Nyaliga Rangers Coordinator

Nyaliga Rangers Coordinator

Looking for an exciting opportunity to work with Ngarinyin People and to help manage the spectacular natural and cultural values of Wilinggin Country in the remote central north Kimberley region of Western Australia?

• Unique opportunity to make a difference and be part of exciting developments
• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience
• Breathtaking travel opportunities on Wilinggin Country

ABOUT THE ROLE:
This is a practical, hands-on role, designed to improve future prospects of three Nyaliga men through strong guidance in the development and delivery of a work plan aligned with the Wilinggin Healthy Country Plan. The ideal candidate will be a senior and experienced Landcare manager with broad interests who will lead by example using both western and Indigenous ecological knowledge to help improve and inform management. The successful candidate will be an unshakable, resilient, self-starter who loves field work and can prosper equally in the office or technical realm to administer the program with limited day-to-day oversight.
  
ABOUT NYALIGA RANGERS:
The Nyaliga Rangers received funding from the WA Government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program and commenced operations in March 2020.  The Nyaliga Rangers are recruited from Nyaliga people from Wilinggin. The rangers work to keep their law and culture strong by working with both old and young men and women to look after their country. The Nyaliga rangers protect native flora and fauna, manage fire, control weeds and feral animals, manage visitors and support Traditional Owners to look after cultural sites and maintain traditional knowledge and practices.

The work plan is developed by Wilinggin staff (the Coordinator, rangers and Land Operations Manager) with guidance from the Wilinggin Healthy Country Committee and a subset of the Nyaliga Aboriginal Corporation membership, and is designed to progress Wilinggin’s Healthy Country Plan 2023-2032 targets.

A key goal is to create opportunities for Nyaliga people to work on-country; the team may spend as much as 12 weeks on country each dry season (April – October, variable). 

The program was established by request of Nyaliga Aboriginal Corporation and is of high importance to the Nyaliga community. The Wyndham-based Nyaliga Ranger team is one of three Indigenous ranger teams working on Wilinggin country.  The other teams are the Wunggurr Rangers (Derby-based) and the Darran.gu Wulagura (Strong Women) Rangers (Derby-based). It is intended that the three ranger groups support each other and there are frequent opportunities for collaboration. 

ABOUT THE CORPORATION AND NYALIGA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION:
Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) and Nyaliga Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) were established in 2006 and 2014, respectively, and are governed by a Board of Directors comprising Traditional Owner members of the corporation.  WAC represents the interests of the Traditional Owners of the Wanjina Wunggurr Wilinggin Native Title Area, including Nyaliga.  

WAC, the ranger program’s administering body, is a not-for-profit organisation that has, in the last five years, grown from three staff and a turnover of $500k to some 25 staff and a turnover of about $10m, based on a strong focus on high-integrity operations and alignment with our cultural and environmental obligations.

The objective of both NAC and WAC is that the Nyaliga Ranger Team be integrated into Wilinggin’s broader Healthy Country team working to implement Wilinggin’s Healthy Country Plan across the Indigenous Protected Area.  Wilinggin has an established Healthy Country Advisory Committee as a sub-committee of its Board of Directors, which governs Wilinggin’s Healthy Country program, including the development of annual work plans, making decisions about the expenditure of fee for service funds, supporting recruitment and performance management of rangers and providing cultural guidance to the ranger team. Nyaliga has also nominated four Program Advisors who will engage with the Nyaliga rangers for quarterly work planning or as required to provide advice on any emerging issues.  The Nyaliga Ranger team will report to and seek feedback from both Nyaliga and Wilinggin members at their respective AGMs. 

ABOUT INDIGENOUS LAND AND SEA CORPORATION (ILSC)
ILSC is the current leaseholder of Karunjie and Durack River Stations and is seeking to divest the leases to the Native Title Holders represented by Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (through the Wanjina Wunggurr Registered Native Title Body Corporate) in November 2024.  The Nyaliga Rangers complement the strategy for divestment. The ILSC has contributed significant funding to support divestment, including the establishment of infrastructure at Karunjie, which will be the operational base for the Nyaliga Rangers when working on country.

OTHER PARTNERS:
The Nyaliga rangers work with many other partners to deliver their work plan, including the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA); environmental NGOs, such as the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); and neighbouring stations, including Home Valley and El Questro station.

WAC has recently commenced a long-term partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), which is bringing additional resources and expertise to look after plants and animals and manage fire, weeds and feral animals on Wilinggin country by combining traditional knowledge and practices with modern science and technology.  Although Karunjie and Durack River Stations do not form part of this partnership, there may be opportunities for collaboration with AWC, particularly during works on Wood River Station.  

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
WAC is seeking a dynamic and resilient individual with proven skills and capacity in Aboriginal engagement, cultural and natural resource management, project management and administration. The ideal candidate will have well-developed expertise in on-ground conservation management and environmental monitoring, ideally with exposure to savanna ecology, combined with excellent communication skills.

The ideal candidate will also possess practical bush skills with the willingness to travel frequently and camp out on Wilinggin country in remote areas often accessible my small aircraft.

ROLE DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Design and implement on-ground monitoring and evaluation with clear repeatable steps in support of the Wilinggin Healthy Country Plan and fire programs.
• Supervise and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Nyaliga Rangers to ensure delivery of the annual work plan.
• Work with both the Nyaliga and Wilinggin Aboriginal corporations to manage a high-quality ranger team and support development of the ranger base at Karunjie and Durack River Stations.
• Work closely with the Nyaliga Rangers, Wilinggin Land Operations Manager, Nyaliga and Wilinggin Healthy Country Advisory Committees to develop, monitor, and report on Ranger activities.
• Ensure effective day-to-day administrative management of the ranger program, including approval of timesheets, casual ranger and Traditional Owner payments, purchasing, scheduled vehicle and equipment maintenance and stock taking of equipment and supplies.
• Plan, supervise and participate in field activities to remote locations associated with completing the work plan and fee for service opportunities, including extended periods in the field;
• Work with and mentor the rangers to develop their personal and project skills, leadership abilities and work ethic. This will include mentoring rangers in specialist roles and developing their capacity and confidence to move into more senior roles, including Head Ranger and Ranger Coordinator in the future.
• Support on-the-job training, identify training needs and liaise with the KLC Training Coordinator to engage with training providers so that there is appropriate professional learning outcomes for the rangers;
• Proactively support the participation of Nyaliga women in the Ranger Program, including through engagement as casual rangers and cultural advisers, as well as actively support women in the full-time ranger positions and explore flexible working arrangements that facilitate their engagement.
• Work with project partners, including the AWC, ILSC, KLC, WWF and DBCA, in the areas of fire, weed, feral and biodiversity management and ensure appropriate governance, ownership and participation by Traditional Owners in these activities.
• Deliver on fee-for-service opportunities and other projects, such as tourism development, that support the development and sustainability of the ranger group and Traditional Owner aspirations outlined in the Wilinggin Healthy Country Plan;
• Assist researchers to engage in approved on-country research with Rangers and other Traditional Owners, and direct research requests through appropriate channels;
• Ensure high level responsibility taken by rangers for the care, maintenance and safekeeping of equipment and resources used and be ultimately responsible for the group’s assets.
• Ensure compliance with cultural protocols and WAC policy and procedures at all times, including the promotion of safe working practices and instruction of rangers in occupational health and safety;
• Participate and assist in WAC and KLC events as required, including WAC AGMs and Kimberley Ranger Network regional forums.
• Other duties as directed by the WAC General Manager and Wilinggin Healthy Country Manager.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Please note that it is essential your application addresses each of the selection criteria by providing information about your qualifications, experience and skills as they relate to each one.

Essential:

1. Qualifications or equivalent experience in Landcare, including fire management, weed control, feral animal management, biodiversity monitoring, or similar.
2. At least three years’ experience managing small teams or coordinating natural and cultural resource management projects with Indigenous organisations.
3. Understanding of Aboriginal social and cultural challenges in Northern Australia, with a commitment to community empowerment, training, and development.
4. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in remote areas, staying focused, positive, and organised in challenging environments.
5. Strong communication, negotiation, and community consultation skills, including the ability to work with advisory groups and as part of a team.
6. Experience in project administration and financial management, including grant writing, reporting, and acquittals.

Desirable:

1. 4WD training and experience
2. Experience managing and supporting indigenous rangers
3. Knowledge of aboriginal land rights, native title determination and Indigenous Protected Areas
4. Geographic Information System capability

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send your application addressing the selection criteria and your resume providing contact details for three referees to Human Resources by email to wilingginhr@wcasolutions.com or call (08) 9383 3293 to discuss your application.

Please direct any job specific questions to Victoria, Land Operations Manager by email to lom@wilinggin.com.au or call (+61) 439 481 372.