We work on invasive species issues across Australia. If you have a passion for protecting our native plants and animals get in touch.
About Us | Jobs
We have recently received a capacity building grant and we are expanding our operations. This is a unique opportunity to work for the Invasive Species Council to help tackle one of nature’s biggest threats.
Australia’s ancient cultural heritage and unique wildlife are at risk from the growing threat of invasive species. Feral animals, weeds and other invasives are destroying natural systems, sacred sites and driving the extinction of Indigenous totem species.
Through this role, the Invasive Species Council will put Indigenous knowledge, culture and storytelling at the forefront of invasive species policy making. This unique role suits a passionate and driven advocate. We seek to cut through cultural, bureaucratic, and regulatory barriers that disempower traditional grassroots conservation voices.
You will lead this work by connecting and empowering Indigenous leaders and communities, telling important stories, and assisting the advocacy of our Indigenous Ambassador, Richard Swain. Together, you will implement a compelling campaign to convince politicians and the public to act on invasive species by elevating the voice of Indigenous Australians who are leading our nation’s conservation future.
Position: Indigenous Engagement Officer
Reports to: Advocacy Manager – Northern. This role also receives guidance from and supports the Invasive Species Council Indigenous Ambassador
Basis: Part time – 4 days per week
Location: Work from home. Travel will be required so must have reasonable access to undertake nationwide travel
Duration: 12 months, with extension possible depending on performance and funding
Salary range: $80,000 – $95,000 per annum pro rata plus super, depending on skills and experience. Salary packaging, paid study or field work leave, plus extra Christmas/New Year leave are part of the package.
The Indigenous Engagement Officer will work with the Invasive Species Council Indigenous Ambassador to empower Indigenous Australians as leaders in responding to the invasive species threat to culture. Invasive species in Australia threaten culturally significant plants, animals and landscapes. This person will build a strong network of indigenous advocates for action on invasive species and cut through barriers that disempower communities responding to this threat.
The role will coordinate the delivery of the Voice of Country campaign and identify further opportunities to grow the Invasive Species Council’s engagement and empowerment of Indigenous leaders and communities.
Responsibilities
Build a strong network of Indigenous advocates for action on invasive species in Australia
Engage with Indigenous Australians to research and document culturally significant species at risk and under threat from invasive species in Australia.
Lead the planning and delivery of advocacy campaigns, including Voice of Country.
Drive the recruitment, support and development of Invasive Species Council Indigenous Ambassadors.
Coordinate and conduct meetings with allied groups, decision-makers and key stakeholders.
Develop and distribute materials to promote the program of indigenous conservation leadership through a range of campaign tactics including traditional and social media, events and forums.
Maintain our organisation’s emphasis on working in collaboration with First Australians and using credible science-based information.
Collaborate with colleagues to assist with fundraising efforts.
Promote the work, positions and strategic directions of the Invasive Species Council.
Prepare progress and performance reports under guidance from our Advocacy Manager – Northern and Indigenous Ambassador.
Work independently with initiative, motivation and minimal supervision.
Proactively contribute to a positive and values driven culture within the team and organisation.
Essential
Experience in engaging and building relationships with Indigenous organisations.
Strong demonstrated experience using a range of techniques to research and record complex or culturally sensitive information.
Demonstrated experience in a campaigning, advocacy, or organising role including managing stakeholders.
Experience in delivering complex information persuasively, clearly and concisely face to face, via phone or video call, presenting to large groups and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, with motivation, self-direction and minimal supervision.
Current driver’s license and capacity to travel for work.
Desirable
Understanding of political processes and experience in campaigning to achieve change.
Experience in engaging with traditional and social media and basic design and layout.
Experience fundraising in an advocacy or campaigning role.
Understanding of invasive species issues and/or environmental science.
Experience working with Indigenous organisations. Location: Work from home
Please send to recruitment@invasives.org.au:
Applications that do not directly address each criterion will not be accepted.
ISC is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.
It is a requirement of working with the Invasive Species Council that you provide evidence that you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
Applications close: 11:59 pm Sunday 13 April 2025.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Fo more information refer to the Position Description
Please contact Reece Pianta, Advocacy Manager – North, for specific questions about the role: reecep@invasives.org.au
If you are in the Townsville area, please get in touch with our Townsville Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce here to help tackle one of the world’s worst invasive species.
ISC is seeking an administrative volunteer to join the Operations Team in Katoomba. We’re in need of someone computer-confident and with an eye for detail. Primarily support will assist with donations and database management. However there likely be other ad hoc administrative tasks requested. The role is expected to be casual in nature, so hours may vary week by week depending on need, staff and volunteer availability.
Closing Date: Please apply as soon as possible.
Position: Katoomba Administrative Volunteer
Reports to: Admin Officer
Basis: Variable: approx 4-10 hours per week
Location: Katoomba
Duration: 3 months, with the potential for extension
Remuneration: None. This is an unpaid volunteer role.
If you are in the Townsville area, please get in touch with our Townsville Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce here to help tackle one of the world’s worst invasive species.
The Invasive Species Council was formed in 2002 to seek stronger laws, policies and programs to protect nature from harmful pests, weeds and diseases.
The Invasive Species Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Australia and their connections to land and sea. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Dear Project Team,
[YOUR PERSONALISED MESSAGE WILL APPEAR HERE.]
I support the amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan to allow our incredible National Parks staff to use aerial shooting as one method to rapidly reduce feral horse numbers. I want to see feral horse numbers urgently reduced in order to save the national park and our native wildlife that live there.
The current approach is not solving the problem. Feral horse numbers have rapidly increased in Kosciuszko National Park to around 18,000, a 30% jump in just the past 2 years. With the population so high, thousands of feral horses need to be removed annually to reduce numbers and stop our National Park becoming a horse paddock. Aerial shooting, undertaken humanely and safely by professionals using standard protocols, is the only way this can happen.
The government’s own management plan for feral horses states that ‘if undertaken in accordance with best practice, aerial shooting can have the lowest negative animal welfare impacts of all lethal control methods’.
This humane and effective practice is already used across Australia to manage hundreds of thousands of feral animals like horses, deer, pigs, and goats.
Trapping and rehoming of feral horses has been used in Kosciuszko National Park for well over a decade but has consistently failed to reduce the population, has delayed meaningful action and is expensive. There are too many feral horses in the Alps and not enough demand for rehoming for it to be relied upon for the reduction of the population.
Fertility control as a management tool is only effective for a small, geographically isolated, and accessible population of feral horses where the management outcome sought is to maintain the population at its current size. It is not a viable option to reduce the large and growing feral horse population in the vast and rugged terrain of Kosciuszko National Park.
Feral horses are trashing and trampling our sensitive alpine ecosystems and streams, causing the decline and extinction of native animals. The federal government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has stated that feral horses ‘may be the crucial factor that causes final extinction’ for 12 alpine species.
I recognise the sad reality that urgent and humane measures are necessary to urgently remove the horses or they will destroy the Snowies and the native wildlife that call the mountains home. I support a healthy national park where native species like the Corroboree Frog and Mountain Pygmy Possum can thrive.
Dear Project Team,
[YOUR PERSONALISED MESSAGE WILL APPEAR HERE.]
I support the amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan to allow our incredible National Parks staff to use aerial shooting as one method to rapidly reduce feral horse numbers. I want to see feral horse numbers urgently reduced in order to save the national park and our native wildlife that live there.
The current approach is not solving the problem. Feral horse numbers have rapidly increased in Kosciuszko National Park to around 18,000, a 30% jump in just the past 2 years. With the population so high, thousands of feral horses need to be removed annually to reduce numbers and stop our National Park becoming a horse paddock. Aerial shooting, undertaken humanely and safely by professionals using standard protocols, is the only way this can happen.
The government’s own management plan for feral horses states that ‘if undertaken in accordance with best practice, aerial shooting can have the lowest negative animal welfare impacts of all lethal control methods’.
This humane and effective practice is already used across Australia to manage hundreds of thousands of feral animals like horses, deer, pigs, and goats.
Trapping and rehoming of feral horses has been used in Kosciuszko National Park for well over a decade but has consistently failed to reduce the population, has delayed meaningful action and is expensive. There are too many feral horses in the Alps and not enough demand for rehoming for it to be relied upon for the reduction of the population.
Fertility control as a management tool is only effective for a small, geographically isolated, and accessible population of feral horses where the management outcome sought is to maintain the population at its current size. It is not a viable option to reduce the large and growing feral horse population in the vast and rugged terrain of Kosciuszko National Park.
Feral horses are trashing and trampling our sensitive alpine ecosystems and streams, causing the decline and extinction of native animals. The federal government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has stated that feral horses ‘may be the crucial factor that causes final extinction’ for 12 alpine species.
I recognise the sad reality that urgent and humane measures are necessary to urgently remove the horses or they will destroy the Snowies and the native wildlife that call the mountains home. I support a healthy national park where native species like the Corroboree Frog and Mountain Pygmy Possum can thrive.
