Ecology Intern (Ecological Monitoring and Analysis)

Bush Heritage (Parent); Adelaide; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Seeding the Future professional dev

LinkedIn networking opportunities

Headspace app & Employee Assistance

One-on-one career guidance with mentor

Job summary

Bush Heritage Australia seeks an Ecology Intern to support ecological monitoring and analysis in South Australia. The role blends field work with data analysis to inform conservation management and landscape-scale impact.

The intern will process wildlife imagery, manage datasets, and contribute to rabbit ecology studies, with hands-on field work at Bon Bon Reserve and mentorship through the Seeding the Future program.

Qualifications

• Completed university qualification or a TAFE certificate III or higher in ecology or related discipline.
• Strong data management and interpretation skills.
• Experience with data analysis software (R, Python, ArcGIS) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process, validate and analyze wildlife camera imagery from monitoring programs.
• Support analysis of rabbit monitoring data for connectivity studies.
• Participate in fauna monitoring activities and field ecology tasks at reserves.
• Contribute to conservation planning and scientific communication.

Skills

data management

analysis

interpretation

organisational skills

communication skills

time management

team collaboration

Education

university qualification in ecology

TAFE Certificate III or higher in ecology

Tools

R

Python

ArcGIS

Job description

Ecology Intern (Ecological Monitoring and Analysis)

Job No:BHA43

Employment Status:Internship (3 month full time equivalent)

No. of Vacancies:1

Closing Date: 27 Sep 2026 ACST

Bush Heritage Australia's Seeding the Future team is recruiting to fill a fantastic opportunity to work with our South Australia Team as an Intern.

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a very real contribution to the protection of Australia’s unique wildlife and their habitat.

• Fantastic opportunity to work within a leading conservation organisation.
• Annual base salary of $61,042 inclusive of superannuation. Pro rata salary for the contract is $15,260.50 inclusive of superannuation.
• 3-month Full-time or 0.6 FTE Part-time (over 22 weeks) contract commencing November 2026
• On-going invitations to Seeding the Future professional development.
• Network building opportunities and continuing connections via LinkedIn.
• Access to the Headspace app and Employee Assistance Program.
• One-on-one career guidance with a Seeding the Future mentor.

About us

For over 30 years we’ve supported and protected some of the most fragile ecosystems across the continent and seen the impact of our science-based approach. We keep our eyes on the horizon and focus firmly on long-term, landscape scale impact. As a national, not-for-profit, we want to continue to expand the areas we protect and deepen the impact we have. We work in partnership with Traditional Owners, listening to and learning from the customs and cultures that came before us.

Together we can heal and protect the bush, now and into the future.

About the role

Bush Heritage’s 2030 Strategy is to improve biodiversity protection, function and connectivity across landscapes.

This internship supports a range of ecological monitoring and research projects that inform evidence-based conservation management at Bush Heritage. The role combines ecological data analysis with hands‑on field experience, providing opportunities to develop skills across both office and field‑based conservation activities.

A major focus of the internship is processing, validating, and analysing wildlife camera imagery collected through monitoring programs. The intern will assist with image classification review, quality assurance, dataset management, and interpretation of results to support conservation decision‑making. They will also contribute to the analysis of rabbit monitoring data from a research project examining the connectivity of rabbit and wombat burrow entrances within shared warrens, helping to improve understanding of rabbit ecology and inform future management strategies.

In addition, the intern will participate in fauna monitoring activities, including pitfall trapping at Bon Bon Reserve from the 5th - 11th of November. Working alongside Bush Heritage ecologists and reserve staff, the intern will gain practical skills in ecological data management, wildlife monitoring, scientific communication, field ecology, and conservation planning.

Please note that Bush Heritage will NOT provide Adelaide accommodation for home office-based work but will do so for field-based work on reserves.

• A completed university qualification or TAFE Certificate III or higher in ecology, conservation, zoology, or a related discipline.
• Strong skills in data management, analysis, and interpretation.
• Experience using data analysis software such as R, Python, ArcGIS, or similar programs.
• Well-developed organisational, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• A willingness to learn, develop new skills, and contribute to conservation outcomes.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people.
• A commitment to nature conservation and alignment with the objectives and values of Bush Heritage Australia.

Bush Heritage Australia does not discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital or parental status. Should you require a reasonable adjustment to be made for your application we would be more than happy to discuss how this could be arranged.

Evidence shows that applicants from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't feel they meet all the requirements of the job – unlike candidates from majority backgrounds who might fulfil less requirements.

We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested: we strive to build more diverse teams with your unique experience!

Applications close: Sunday 27 September 2026 at 11:59 pm ACST.