Job and Person Specification
Position Details
Position Title:
Ecologist, Kangaroo Management
Remuneration Level:
PO3
Type of Appointment:
Temporary
Position No.: EH0061
Contract End Date: 30 June 2011
Hours per Week: 37.5
J&P Specification Created: 2005
Last Updated: 27/08/2009
Directorate: Conservation Policy and Programs
Branch: Nature Conservation
Specification Approval
…………………………………
Chief Executive or Delegate
Date: …/…/…
Position Incumbent’s Acknowledgment
I confirm that I am aware of the duties of the position as identified in this Job and Person
Specification.
……………………………………… ……………………………………
Incumbent Name
Incumbent Signature
Date: …/…/…
Job Specification
Position Context
The position is located in the Abundant Species and Sustainable Use unit of the Nature
Conservation branch of the Conservation Policy and Programs Directorate. Our team is facing the
following key challenges over the next 12 months:
 Commence the implementation of the No Species Loss, A Nature Conservation Strategy for
South Australia 2007-2017. Specifically, the Abundant Species and Sustainable Use Unit is
focussed on delivering the following Targets:
 Target 14 – Maintain a status of no decline in the conservation status of harvested terrestrial
species, or decline in the ecological communities that they come from, due to harvesting.
 Target 15 – Humane, socially acceptable and effective management of the unwanted
impacts of over-abundant or impact-causing native species, without compromising
conservation status.
 Target 18 – A ‘living with wildlife’ philosophy for native species that have adapted to or have
been advantaged by changed land use practices is promoted.
 Contribute to the development and implementation of NatureLinks principles within the five
identified biodiversity corridors.
The incumbent of this position reports to the Senior Ecologist, Abundant Species and Sustainable
Use.
The incumbent of this position maintains working relationships with:
 Executive Directors, Regional Conservators and other Unit Heads.
 Other staff within Abundant Species and Sustainable Use Unit.
 Conservation Program Managers, Regional Ecologists, and other relevant regional staff within
Regional Conservation Directorate.
 Stakeholders, wildlife carer groups, non-government conservation groups, wildlife and hunting
organisations, NRM Boards, the community and any relevant Aboriginal communities.
Position Summary
The high level objectives to be met by the incumbent of this position are:

To implement the on- and off-reserve components of the “The Macropod Conservation and
Management Plan for South Australia 2008-2012”
The incumbent of the position will meet these objectives by achieving the following key outcomes
and/or undertaking the following activities:

Initiating and developing policy for the management of kangaroo species in South Australia.

Establishing and managing relationships with relevant stakeholders and engaging them in the
policy development process.

Provide expert scientific advice on kangaroo monitoring, including survey design and
methodology and data analysis.

Setting annual quotas for the sustainable harvest of kangaroos.

Managing the legislative framework related to the commercial harvest kangaroos and
management of the associated industry.

Providing executive support for the Kangaroo Management Reference Group.

Providing expert scientific advice to field staff, the Department, other government agencies,
regional landholders, industry and the public on sustainable use of kangaroos and kangaroo
management issues.

Contributing expert scientific advice to the long-term planning and strategic direction for the
management of kangaroo species in South Australia.

Contributing to the occupational health, safety and welfare of the worksite by complying with
approved and established safe working procedures and OHS&W policies and legislation.

Assisting in maintaining the Department’s records by complying with relevant legislation,
government and departmental records management policies, and current administrative
practices.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
The following skills/abilities/knowledge/experience/qualifications are essential to meeting the
required performance standards of this position.
Professional and Technical Capabilities
 Experience in the development, interpretation and application of conservation policy and
management strategies within a legislative framework.
 Knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy frameworks for kangaroo
management in South Australia.
 Demonstrated experience in application of population ecology theory and practice to the
conservation and management of abundant native species.
 Experience in the development and implementation of conservation and management programs
within a sustainable-use framework.
Personal Capabilities
 Demonstrated high level professional ability to establish objectives, plan work, set priorities,
meet deadlines and targets and make decisions under limited professional supervision.
 Demonstrated high level professional ability to effectively communicate advice and information,
verbally and in writing, including preparing plans, reports and correspondence, and presenting
information to a broad range of stakeholders within and outside of Government.
 Experience developing constructive relationships and working collaboratively with a broad range
of stakeholders (including Government agencies, NGO’s, rural landholders and communities,
research organisations, conservation groups and the media) to meet and further work
objectives.
 Ability to be self reliant and accountable to work as a member of a team.
Leadership and Management Capabilities
 Proven ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate with others to effectively engender change
through policy frameworks.
Qualifications
 An appropriate degree in the field of Ecology, Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Natural
Resource Management, Environmental Studies or equivalent.
Desirable Capabilities
While not essential, it will be considered favourable if the incumbent has some or all of the
following skills/abilities/knowledge/experience/qualifications:


Experience working with, and comprehensive knowledge of, kangaroo management.
Empathy, and a general understanding of, the current conservation, social and community
issues affecting rural communities and landholders.
Special Conditions
The following special conditions apply to this position:



The position is based at 1 Richmond Road, Keswick.
Remote area and intra state travel will be undertaken with some out of hours work required;
Current driver’s licence and willingness to drive is essential.
Department for Environment and Heritage
Working Environment
Employees may be required to undertake intra or inter state travel.
Employees may be required to work outside of the normal hours of work.
Employees may be assigned to another position at the same remuneration level if required by the
Chief Executive.
Employees are required to maintain the ethical and behavioural standards outlined in the Code of
Conduct for South Australian Public Sector Employees.
Employees are required to actively participate in the Department’s Performance Management
program.
Employees are required to comply with, and contribute to meeting, workplace legislative and policy
requirements, including occupational health, safety and welfare and records management.
Our workplace is smoke free.
Our Department is committed to identifying and managing the impacts on the environment
associated with delivering its programs and requires all staff to be responsible for minimising
negative impacts on the environment in the course of performing their duties.