Assistant Project Officer Ecologist

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Hawkesbury; On-site; AUD 102,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service is seeking an Assistant Project Officer (Ecologist) to support the 550-hectare feral predator-free area ecology program at Yiraaldiya National Park in western Sydney.

You will contribute to planning, monitoring and reporting, assisting with fieldwork, data collection and stakeholder engagement to help deliver threatened mammal reintroductions and ecological health assessments. This role suits ecologists with field monitoring and translocation experience.

Qualifications

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications and/or relevant experience in ecology, science or similar.
• Current Australian driver's licence.
• Willingness and ability to travel and undertake ecological fieldwork, including day and night work in all weather and potentially remote environments as required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to project planning and delivery.
• Ecological monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities.
• Assist with fieldwork, monitoring, data collection and stakeholder engagement to achieve project objectives.

Skills

Ecology

Fieldwork

Data collection

Education

Tertiary qualifications in ecology or related sciences

Job description

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Full-time ongoing role(early December 2026 start date preferred)
• Located in Scheyville (western Sydney)
• Salary relative to experience, $102K pa to $113K pa + employer's contribution to superannuation

About the role

The NPWS Biodiversity and Ecological Health Branch is seeking an Assistant Project Officer (Ecologist) to join the feral predator-free area ecology team. This role supports one of NSW's most significant threatened fauna restoration programs which will deliver measurable conservation benefit for over 50 threatened species, and focuses on reintroducing native mammal species listed as locally extinct or extinct in NSW, restoring ecosystem function and measuring ecological health.

You will contribute to project planning and delivery, ecological monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities that support native mammal reintroductions to the 550-hectare feral predator-free area at Yiraaldiya National Park in western Sydney.

This opportunity is well suited to ecologists with experience in ecological monitoring and reporting, threat management, and/or translocations and reintroduction ecology.

About You

Your passion for the environment and experience in ecological health monitoring and/or translocations will be key to your success in this role.

You will support the delivery of project activities by assisting with fieldwork, monitoring, data collection, reporting and stakeholder engagement to help achieve project objectives within established plans, budgets and timeframes.

You will have sound problem-solving skills, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Your fitness, adaptability and enthusiasm will enable you to contribute to a diverse range of field and office-based activities in this rewarding and dynamic role.

Essential requirements

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications and/or relevant experience in ecology, science or similar
• Current Australian driver's licence
• Willingness and ability (including a sound level of physical fitness) to travel and undertake ecological fieldwork, including day and night work in all weather and potentially remote environments as required.

For more information read the full Role Description.

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

What we can offer you

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is a great place to expand your career and grow your skills and knowledge.

• Accrued days off in addition to Annual Leave
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
• Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training.

What we do

About NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Visit a park

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing [e-mail] or contacting Jodi Arthur on 02 6360 9015 (please mention reference number 552971).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at [e-mail] for a yarn.

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Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

To be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.

Applications close Wednesday 23 September 2026 at 11:55pm.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Ella Saberton, Senior Ecologist - Threatened Species, Biodiversity and Ecological Health Branch, NPWS via [e-mail] or via 02 9995 5237.