Natural Area Restoration
Overview
The Natural Area and Restoration industry represents a large number of people and organisations engaged in the restoration and management of natural areas including bush land, forest, arid lands, coastal, wetland and aquatic sites. The key focus in natural area restoration and management is on increasing the physical stability, biodiversity and ecological integrity of an area.
Areas of work include: conservation of natural areas, restoration of degraded environments, managing introduced pests and diseases, supporting community education and interpretation, assisting with policy and planning development, responding to emergencies, management of properties and structures.
| Level | Job Role | Recommended Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Field Operator | Certificate II in Conservation & Land Management |
| Level 3 | Field Officer | Certificate III in Conservation & Land Management |
| Level 4 | Field Supervisor | Certificate IV in Conservation & Land Management |
| Level 5 | Manager | Diploma of Conservation & Land Management |
Level 2 - Field Operator
The work undertaken by a level 2 field operator is partly supervised and may require some or all of the following tasks to be performed:
- Carrying restoration works such as planting trees and shrubs, direct seeding and weed control.
- Undertaking maintenance and construction work such as fencing, paths, walking tracks, boardwalks and simple retaining walls.
- Operating a range of machinery and equipment which could include tractors, 4x4 vehicles, vehicles and chainsaws.
- Working with plants and animals such as observing and report on wildlife, trapping and releasing animals, and undertaking revegetation works.
- Safely using chemicals to treat weeds and pests is often required at this level.
- Assisting with plant collecting, plant propagation, plant and animal surveys.
Level 3 - Field Officer
A field officer is a skilled worker who can work effectively on their own or as part of a team and may be required to undertake some or all of the following tasks:
- Implement natural area restoration works according to plans on degraded sites across land and aquatic environments.
- Coordinating revegetation programs including those involving community or school groups.
- Collect and prepare biological samples for testing and analysis.
- Coordinate seed collecting and plant propagation programs.
- Assist with scientific research and wildlife surveys. This may include scuba diving in marine and freshwater environments.
- Oversee construction and maintenance work on tracks, pathways, boardwalks and fences.
- Liaise with community groups and government agencies and provide information about work being undertaken.
Level 4 - Field Supervisor
A field supervisor will usually be responsible for a team of workers and may be required to undertake some or all of the following tasks:
- Planning, scheduling, costing and organising work activities to be undertaken in natural area restoration and management.
- Daily supervision of staff and their work activities with responsibility for their safety and work performance. This will also include on-job training of staff.
- Monitoring of plants and animals and reporting threats and problems to agency or group managers.
- Operating within project budgets and government legislation and policies.
- Liaising with and providing information to the media, community and special interest groups.
- Recognising and protecting places of natural and cultural significance.
Level 5 - Manager
A manager will usually be responsible for operational management of a project or site and its staff and may be required to undertake some or all of the following tasks:
- Overall management responsibility for projects and programs such as restoration of bushland, reduction of wildfire hazards and controlling weed, pest and disease infestations.
- Managing business operations and human resources for the group or agency.
- Conserving natural and cultural resources through implementing management plans and strategies.
- Conducting field research into fauna and flora populations and management.
- Preparing and submitting reports, estimates and proposals for projects.
- Preparing and monitoring budgets and financial reports.