Regional Conservation Officer

Current Jobs; Bourke, Cobar; Hybrid; AUD 112,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) invites applications for a Regional Conservation Officer to join the Central West/Western Team. The role delivers biodiversity conservation initiatives, guides landholders and stakeholders, and coordinates projects in a hybrid office/home arrangement with offices in Cobar or Bourke.

Key duties include establishing conservation agreements, project delivery within scope and budget, providing ecological advice, and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental, biodiversity conservation, or natural resource management.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in natural resource management or biodiversity.
• Ability to deliver projects and work with landholders and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with landholders and stakeholders to establish and manage conservation agreements.
• Support the delivery and coordination of projects and programs within scope, timeframes, and budget.
• Provide technical and ecological advice to support biodiversity outcomes.
• Conduct site assessments, including fieldwork and spatial/GIS mapping.
• Build and maintain relationships with landholders, stakeholders and partners.
• Support compliance, monitoring, and agreement management activities.

Skills

Environmental conservation

Biodiversity

Natural resource management

Education

Tertiary qualification in natural resource management or biodiversity

Tools

GIS

Job description

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

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Regional Conservation Officer (Environment Officer Class 7)
• Ongoing full-time opportunity
• Office location: Cobar or Bourke - Hybrid (office/home) working supported
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $112,375 to $124,158 plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), as part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), has an exciting opportunity for a Regional Conservation Officer to join our Central West/Western Team.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply, consideration will be given to all suitable applicants (GSE Rule 26).

About the role

In this role you will work as part of a regional team to deliver biodiversity conservation initiatives, providing expert guidance to landholders and stakeholders. You will coordinate and deliver projects, build strong partnerships, and contribute to meaningful biodiversity outcomes across NSW.

The position focuses on supporting the BCT’s priorities which includes both private land conservation and managing agreements to offset development impacts. This role combines project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and technical advisory work, giving you the opportunity to make a tangible impact on conservation and land management practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with landholders and stakeholders to establish and manage conservation agreements
• Support the delivery and coordination of projects and programs within scope, timeframes, and budget
• Provide technical and ecological advice to support biodiversity outcomes
• Conduct site assessments, including fieldwork and spatial/GIS mapping
• Build and maintain strong relationships with landholders, stakeholders and partners
• Support compliance, monitoring, and agreement management activities
• Contribute to education, communication, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

About You

We are seeking a motivated professional who is passionate about environmental conservation and delivering outcomes in partnership with landholders.

You will bring:

• Experience in environmental, biodiversity conservation, or natural resource management.
• Sound organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to deliver work on time and manage competing demands.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including landholders and community groups.
• Experience providing technical advice or support, ideally in ecological or land management contexts.
• The ability to work both independently in the field and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary geographically dispersed team.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to articulate recommendations and ideas clearly and prepare well-structured written materials.
• Sound problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow organisational processes and procedures.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and undertaking basic GIS processing.
• Basic botanical skills with knowledge of vegetation identification and survey methodology, preferably within the Western region.

Essential Requirements:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or experience in natural resource management or biodiversity
• A current driver’s licence and willingness to travel.

The role involves field work, including conducting ecological assessments, and may require travel and work in remote areas.

For more information read the full Role Description: Regional Conservation Officer

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.

The New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is a not-for-profit statutory body, established under Part 10 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and managed by a Board appointed by the Minister for the Environment.

The Trust’s roles are to support and encourage landholders to enter into agreements to conserve and protect biodiversity on private land, guided by the government’s Biodiversity Conservation Investment Strategy; secure biodiversity offsets when developers choose to pay into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund; and other activities that promote greater awareness of, appreciation and understanding of, biodiversity and the importance of conserving it.

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

Participation in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS) and the BCT’s private land conservation (PLC) programs

The successful applicant for this role will be required to declare any conflict of interests related to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, as defined in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Conflict of Interests Protocol. This ensures the department is made aware of potential conflicts of interest so they can be appropriately managed.

Where an applicant has a high-risk “defined interest” in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, they may be required to divest this interest before being employed by the department.

If you think you might have a conflict of interest related to the scheme, or you are unsure, please discuss this with the hiring manager.

The Department is committed to protecting the public interest and public trust in the exercise of its functions. These values, together with transparency and accountability, are integral to the administration of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. For more information, please contact the hiring manager.

The BCT also has restrictions on staff participation in its funded PLC programs. No additional funding, beyond that already agreed to by the BCT, may be sought or approved during time as a BCT employee or for a 12-month period following termination of employment.

If you (or a close family member) participate in the BOS scheme or already hold a funded agreement with the BCT and require further information before submitting your application, please contact the hiring