Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 834979
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Role:

Are you committed to making a meaningful contribution to addressing the global biodiversity crisis? This senior role offers the opportunity to support the delivery of high quality extinction risk assessments and conservation outcomes for South Australia’s unique biodiversity.

In this role, you will work closely with skilled technical experts, providing the guidance, coordination and oversight needed to ensure assessments are robust, consistent and grounded in the best available evidence. You’ll help prioritise work, troubleshoot complex assessment challenges, and support staff to deliver accurate listing assessments and effective recovery advice.

The position plays a vital leadership role for the team of specialists undertaking assessments, building alignment, encouraging collaboration and ensuring assessment processes run smoothly and efficiently.

You will also contribute ecological expertise to the development of threatened species listings, recovery strategies and high quality briefings, helping shape state and national conservation decisions and local programs. Your work will directly influence how South Australia protects species at risk and responds to the growing challenges of biodiversity loss.

This is a valuable opportunity to combine ecological knowledge, analytical capability and supportive leadership to make a tangible, meaningful contribution to protecting South Australia’s biodiversity.

What can we offer you!

• Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia!
• Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance.
• Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
• Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: 
Two Year Contract

Essential Criteria (including qualifications):

• A Degree in the field of ecology, biodiversity conservation, biological sciences, natural resource management (or equivalent).
• Ability to collate and interrogate environmental data from a range of sources and apply scientific rigour in the interpretation and evaluation of data.
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member under broad direction; plan and undertake multiple tasks and projects; meet required deadlines; and exercise sound judgement.
• Extensive contemporary knowledge of flora and fauna ecology, conservation biology, ecosystem processes, threatening processes and threat abatement programs; and experience in developing recovery strategies for threatened species and/or ecological communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience tailoring communications to different target audiences, including technical reports, briefings and public communication materials.
• Experience in developing and maintaining networks across various sectors to source knowledge and expertise and develop sound conservation strategies.
• Proven track record in effectively supervising a team, and the ability to foster a collaborative environment to achieve organisational goals.

Special Conditions:

• May be required to participate in responses to state emergencies or associated duties.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
• Prior to being employed, the successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police Check.
• A current class “C” driver’s licence and willingness and ability to safely operate a 4wd is essential.
• May be required to undertake intra or interstate travel, occasional overnight absences, and work outside of the normal hours of work.

Remuneration: 
PO3, $101,285 min - $107,078 max p.a. 

Enquiries to:
Jason Higham, Manager, Conservation and Threatened Species
jason.higham@sa.gov.au
0409 098 535 

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages) addressing the Essential Criteria (including qualifications) as outlined in the Role Description.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 01/03/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- RD PO3 Senior Ecologist Extinction Risk Assessment Team Leader - Dec 2025 (002).pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.