Overview

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of Australia’s threatened wildlife and their habitats. Funded primarily by donations, AWC is taking action to protect Australia’s wildlife by:

• Establishing a network of sanctuaries that protect threatened wildlife and ecosystems;
• Implementing practical, on-ground conservation programs to protect the wildlife at our sanctuaries: these programs include feral animal control, fire management, and the translocation of threatened species;
• Conducting scientific research that help address the key threats to our native wildlife; and
• Hosting visitor programs at our sanctuaries for the purpose of education and promoting awareness of the plight of Australia’s wildlife.

AWC offers opportunities for promising graduate students to gain valuable field experience in conservation research via its Internship Program. In 2020, AWC will offer a total of twelve internships, of 4.5 – 6 months duration, across its network of sanctuaries. Each internship has been designed to provide an exciting training
program.

The program is designed to introduce conservation biologists to a variety of sanctuaries with a host of different ecosystems, flora and fauna, field techniques, and conservation issues. The internships provide a modest living stipend for the duration of the program, plus travel assistance.

• North-west Interns will spend 6 months at Mornington, Marion Downs, Tableland, Charnley RiverArtesian Range, Yampi [WA] and Newhaven [NT], with possible trips to other NW managed properties.
• North-east Interns will spend 6 months based in Cairns* with trips to Brooklyn, Piccaninny Plains, Mt Zero-Taravale, Bowra and Curramore [QLD], Pungalina Seven-Emu, Bullo River Station and/or Wongalara [NT]
• South-west Interns (Karakamia, Paruna and Faure Island) will spend 5 months at Karakamia, Paruna and Faure Island with the possibility of brief visits to Mt Gibson [WA].
• South-west Interns (Mt Gibson) will spend 5 months based at Mt Gibson [WA], with possible trips to one or more of the south-west sanctuaries.
• South-east Interns will spend 6 months based at Newhaven [NT] with trips to Scotia [NSW], Dakalanta, Kalamurina, Buckaringa and/or Yookamurra [SA].
• NSW Interns will spend 5 months based at Scotia [NSW], Mallee Cliffs* and Pilliga [NSW]*.
• North Head Interns will spend 4.5 months based at North Head [Sydney, NSW]*, with possible trips to one or more of the other NSW sanctuaries.

Required Skills/ Selection Criteria:

• A Bachelor degree with Honours (or equivalent experience) in an ecology/conservation program (e.g. BSc Hons)
• Strong commitment to wildlife conservation
• Fauna and flora survey experience
• Demonstrated capacity to live and work in remote areas (including extended periods camping in the field whilst undertaking surveys) with small groups of people
• Demonstrated capacity to diligently collect and manage data
• Understanding of, and ability to learn identification of Australian flora and fauna
• Physically capable to undertake strenuous fieldwork and possessing a high level of fitness
• Preparedness and capacity to follow OHS and animal ethics procedures
• Ability to conduct fieldwork for extended hours at night
• Valid manual Australian (or internationally recognised) drivers’ licence and experience driving manual vehicles
• Fluency in English
• Internships are open to all applicants with the right to work in Australia (appropriate visa, permanent residency etc), though noting key criteria is an understanding of Australian flora and fauna

For general enquiries, please contact:

• North-west: Dr Karen Young karen.young@australianwildlife.org
• North-east: Dr Jennifer Anson jennifer.anson@australianwildlife.org
• South-west: Dr Michael Smith michael.smith@australianwildlife.org
• South-east: Dr Jeff Foulkes jeff.foulkes@australianwildlife.org
• NSW and North Head: Dr Rod Kavanagh rod.kavanagh@australianwildlife.org