implement monitoring and evaluation programs measuring outcomes resulting from the Alliance’s Programs and Projects.
** Please read the Position Description attached to ensure you understand the full range of roles and responsibilities of the position.
About you
Motivated to use your skills to fast-track the implementation of scaling up ecological restoration to meet species extinction and climate crises
Ideally you have knowledge of the ecosystems and/or a particular species group and ecosystem functional processes in central Victoria
You have awareness of ecosystem restoration techniques, with some practical experience
Passionate about ecology and communicating the value of scientific thinking to solving our most pressing problems to others
You are a clear communicator, keen to convey scientific narratives with accuracy and style
Desire to contribute to our 2040 vision to restore the health of central Victoria’s natural environment and it’s species are no longer in decline
You live in the central Victorian region or are able to readily access it
Selection criteria
Post graduate level qualifications in ecological science, botany, zoology, natural resource management or other relevant fields
A minimum of 2 years practical ecological experience (paid or voluntary), including in field ecology and ecological restoration strategy and implementation roles either with a not-for-profit, consulting, government or research organisation
Demonstrated motivation to scale up ecological conservation efforts and to contribute to affecting the types of transformative changes to Australian land management that result in landscapes that can support nature and people.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the issues related to biodiversity conservation, Landcare and sustainable land management in central Victorian ecosystems eg temperate grasslands, grassy woodlands, dry sclerophyll forests and wetlands
Demonstrated understanding and practical application of available conservation planning and decision making tools
Experience in landscape scale spatial environmental data manipulation, analysis and visualisation tools (GIS).
Demonstrated ability to communicate with a wide range of people from landholders, volunteers, Traditional owners to government agency representatives, and to nurture effective partnerships
Experience designing and implementing nature conservation, ecological restoration or improved land management projects.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including and the ability to contribute to project reports, communications content (email, social media, website) and to speak in public.
Well-developed time management, planning and priority setting skills and the ability to work autonomously as well as a team-member
Demonstrated innovative and creative thinking and problem solving in your work and/or research
A collaborative attitude and a team player. A willingness to contribute and offer value to the Biolinks team, as well as more broadly to the project stakeholders and other network member groups.
Ability to deliver complex projects on time and to budget, in conjunction with project managers
Understanding of National and Victorian conservation tools including key databases and environmental policy frameworks.
Grant writing experience
Willingness to work occasional weekends and to attend evening meetings
A current Victorian drivers license
Benefits and culture
Flexible working conditions - work from office/home hybrid
Opportunities to work with a very diverse range of stakeholders such as Traditional Owners, Landcare facilitators, volunteers, community members, landholders, academics etc
Opportunities for professional development including mentorship from Senior consulting ecologists, networking opportunities and relevant training opportunities
Location
The location for this position is negotiable, preferably Kyneton, or in a home office in Melbourne or regional central Victoria.
Application requirements
Applicants should submit a current curriculum vitae and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria
Applicants need to answer the following real-world question:
You have been approached by a landholder Jane, who runs a reasonably large (800 hectare) grazing property in central Victoria for advice on how to better incorporate the needs of local native species into her farming operation. She is involved in landcare and planted trees along the creeks and as shelterbelts on her property for many years, but is concerned that despite her efforts and those of some others in the district, even native species that were once common were not being sighted as regularly as they once were. Please describe what you see as the potential for nature conservation gains that private landholders like Jane offer and how you would go about responding to her request. Download and reference this map when answering - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qfhmxzxufdhl0nk/AADW9i1bHi5P1d5BcyeCnpT2a?dl=0
(Please note we expect this question to take you between 30 and 60 minutes to answer with submissions no longer than 500 words. This exercise is to better understand the ways in which you approach the problem - there is no “correct” answer.)
Interview process
A shortlist of applicants will be invited to attend a 20 minute online meet-and-greet of key Biolinks Alliance staff (via Zoom)
Formal interviews will be conducted either online (via Zoom) or in person, depending on availability, location, convenience etc of the applicant and interview panel
Final round interviews will be conducted onsite at a location where the applicant can discuss the ecological relevance of the site (site locations will be discussed with candidates throughout the interview process)