Project Officer – Living Landscapes

Your Opportunity

NQ Dry Tropics is seeking a motivated Project Officer with a strong interest in vegetation management to join our Living Landscapes program. 

The successful applicant will be passionate about vegetation management and revegetation, and looking  to build a long-term career delivering practical, on-ground outcomes. They will be motivated to work hands-on in the field across the full lifecycle of vegetation works, from weed control through to establishment and maintenance.

They will support the delivery of end-to-end vegetation management services, including weed control, revegetation, establishment and ongoing maintenance across the Burdekin Dry Tropics region. This role is suited to university graduates, early-career professionals, or practitioners looking to further develop their technical capability in applied vegetation management.

This role will work closely with experienced project managers, field staff and technical specialists to deliver practical outcomes. NQ Dry Tropics is committed to building long-term staff capability and supporting professional growth as the organisation continues to strengthen its culture and ways of working.

This is a permanent full-time position based in Townsville, supported by secure, multi-year funding through to 2030, providing strong role stability and opportunities for longer-term professional development.

The skills and attributes we are looking for include:

• a strong interest in end-to-end vegetation management, including weed control, revegetation and establishment works;
• a willingness to learn and develop practical skills across all stages of vegetation management;
• the ability to work safely and effectively in field-based environments;
• good communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with others;
• well developed organisational skills and attention to detail;
• a C-Class driver’s licence; and
• familiarity with common digital tools, with experience or exposure to ArcGIS Pro

Working for NQ Dry Tropics

We are an independent not-for-profit company supporting communities in the Burdekin Dry Tropics of North Queensland to sustainably manage land, water, soil, plants and animals. We are a trusted and respected leader in natural resource management (NRM), with strong relationships with community, corporate and government partners.

We are an equal opportunity employer offering professional development opportunities, flexible hours and a close-knit and friendly environment. You’ll be rewarded with an attractive annual base salary plus 15 per cent super and five weeks annual leave.

You will be supported to build knowledge and skills and provided with career development opportunities through an attractive Professional Development program.

Our Living Landscapes program delivers projects that improve biodiversity, habitat condition and ecological function across a range of landscapes, including urban, peri-urban, riparian, wetland and rural environments. These activities are supported by in-house expertise in biodiversity, revegetation, wetland and waterway management, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement.

Staff working within the Living Landscapes team have the opportunity to travel throughout the region from Townsville, working closely with landholders, community groups, Traditional Owners, local government and partner organisations to deliver practical, place-based outcomes. From time to time, the role may also provide opportunities for interstate and intrastate travel to support collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional development associated with broader NRM initiatives. Collaboration, adaptability and a strong field presence are central to how the team operates.

Selection Criteria

It is essential that applicants address each selection criterion individually, clearly demonstrating how they meet the required skills and qualities. Please provide specific examples from your working experience to support your responses. Shortlisting will be based on the extent to which candidates have effectively addressed the selection criteria. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Essential

1. Qualifications and Technical Expertise: Tertiary Qualifications in botany, ecology, natural resource management, conservation land management or demonstrated equivalent experience, with the ability to apply ecological knowledge to practical vegetation management.
2. Vegetation Management Experience: Demonstrated experience or strong interest in vegetation management activities such as weed control, revegetation, habitat restoration or other field-based ecological interventions.
3. Field and Operational Capability: Ability to work safely and effectively in outdoor and remote environments, including planning and delivering practical vegetation management tasks, collecting and managing ecological data and applying adaptive management principles.
4. Collaboration and Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and engage with colleagues, technical specialists, and contractors.
5. Technical and Organisational Skills: Well-developed organisational skills, practical problem solving ability, and proficiency in, or capacity to learn, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and ArcGIS Pro, with the flexibility to respond to emerging priorities and support organisational objectives.
6. Mobility: Current C class driver’s licence and the ability and willingness to travel within the region and work safely and effectively in outdoor and remote environments.

Desirable

1. Operate and Maintain a 4WD Vehicle – RIIVEH305F
2. First Aid Certificate – HLTDAID01
3. CPR Certificate – HLTDAID009

How to apply

To be considered for this position, your application must include:

• a cover letter introducing yourself and outlining why you are a suitable candidate for the role (we encourage you to show your personality);

•  a separate document addressing each of the selection criteria; and

•  a current resume

Applications should be submitted via email to careers@nqdrytropics.com.au or lodged online through Seek.

To view the full Position Description, please visit our careers page on our website: www.nqdrytropics.com.au/join-the-team

For further information about the position, please contact Scott Fry on 07 4799 3500 or via email at: careers@nqdrytropics.com.au.

Applications close at 5:00pm on Monday, 06 April 2026.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.