Employment opportunity - RLF

POSITION DESCRIPTION

REGIONAL LANDCARE FACILITATOR
    
Employer: Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc.
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
Salary/Conditions: 37.5 hours per week  @ $68,000 - $73,000 per-annum, includes Super (determined by qualifications and experience).  One year contract until 30 June 2014 with prospects for renewal for a further 4-year period subject to funding and performance.

The Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) Initiative is an Australian Government Caring for our Country (CFOC) program designed to support land managers, community Landcare networks and groups and farming systems and grower groups to enhance their knowledge and capacity for natural resource management (NRM), deliver ecosystem services and use sustainable agricultural practices. For the Murrumbidgee catchment, the RLF funds are provided through Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority, the regional body, to Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. the host organisation. Murrumbidgee CMA will be subsumed into Riverina Local Land Services from 1 January 2014.

The Regional Landcare Facilitator will:

• Promote the Landcare ethic and sustainable agriculture to farmers, land managers and communities in the Murrumbidgee catchment;
• Assist Landcare and community groups in the Murrumbidgee catchment; seek members, partners, funds and resources for NRM activities; and build their capacity, knowledge and skills;
• Support and facilitate the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of a community engagement plan in the Murrumbidgee catchment;
• Provide feedback to the Australian Government on emerging issues in the region, relevant to sustainable agricultural practices and the needs of Landcare, other community NRM groups and farmer networks; and
• Participate in the Regional Landcare Facilitator network in NSW, including attending training and professional events.

Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. (MLi) is a not-for-profit, community organisation that has been representing community Landcare in the Murrumbidgee catchment for over 17 years.  MLi  works to support community Landcare Networks; promote community Landcare and broker strategic alliances to develop projects to improve community knowledge and adoption of sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.

SELECTION CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with community groups and partners to promote, develop and support the uptake of new knowledge and practices.
• A demonstrated understanding of community education and engagement strategies, especially participatory bottom-up methodologies, to influence community attitudes and encourage participative action.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work cooperatively with diverse stakeholder groups (primary producers, landholders, community groups, schools), and with staff of partner organisations (e.g., Murrumbidgee CMA/LLS, NSW DPI, Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia).
• An appreciation of issues facing land managers in primary production, and environmental challenges to landscapes (natural resources, climate change, biodiversity, resilient ecosystems).
• Ability to work independently and take the initiative whilst also being able to work as a member of a team (with Landcare staff, volunteers and partners).
• Demonstrated high level written and oral communication, facilitation, interpersonal, negotiation and computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to promote opportunities for groups and networks to access public and private funds to address NRM and sustainable agriculture practices that provide both private and public benefits.
• Demonstrated ability in project management, including: work plan development & prioritisation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting against work plan and project outcomes.
• Willingness and ability to participate in State and National meetings and events as required.
• Current drivers licence and flexibility to travel regularly within the region, including evening meetings.

Desirable

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent professional experience in NRM, Agriculture or Environmental Science.
• Experience working with landholders, Landcare and community groups to promote, develop and support NRM and sustainable ag practices.
• Knowledge of extension theory and practice to engage land holders and producers in regional and rural communities.
• Knowledge of the agencies and organisations in the region with catchment and land management interests.

Closing date: 8th July 2013

To apply, please forward a copy of your resume and a letter addressing all criteria to:

Post: Ted Wolfe, Chair, Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc
P.O.Box 710, Wagga Wagga
NSW, 2650.
Email: office@murrumbidgeelandcare.asn.au

For more information, contact:

Ted Wolfe
twolfe@csu.edu.au
02 6922 4347, mob. 0401 753 786

Marion Benjamin, mob.0431 935 774 email: office@murrumbidgeelandcare.asn.au