WAGIN WOODANILLING LANDCARE ZONE - NRM OFFICER 2015 POSITION DESCRIPTION 1. About the Position Position Title Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone (WWLZ) - NRM Officer Location The successful candidate will be based at the Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone’s office at 62 Tudhoe Street, Wagin, however is expected to attend the Shire of Woodanilling office on an as required basis. Length of Contract This is a fixed term contract position with an expiry date of 30 June 2017. Further employment is subject to funding and performance reviews carried out during the period of the contract. Salary Range Salary, including a cash component within the range of $45,016 to $60,982 will be negotiated with the successful candidate, depending on their skills and experience. Salary is fixed for the term of the contract, and is based on the Local Government Officers (Western Australia) Interim Award (The Award) – Level 4 – Level 8. Conditions Flexible working hours will be negotiated with the successful candidate, however it is expected that a spread of 30 – 38 hours per week is required to complete the role. Work outside normal office hours may be required from time to time, and time off in lieu applies in accordance with the relevant policy. Annual and personal leave will be in accordance with The Award, currently 4 weeks annual leave, with leave loading, and 10 days personal leave. The position is administered through the Shire of Woodanilling, with Local Government industrial relations support. Vehicle The WWLZ has a 4WD dual-cab utility for use by the successful candidate, and the level of private use of this vehicle will be negotiated with the successful candidate. A mobile phone and laptop is also provided. Housing The WWLZ does not provide housing with this position, however will assist in every way possible to ensure the successful candidate secures suitable accommodation during the period of the contract. 1 WAGIN / WOODANILLING LANDCARE ZONE Background The position of WWLZ NRM Officer is unique to Landcare and is funded jointly between the Shire of Wagin, Shire of Woodanilling, and external funding sourced from time to time. The position requires an NRM Officer with the primary focus being to support the local community to ensure the current round of projects are completed, acquitted and targets met. Objectives The NRM Officer has the role of developing and supporting natural resource management in the Shires of Wagin and Woodanilling. The objectives of the NRM Officer position are to: • ensure all WWLZ activities are carried out with full accountability and integrity. This includes taking overall responsibility for project development, implementation and reporting. • maintain strong communication and build networks with locals townspeople, landholders, local government, schools, and regional stakeholders to promote the objectives of the Zone. • implement the Zone Action Plan and incorporate local community priorities into the direction of Zone activities as per set Key Performance Indicators • ensure the two shires have equitable access to funding for land and water management activities and that community members have maximum opportunity to participate in all Zone activities. • provide an environment in which the vision and goals of the community can be achieved. • actively source external funding that supports the viability of the WWLZ into the future. Organisational Relationships a) Reporting / Working Relationships The successful candidate will be self-managed on a day-to-day basis, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of all aspects of the WWLZ. The NRM Officer is responsible to the WWLZ Management Committee. The Management Committee is comprised of representatives of the Shires of Wagin and Woodanilling and Zone community members. The Management Committee is responsible for the performance of employees and providing management support and meets quarterly to manage HR issues. Special meetings may be called to deal with issues as they arise. The Wagin/Woodanilling Landcare Zone Committee meets at least quarterly to provide community input into planning and takes responsibility for the direction of the Zone and the activities that occur within its jurisdiction. The NRM Officer plays a pivotal role in updating and advising Zone Committee members of current opportunities and issues, as well as ensuring the actions decided by the Committee are carried out. The Wagin and Woodanilling LCDC’s are local Landcare community groups, and meet on an as-needs-basis to provide necessary support for ongoing Landcare activity. The WWLZ NRM Officer may be required to provide assistance to these groups from time to time. b) Liaison Internal • Zone Committee • Contractors 2 WAGIN / WOODANILLING LANDCARE ZONE • Management Committee • Shires of Wagin & Woodanilling • Land Conservation District Committees External • general public • South West Catchments Council • Other Landcare Zones • Government departments • other funding bodies & Landcare related organisations 2. Key Duties and Responsibilities The following duties will be required to be undertaken by the NRM Officer: • Ensure the Chairman of the Zone, Zone Committee, and Management Committee are well-informed of issues and opportunities relevant to the Zone, and ensure that activities set by the Zone Committee and Management Committee are carried out. • Take responsibility for the overall administrative and financial aspects of the Zone and communicate any issues with the Zone Chairman. • Liaise directly with South West Catchments Council on behalf of the Zone and ensure that priorities are communicated. • Manage information databases (including but not limited to - projects, local contacts, professional networks & water quality) • Ensure Zone activities are communicated to the general public through local and regional media and that community participation is encouraged. • Develop funding projects within the objectives of the Zone Action Plan including preparation and submission of grant applications. • Coordinate field days, workshops, presentations and public displays for education and promotional purposes. • Identify, assess and report opportunities for Landcare within the Zone to the Zone Committee. • Attend meetings, conferences, professional development courses and other seminars relevant to Landcare as approved by the Management Committee. • Provide verbal and written reports to the Management Committee and Council as required to include Key performance indicator reporting based on position description classifications. • Perform other duties as directed by the Management Committee. 3. Requirements Desirable a) Experience or Training • The candidate should hold tertiary qualifications in the field of natural resource management, or agriculture, or environmental science, or a related field or can demonstrate to the WWLZ Management Committee that they have strong organisational and communication skills along with an ability to work on their own. • The candidate must hold a current motorcar (C) class drivers licence b) Skills and Attributes The successful candidate should have as many of the following skills and attributes as possible: 3 WAGIN / WOODANILLING LANDCARE ZONE • enthusiasm, self motivation and initiative • developed decision making and problem solving skills • developed time management and organisational skills, including an ability to work unsupervised • financial and administrative skills • project management experience • developed oral and written communications skills • developed community liaison, media and interpersonal skills • working knowledge and affinity with computers and software • able to work independently c) Knowledge The successful candidate should ideally have the following knowledge: • an understanding of rural communities and the issues they face • understanding of dry land farm practices and related natural resource management d) Other The following criteria will be highly regarded: • an understanding of salinity and other land degradation issues in the Wheatbelt of W.A. • knowledge of Geographic Information computer Systems • knowledge of legislation pertaining to land conservation/land management 4. Current Projects/Tasks of the WWLZ CURRENT: FRRR - Bat Night Stalk SWCC - Community Capacity Building Activities – AusChem Re-accreditation Course SWCC - Inland Linkages 2015 – Workshop SWCC - 2015 Seedling Order Funding Support SWCC - Sustainable farming in the South West Round 1 SWCC - Sustainable farming in the South West Round 2 SWCC - Sustainable farming in the South West Round 2 COMING UP: State NRM Office - Wagin Woodanilling Landcare State NRM Office - Kill the Bride (Bridal Creeper eradication program) – Woody Shire National Landcare Program - 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants 14-15 National Landcare Program - 20 Million Trees PENDING: DOW - Woody Shire SWCC - Regional Support for WWLZ 4 WAGIN / WOODANILLING LANDCARE ZONE 5. Enquiries Contact For further information please contact the Chairman of the WWLZ Management Committee, Mr Trevor Young, on 0417 950 512, or email [email protected] 5 .