Description:
- Highly competitive salary above award and market average, with potential for stratified annual performance bonus
- Ongoing contract (part-time, 3-4 days per week or full-time [flexible]), with annual review and probation period of 6 months
- Commencement - ASAP and no later than February 2026
About the role…
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced invasive species and land management specialist (ideally with expertise in weed control and ecological restoration) to join our team. This role involves overseeing and directing North Barker’s weed and land management projects, including the management of high-priority weeds along State roads, developing project-specific weed management plans, and implementing revegetation and rehabilitation initiatives. The position reports to Directors and project managers but involves a high level of autonomy in managing multiple projects, executing tasks independently, and ensuring project success. The first 6 months of employment will involve a handover and succession period with the incumbent manager (pending retirement).
The successful candidate will be involved with multiple projects and have high autonomy, requiring highly competent time management and communication across all levels of the business. The position includes the supervision and execution of varied land management services, including weed control works, monitoring, survey design and logistics, data analysis, compilation and review of technical reports, contractor/ regulator/ and client liaison, and other project-specific tasks, all within the field of weed and land management services. Contribution to other NBES business components may be applicable within projects.
Key duties:
- Costing, development and delivery of projects within the field of weed and land management, with a lead role in the delivery of NBES weed and hygiene management plans.
- Management, delivery and logistics of typical natural resource management and weed control work, for instance project management, client liaison, regulator discussions, subcontractor management, and report revision on projects being undertaken by other contractors or staff.
- Overseeing and/or undertaking field work around Tasmania (including multi-day trips), applying advanced knowledge of rehabilitation/restoration works, weed survey, and weed control techniques, as well as maintaining knowledge of detection and identification methods for invasive and indigenous species.
- Data management, results analysis and report writing consistent with NBES systems, building upon existing experience in data collection and land management reporting, primarily within the field of invasive flora management and/or restoration/rehabilitation.
- Conducting and/or overseeing rehabilitation and restoration actions, weed surveys, and targeted weed management activities.
- Thorough adherence to allocated time for project-specific tasks (including the supervision of all project team members and contractors) and the consistent completion of tasks under budget and without error.
- Communicate effectively with project stakeholders (internal and external) and ensure contracts with government and industry are fulfilled.
- This is an excellent opportunity for a professional looking to continue their career with a local environmental leader. For someone with a passion for the role and a commitment to our team, we can provide pathways to develop a long-term career in a challenging and rewarding role.
About North Barker…
North Barker is a Hobart-based company providing specialist ecological consulting services within Tasmania and in Commonwealth offshore environments. We are a dedicated small team with 25 permanent or fixed-term staff and approximately 20 casual workers and associates contributing to our busy but rewarding workplace. With industry-leading knowledge of Tasmanian ecology and development approval processes, our skilled and experienced ecological professionals are highly respected by authorities for credibility and transparency, and valued by clients for responsiveness, reliability and value for money. North Barker commits to our process of quality, integrity and sustainability on every deliverable and every client interaction, big or small, ensuring that we consistently achieve the best outcomes for all parties, including nature.
Servicing both the public and private sectors, our projects inform a diverse range of developments, including urban and rural subdivision and development, infrastructure (wind, road, rail, water, electricity), tourism, forestry and agriculture. We also undertake bushfire hazard management planning, conservation-focused research, management and monitoring programs, and have a small team dedicated to weed management and monitoring.
What we offer…
- Opportunity to support the business on a wide variety of interesting projects across the state.
- The opportunity to become a key and valued part of a strong and successful company with long-term growth and promotion pathways available.
- Hard working, friendly and supportive team culture.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Option to join monthly team breakfast and Pilates, and multiple annual social events.
- Business-assisted support of volunteer conservation work linked to role and duties.
- Opportunities to attend conferences, seminars and workshops relevant to role and duties.
- Internal and external training courses, workshops and forums relevant to role and duties.
- A comfortable office space in a central location.
- A competitive and highly flexible remuneration package.
What we are looking for…
Essential criteria
- The successful applicant will have the following:
- Tertiary qualifications in Applied Ecology/ Environmental Science, or closely related discipline;
- Intermediate to advanced flora knowledge and identification skills relevant to Tasmania, particularly introduced flora but also including sound knowledge of State and nationally listed threatened species, and the TASVEG classification system;
- Advanced knowledge of survey and management methods used for targeting and controlling invasive flora species, as well as any applicable guidelines or requirements in relation to such methods; and/or advanced knowledge of methods for rehabilitation and restoration of native vegetation, as well as associated legislative pathways and programmes linked to nature positive outcomes;
- The ability to undertake field surveys (including at night) and land management activities in a proficient, efficient, and safe manner, including when working independently, as well as the capacity and willingness to work away from home on multi-day field trips within Tasmania or elsewhere;
- The capacity to use hand-held GPS units and tablets to collect data and track surveys;
- Strong analytical and writing skills, proven during the preparation of high-quality and scientifically robust reports, management plans and other client deliverables, within the fields of weed control, land services, and natural resources management (including rehabilitation and restoration);
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Tasmanian (State and local) and Commonwealth environmental legislation, and the capacity to correctly interpret and apply legislative requirements within projects, particularly in relation to biosecurity requirements and invasive species;
- Strong time management skills and experience working within a budget, and appreciation of the importance of these elements to project execution and business operations;
- Well-executed communication skills and a demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate with supervisors, other staff, contractors, regulators, and clients;
- A strong self-driven work ethic, a positive attitude towards a dynamic and complex workload, and the ability to work productively while balancing multiple priorities and directions;
- Proficiency with MS Office suite and Sharepoint systems;
- Authorisation to work in Australia; and
- Driver’s license for light vehicles in Tasmania and experience operating 4WD.
Desirable criteria
- The following will also be highly regarded:
- Honours or higher post graduate qualifications;
- Consulting experience in the private sector;
- Construction White Card; and
- ChemCert chemical accreditation.