Overview

* $75,452pa (Band 5), plus super * Temporary Full Time, until June 2022 (maternity leave replacement)

The Biodiversity Project Officer is responsible for implementing the Rural Engagement Program in collaboration with the Rural Environment Officer. The Rural Engagement Program aims to support rural landowners in Hume City in the protection and management of land, agriculture and biodiversity and includes three incentive programs; the Conserving our Rural Environment (CoRE) grant, Primary Producer Rate Rebate (PPRR) and Rural Land Management Grant (RLMG).

The role oversees the implementation of these programs, including promotion/marketing, administering an online application process via Smarty Grants, providing guidance and advice to landowners, assessing applications and undertaking property audits to ensure landowners are meeting the eligibility criteria.

In collaboration with the Rural Environment Officer, the role also develops and facilitates an annual education and capacity-building program for rural landowners. This includes field days, workshops, webinars and the development and dissemination of printed materials/resources.#

POSITION OBJECTIVE(S):

  • Coordinate and implement the Rural Engagement Program, including the Conserving our Rural Environment (CoRE) grant, Primary Producer Rate Rebate and Rural Land Management Grant.
  • Engage and support the participation of rural residents in engagement and capacity-building activities for the rural community.
  • Assist and support the implementation of the Land & Biodiversity Plan.
  • Provide sound and specialised advice on control methods for pest plants and animals, native vegetation management and general environmental protection and restoration, including waterways.

Key Skills

  • Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Conservation and Land Management, Environmental Management, or a related discipline with relevant work skills, or lesser formal qualifications with relevant demonstrated relevant experience
  • Sound understanding of local sustainable land management issues within a rural context, their impacts on biodiversity and techniques to manage their impacts.
  • Skills and knowledge in the identification of local flora and fauna, including indigenous plants and plant communities, and weed identification.
  • Experience in engaging with and building the capacity of landowners and / or community groups, the ability to organise and implement engagement programs, develop material to engage the community and promote sustainable land and biodiversity management.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The following qualifications and experience are required for the position:

  • Demonstrated ability to manage time, set priorities, planning and organising one’s own workload and in appropriate circumstances that of other to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within set timetables.
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of relevant Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and procedures, and the ability to ensure contractors adhere to the requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate with minimal supervision and show high levels of initiative.
  • Ability to maintain professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.
  • Ability to engage and supervise contractors to undertake ecological works.