The Cool Sheep Careers
LANDCARE COORDINATOR
ALSO CALLED
- Community support officer
- Bushland regenerator
- Environmental field officer
WHAT’S THE JOB ABOUT?
- Designing and implementing projects to promote sustainability and address land degradation problems
Soil acidity, dryland and irrigation salinity, erosion, weed invasion, loss of native vegetation/wildlife habitat, vertebrate pests, water quality
- Organising restoration of native bushland, waterways and farmland
Removal of weeds and unwanted vegetation, collection and propagation of seed from local native plants, implementing erosion control measures, replanting native vegetation, pest control programs, construction and maintenance of tracks and facilities
- Applying for funding, record keeping and reporting
Development and submission of funding applications, collection of botanical and environmental data, development of vegetation maps, liaising with steering committee, landcare workers and volunteers, land owners, local councils and government departments
WORK CONDITIONS
- Landcare coordinators work in rural or regional and urban areas.
- Funding is provided from government trusts and conservation projects.
- There is usually a mix of office and field work.
- Work hours may be structured or flexible depending on the work involved.
- Landcare coordinators work as part of a team, monitoring the work of others.
- Planning on a daily and weekly basis can be affected by prevailing weather conditions.
- The job requires the practical application of scientific research to sustainable practices and land rehabilitation.
- Groups and individuals applying for landcare funds are usually required to make a 50 percent in-kind contribution to the project.
EXPERIENCE AND RELATED TRAINING
- An understanding of and empathy for issues relating to agriculture and the local area are necessary for the successful implementation of landcare projects.
- Skills such as project design, costing and administration, submission writing, computing, meeting organisation and small team management can be an advantage.
- Good communication skills including conflict resolution are essential for coordinators.
- Landcare workers can join projects as volunteers or find employment with conservation projects without formal qualifications.
- Employers / team leaders will provide on-the-job induction and training and may encourage you to do some vocational training.
- Gaining a formal qualification will help you to develop the knowledge and skills that you need to progress in conservation and land management.
- If you are already working at this level you can have your skills recognised by applying for a qualification with a training provider.
- Check whether there are training or licensing requirements in your state to do some tasks such as using chemicals or chainsaws, operating a front-end loader or driving a vehicle.
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Career path |
Training Requirements
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You carry out a range of tasks as part of a team to restore native bushland, waterways and farmland. |
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
- Certificate 2 in Conservation and Land Management
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You lead a work team and can be involved in community coordination and facilitation. |
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
- Certificate 3 in Conservation and Land Management
- Certificate 4 in Conservation and Land Management
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- Community Support Officer / Landcare Coordinator
You undertake the above tasks managing a number of projects. |
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
- Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
TERTIARY EDUCATION
- Degree in Environmental Science
(or equivalent) |
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