Program Officer – Mackay

• This is a 2 day per week role, based in Mackay, QLD. Participants must be Mackay based.
• Ideal start date is the week commencing 6 May 2024, with interviews taking place 23/24/26 of April.
• Applications will be screened upon receipt and interviews offered accordingly.
• Cover letters which address the key selection criteria are welcomed.

About us

Earthwatch Institute is a leading global environmental not for profit organisation, committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of life on Earth to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Founded in 1971, and with five offices around the globe, we aim to empower people to save the natural world. We do this by engaging the community directly in environmental and sustainability experiences through Work (corporate programs), Life (student and teacher programs) and Play (public expeditions). This hands-on experience bridges the gap between science and the community, creating an informed society that can translate scientific knowledge into sustainable action.

Earthwatch Institute is the largest citizen science business in Australia. We focus our research on the most critical issues facing our planet (climate change, ocean health, restoring our iconic landscapes and protecting our unique wildlife), and have supported thousands of research expeditions across the globe.

• We are a small, yet powerful organisation united in the following values:
• Responsibility: The wellbeing of our staff, researchers, volunteers and the environments in which we work is at the core of our operations
• Integrity: We act, at all times, in good faith and with exemplary honesty and transparency
• Professionalism: All of our actions demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and service
• Inspiration: We are inspired by our work, and we seek to inspire others with experiences and knowledge that enable them to take action
• Inclusion: We are greater than the sum of our parts; we collaborate with others and bring together diverse backgrounds with dignity, respect and fairness

About you

Wetlands, coastal and marine environments are your thing? You love community engagement?

We want to hear from you!

You’re proactive and ambitious with a can-do attitude. You consider organisation, communication and relationship-building to be key strengths. You’re passionate about citizen science, coastal and marine environments; and enjoy working with school groups, volunteers and Traditional Owners.

With relevant experience in marine science, ecology or environmental management; and skills in community engagement and event planning, you’re able to assist in the delivery of a citizen science program in the Mackay region. You can communicate confidently about environmental issues such as climate change impacts and threats to Great Barrier Reef environments and can effectively translate scientific information for a public audience.

You enjoy working outdoors, including on boats, and are comfortable working in coastal environments such as mangroves and saltmarsh. Your enthusiastic and outgoing nature means you are confident in initiating and maintaining relationships with citizen scientists, event participants, researchers, corporate partners, traditional owners and local community members.

Working in a small team environment, you successfully work autonomously and are keen to be supported within a culture that promotes collaboration and outside the box thinking.

The Role

We’re looking for a passionate and motivated individual to support the establishment and delivery of a MangroveWatch citizen science program in the Mackay region. This role focuses on community engagement, reporting to the Earthwatch Senior Program Manager of Wetlands Coastal and Marine Environments, and will be part of the Earthwatch Australia Team. The role will be based at the Pioneer Catchment Landcare office in Mackay, therefore the incumbent will work in close collaboration with Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Staff.

Day-to-day activities include; developing a citizen science network of enthusiastic mangrove and saltmarsh champions, facilitating citizen science training and data collection days, event planning, liaising with First Nations custodians and local stakeholders, assisting school-based citizen science data collection, assisting with collation, reporting, communicating citizen science results and empowering community-led mangrove and saltmarsh conservation and management initiatives.

Earthwatch Australia promotes a healthy work-life balance and supports flexible, hybrid work from home-office arrangements, with the general expectation of attendance at the Pioneer Catchment Landcare office in Mackay 1-2 days per week. Field work associated with this position will require some out of hours and weekend work.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Program Delivery

• With the support and assistance of line-manager, deliver high-quality program objectives, reporting and contractual milestones related to the establishment and delivery of a coastal wetland citizen science program in the Mackay region.
• Recruit, train and retain school groups, citizen science volunteers and Traditional Owners.
• Undertake Field logistics, materials preparation and equipment maintenance for citizen science training and data collection events
• Support citizen data collection, including provision of technical support related to data management, data handling, data upload and equipment.
• Undertake data collation, processing and basic data analysis
• Deliver local training days, workshops and events, including the preparation of communication materials.
• Assist with data communication, reporting, and citizen scientist data feedback.
• Empower local community-led environmental initiatives related to coastal wetlands.

Stakeholder Relations

• Work in collaboration with Pioneer Catchment Landcare staff to assist delivery of program objectives and milestones.
• Maintain strong connections & rapport with citizen science data collection partners to ensure timely and quality data provision
• Engage with external end-user data stakeholders to communicate citizen science data outputs and facilitate participation in events and workshops.
• Attend relevant local events and meetings with external stakeholders.

Program Marketing & Communications

• Compile data metrics and ensure timely provision of impact data such as event attendance for organisational reporting and communication.
• Collaborate internally with the Programs and Operations Team to ensure citizen science data outputs, program activities and outcomes are effectively communicated on the Earthwatch Australia webpage and via social media, newsletters and media releases.

Risk and Incident Duties

• Work within OHS policies and frameworks for a safe working environment

Other Duties

• Undertake upskilling & professional development as agreed/required to fulfil your role effectively
• Assist in the continual improvement of EW processes and procedures
• Fulfil other tasks as mutually agreed

The Essentials

Requirements:

• Be an Australian citizen or hold a valid work visa for full time work in Australia
• Hold a valid Australian driving license
• Hold a recreational marine driver license or willingness to obtain
• Current Blue Card, or willingness to obtain
• Up to date Qualification/Certification in First Aid or willingness to obtain

Skills & Competencies:

• Sound knowledge and/or experience in marine science or related field (i.e., ecology, geography or environmental management); ideally in mangrove, saltmarsh and coastal wetland habitats
• Sound knowledge of the principals of citizen science and behaviour change
• Strong organisational skills, with experience in field logistics, event planning and volunteer management
• Ability to network and inspire others including the ability to connect with and instruct diverse teams of people, including Indigenous partners and groups
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft 365 apps, including Excel and Sharepoint
• Technical proficiency with camera, video, GPS and/or drone operation
• Scientific data analysis, report writing and science communications experience
• Ability to undertake domestic regional and interstate travel, and to work outside of normal working hours as required

Key selection criteria

• Sound understanding of marine science or related field (i.e., ecology, geography or environmental management), citizen science and/or behaviour change
• Strong organisational skills, with experience in field logistics, volunteer management and event planning.
• Confidence in effective communication, including networking, building relationships and motivating a diverse range of people
• Experience in group facilitation
• A collaborative team member, who easily builds rapport and can contribute to a positive work culture
• High level of technological proficiency

What we offer

• MODE OF EMPLOYMENT: Part time 0.4FTE, 18 month fixed-term contract (May 2024-October 2025)
• Salary: Tier 1 $65,000 per annum ($26,000 pro-rata) plus superannuation in line with the rates set by the Australian Government Superannuation Guarantee. 8 days annual leave.

STAFF BENEFITS:

• Remote & flexible work arrangements
• Supportive small team environment
• Office space in Mackay hosted by Pioneer Catchment Landcare
• Employee Assistance Program
• Salary Packaging option
• Professional Development with upskilling support

This is a new role in a small, but growing organisation, so it should be noted that this outline cannot be representative of the full tasks list to be undertaken by the successful applicant. It is recognised that the duties of all roles can be subject to change from time to time. Alterations to duties and responsibilities within the scope of the role should be expected and as the company grows, reporting lines may evolve.

A position description is attached.