Senior Ranger (Marine)

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Shire Of Esperance; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation, full employercon-

Flexible working arrangements

Annual National Park Entry Pass

Well-established learning and develop-

Job summary

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in Esperance is seeking a Senior Ranger (Marine) to lead a dedicated marine team in implementing the joint management plan across the Recherche Archipelago. The role covers overseeing vessel operations, patrols and community education, delivering park programs and enforcing compliance.

The successful candidate will manage staff development, liaise with Traditional Owners and stakeholders, and ensure safe, sustainable management of marine

Qualifications

• Experience leading and coordinating marine teams to deliver planned works.
• Knowledge of operational plans for marine, island and coastal management.
• Ability to supervise ranger teams and develop staff.

Responsibilities

• Deliver annual marine and coastal works programs for Wudjari, Western Bight and Mirning Parks.
• Supervise marine ranger team and oversee vessel operations.
• Conduct compliance patrols and maintain departmental vessels and equipment.
• Assist with community education and interpretive programs.

Skills

Leadership

Vessel operation

Maritime patrols

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Coxswain Grade 1 NC

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 ESPERANCE

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT

MIDDAY ON MONDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2026

The DBCA Esperance District covers more than 1,000 km of breathtaking coastline, stretching from Starvation Bay to Eucla on the edge of the iconic Nullarbor Plain, at the WA/SA border. The district includes three of the four new South Coast Marine Parks, spanning almost two million hectares of Sea Country and supporting an extraordinary marine ecosystem of kelp forests, reefs, ruby seadragons, southern right whales, seals, sea lions and significant fisheries.

We are currently seeking a Senior Ranger (Marine) to join our newly established marine team and lead a small team Marine Rangers in implementing the Wudjari Marine Park Joint Management Plan, in joint management with the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC), across the marine park area incorporating the 105 islands of the Recherche Archipelago.

Under the direction of the Marine Park Coordinator, this position leads marine and coastal conservation programmed operational activities in the Esperance District, including:

• The delivery of the annual marine and coastal works program consistent with the Marine Park Management Plans mainly for the Wudjari Marine Park, as well as for Western Bight Marine Park and Mirning Marine Park when required.
• Supervision and career development of the marine ranger team.
• Undertaking compliance patrols and maintaining and skippering departmental vessels and equipment.
• Assisting with developing and delivering community education and an interpretive works program.

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 be Leading Others to help drive positive change.

Selection Criteria

Applicants should address the following four (4) criteria. These should be addressed in no more than four (4) pages in total.

• Evidence of well-developed oral and interpersonal skills and experience in developing and maintaining positive relationships with Traditional Owners, commercial operators, licensees, key stakeholders, community groups and the general public, and have the ability to be involved in patrol and enforcement activities.
• Experience in leading, supervising and managing teams, empowering individuals to work with confidence both in teams and independently to deliver agreed outcomes and priorities.
• Experience and knowledge of implementing operational plans and works programs associated with marine, island and coastal management.
• Knowledge of and experience in the maintenance and operation of vessels requiring a Coxswain Grade 1 (NC) as a minimum certificate of competency, with a preference for a Master

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.

Benefits Of Working With Us

In addition to the attractive salary and opportunities to contribute to biodiversity and environmental conservation initiatives, the department offers incentives including:

• 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.
• Ranger leave entitlements.
• 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.

For further job-related information: contact Jodie Savage on 0439 109 946 or for further information about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, visit https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/.

Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will need to possess or obtain:

• A current Working with Children Check.
• A current (issue date not older than 6 months) and satisfactory National Police Check.
• A current Western Australian "C" class drivers licence.

For the full role description, detailed responsibilities and a full list of selection criteria, please refer to the Job Description link below. The documents linked to this advertisement are available in alternative formats upon request.

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.

A search for additional applicants may be conducted for this position where necessary to provide a more diverse and/or competitive field.

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.