Operations Manager | Ngalurrtju

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 Central Region and Ngalurrtju Partnership:

The central region includes ten sanctuaries across the Northern Territory and South Australia, covering nearly 2 million hectares and protecting various threatened species and habitats. These sanctuaries have unique requirements for fire management, invasive species control, ecosystem restoration, and visitor management. The region employs around 20 full-time staff, several interns, research students, and engages casual staff and volunteers. Operations are overseen by Sanctuary Managers and science programs by the Regional Ecologist (Central South).

The Ngalurrtju ALT covers 323,000 hectares on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert in the NT, adjoining AWC’s Newhaven Sanctuary to form a major conservation landscape. Managed in partnership with Traditional Owners, the Central Land Council and AWC, it combines Aboriginal knowledge with science to protect unique species and cultural heritage. This biodiversity hotspot supports a rich assembly of arid-adapted species, including threatened wildlife like the Great Desert Skink and Black-footed Rock-wallaby.

You can find more information here: Ngalurrtju Aboriginal Land Trust

About the role:

AWC has developed a new partnership with the Traditional Owners of the Ngalurrtju Aboriginal Land Trust to enhance conservation efforts. This collaboration will integrate AWC's conservation strategies with active involvement from Traditional Owners in planning and through the employment of Indigenous Rangers.

The Operations Manager will play a key role in this partnership by coordinating planning meetings with Traditional Owners, ensuring work plans are approved before implementation, establishing and managing an Indigenous ranger team, and ensuring the program adheres to AWC's standard operating systems. Success in this role will be measured by the development of positive stakeholder relationships and effective conservation outcomes. Key metrics for conservation success include the populations of indicator species, reduction in un-prescribed fires, feral animal populations, and invasive weeds, as well as cost efficiency. To achieve these goals, the Operations Manager must manage resources efficiently according to an approved budget and operations plan, ensuring tight integration between operations and science teams. Engagement with stakeholders and AWC supporters, including participation in events and communications, is also crucial. The Operations Manager should be a strong advocate for AWC's conservation model and achievements.

Critical competencies:

1. Getting things done: Exceptional planning and organizational skills, with the ability to efficiently coordinate, prioritize, and execute numerous tasks.
2. Managing staff: Excellent people management skills, including recruiting, leading, developing, and coordinating remote teams of staff, volunteers, and contractors.
3. Working with people: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of establishing and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.
4. Infrastructure and asset management: Practical skills in asset maintenance and infrastructure projects, including supervising and implementing projects, maintaining assets, and performing routine repairs. 4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential.
5. Land management: Experience in delivering land management programs, including feral eradication, prescribed fire, and weed management programs.
6. Financial management: Ability to deliver projects cost-effectively and manage financial resources, including budgeting, tracking expenditure, and preparing financial reports.
7. Paperwork/compliance: Ability to maintain records, manage data, write reports, manage permit processes, and undertake contract management.
8. Resourcefulness: Ability to improvise and solve problems with limited resources.
9. Living in the bush: Experience working and living in rural or remote areas, and supervising teams in geographically diverse locations.
10. Information technology: Competence in using standard business software packages like Word, Excel, MS Outlook, and cloud servers.
11. Passion for conservation: A strong interest or passion for conservation.
12. Willingness to travel: Open to travelling as needed

Qualifications:

Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, but are less important than having strong, practical experience and a good track record of delivering ‘on-ground’ results in land management.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

1. A valid manual drivers licence with 4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential. 4WD training can be provided to the successful candidate prior commencement.
2. Senior first aid certificate (remote certification – highly desirable).
3. Valid agricultural machinery licenses such as trucks, backhoe and other machinery as relevant (desirable).  
4. Valid firearms license (highly desirable).
5. Chemical use certification.
6. Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (police check), or willingness to obtain one.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is initially offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract with the possibility of an extension or permanency. The role is based in Alice Springs with regular trips to Ngalurrtju (approx. 250km north west), where basic on-site accommodation is available.

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Operations Manager | Ngalurrtju

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: employment@australianwildlife.org

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: 

1. Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply. Sponsorship is not available.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.