Conservation Employee

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Southern Cross; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts on fitness facilities

Flexible working arrangements

12% superannuation with salary packing

Cultural leave for Indigenous staff

Access to study and parental leave

Employee assistance program (EAP)

National Park Entry Pass

Free staff parking

Job summary

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in Albany is seeking a Conservation Employee to support the South Coast Region’s biodiversity and park management. You will help with asset maintenance, flora and fauna protection, and visitor services in a role that ties together conservation work and community engagement.

Under direct supervision, you’ll perform prescribed burning, bushfire protection, machinery operation and related tasks while upholding safety standards and the

Qualifications

• Ability to participate in manual activities related to maintenance and construction of departmental assets.
• Commitment to safety procedures and wearing prescribed PPE.
• Literacy and numeracy skills including map reading and applying guidelines and policies.
• Ability to liaise, communicate effectively and work in a team with limited supervision.
• Physically fit for on‑the‑ground fire work and able to pass the fire fitness test; available for fire management operations.
• Willingness to work away from home in remote locations, including weekends if required.
• Understanding of equity and diversity principles and practices.
• Current C Class Driver’s Licence.
• Desirable MR/HR Licence.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to maintenance and construction of departmental assets and flora/fauna protection.
• Support fire suppression, prescribed burning and fire management activities.
• Assist in infrastructure construction and maintenance and operation of related machinery.
• Support tourism and recreational activities in park areas.
• Comply with WHS policies and procedures and safety equipment requirements.

Skills

Manual work

Safety compliance

Literacy & numeracy

Communication & teamwork

Fire fitness

Willingness to travel

Equity & diversity awareness

C Class Driver’s Licence

MR Licence desirable

Tools

C Class Driver’s Licence

Job description

Join us in our mission to promote biodiversity, conserve our valuable ecosystems, and provide engaging attractions that connect people with nature.

THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN ALBANY

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT

MIDDAY ON WEDNESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2026

The South Coast Region extends 1,200 km from Denmark to the South Australian border and includes 14 national parks and 150 nature reserves covering 2.5 million hectares plus 7 million hectares of unallocated Crown land (UCL). National parks include Torndirrup, Porongurup, Stirling Range, Fitzgerald River, West Cape Howe, Gull Rock, Waychinicup, Stokes, Cape Le Grand, and Cape Arid.

The South Coast Region’s key service deliverables include nature conservation, parks and visitor services and fire management.

We currently have an opportunity for a Conservation Employee to join our team.

Operating under direct supervision, this position participates in a range of activities relating to conservation, parks and wildlife work within the department including prescribed burning, bushfire suppression and control, flora and fauna protection, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, support of tourism and recreational activities and the operation of associated machinery.

At the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the mindsets and expected behaviours required of all our employees and the public sector. In this role, you will demonstrate Personal Leadership to help drive positive change.

Selection Criteria

• Ability to participate in manual activities related to the maintenance and construction of departmental assets, flora and fauna protection and fire suppression and control with a preference for someone who has an interest or experience in recreation and conservation management.
• Commitment to adhering to work health and safety procedures and principles; be willing to wear prescribed safety equipment and work safely with certified chemicals.
• Demonstrated literacy and numeracy skills including the ability to read and understand maps, and apply relevant guidelines, procedures, sections of Acts, policies and procedures in the work environment.
• Ability to liaise and interact in a positive manner, good communication and interpersonal skills and able to work effectively in a team and with limited supervision when required.
• Physically fit for “on the ground” operational fire work and be able to pass the departmental fire fitness test and be available for fire service consistent with the AWU (WA Public Sector) Agreement 2024 and any prevailing industrial agreements; plus ongoing willingness and ability to participate in fire management activities that contribute to bushfire suppression and prescribed burning operations commensurate with capability, capacity, training and level of experience.
• Willingness and ability to work away from home, often for extended periods and in remote locations and be available for occasional weekend and irregular hours of work.
• Understanding of equity and diversity principles and practices.
• Current ‘C’ Class Driver’s Licence.
• Current ‘MR’ or ‘HR’ Class Driver’s Licence. (Desirable)

• Experience in machine operations and or safe operation of chainsaws, brush cutters and common power tools. (Desirable)

• Fire-fighting experience and certification. (Desirable)

• Possess other skills or qualifications related to the position e.g. 1080 baiting certificate, firearms, animal trapping, accredited faller, first aid certificate, and common trade skills. (Desirable)

About Us

DBCA, one of Western Australia's largest state government agencies, providing exciting and challenging career opportunities in biodiversity conservation and park and natural resource management. We employ people with world-class scientific, policy, land and marine management, visitor services, research and educational skills.

For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at DBCA is an attractive proposition, please visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/.

Benefits Of Working With Us

• Staff discounts at gyms, pools and fitness centres (where available) through the Fitness Passport program.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Access to study, bereavement, foster caring and parental leave.
• A confidential employee assistant program (EAP) for you and your family, including psychology and counselling services.
• An annual National Park Entry Pass.
• Well‑established learning and development programs.
• Free staff parking.

For further job-related information

contact Steve Toole on [phone] or for further information about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/.

We have a detailed Job Application Kit to provide information about us, the value of the department and practical guidance on the process for you. Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.

Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will need to possess or obtain:
A current Western Australian "C" class drivers licence.

Eligibility

It is essential to have Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency status. Only applicants who meet this eligibility requirement will be considered for this position.

Agency Referrals

Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at [e-mail] during the advertising period.

Substantive Equality Statement

DBCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Indigenous Australians, young people, people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and women to apply for positions within our agency. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace. The Department also promotes flexible working arrangements.

Applicants with a disability who require adjustments in the recruitment process, including an alternative to applying online, can contact the Senior Recruitment Officer on [phone] or [e-mail]. Do not send job applications to this email; they will not be accepted.

If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Similar appointments may be made from this process in locations throughout Western Australia within a 12-month period to positions that may be permanent or contract, including contract appointments with the possibility of subsequent permanency.