Senior Regional Conservation Officer

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Ongoing full-time opportunity
• Office location: Coffs Harbour, Ballina or Port Macquarie (pending availability). Hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $124,322 to $138,494 plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), as part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Regional Conservation Officer to join our North Coast team. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply, consideration will be given to all suitable applicants (GSE Rule 26).

In this role, you will work as part of a regional team to deliver biodiversity conservation initiatives, providing expert guidance to landholders and stakeholders. You will participate in the coordination and delivery of projects, build strong partnerships, and contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes across NSW.

This role combines project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and technical advisory work, giving you the opportunity to make a tangible impact on conservation and land management practices.

Key Responsibilities

• engage with private landholders that have entered, or are seeking to enter, into a conservation agreement on private land
• act as the primary contact for assigned landholders and provide landholder support including site visits, technical advice about biodiversity management and BCT programs, agreement monitoring and auditing, and facilitating access to funding
• annually review a range of conservation agreements (including Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements, Offset Conservation Agreements and other Conservation Agreements that receive annual payments) and support landholders to deliver their agreement obligations
• conduct field and desktop assessments of land and biodiversity assets; use spatial tools and software to enter spatial information and produce maps for inclusion in agreements; contribute technical and/or ecological knowledge to assist landholders develop and/or deliver management plans for conservation agreements
• conduct ecological monitoring (primarily vegetation assessment)
• collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver BCT programs, delivery mechanisms, projects and partnerships
• support a range of other work including: BCT program delivery, stakeholder engagement, education, communication, conservation assessment and agreement management
• deliver and coordinate North Coast programs/projects.

We are seeking a motivated and experienced professional who is passionate about environmental conservation and delivering outcomes in partnership with private landholders.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in environmental, biodiversity or natural resource management
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to deliver work on time and manage competing priorities
• Ability to implement internal procedures and deliver agreement assurance processes such as annual report reviews
• Proven ability to engage, influence and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including landholders and community groups
• Experience providing technical advice or support, ideally in ecological or land management contexts
• The ability to work both independently in the field and collaboratively within a team environment
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly and prepare high-quality written materials
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong problem-solving and organisational skills
• Experience working with GIS and undertaking basic GIS processing
• Basic botanical skills with knowledge of vegetation identification and survey methodology, preferably within the North Coast region

The role involves field work including conducting field-based ecological assessments and may include working in remote areas.

Essential Requirements:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or experience in natural resource management or biodiversity
• A current driver’s licence and willingness to travel.

For more information read the full Role Description Senior Regional Conservation Officer

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

The New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is a not-for-profit statutory body, established under Part 10 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and managed by a Board appointed by the Minister for the Environment.

The Trust’s roles are to support and encourage landholders to enter into agreements to conserve and protect biodiversity on private land, guided by the government’s Biodiversity Conservation Investment Strategy; secure biodiversity offsets when developers choose to pay into the Biodiversity Conservation Fund; and other activities that promote greater awareness of, appreciation and understanding of, biodiversity and the importance of conserving it.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

The successful applicant for this role will be required to declare any conflict of interests related to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, as defined in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Conflict of Interests Protocol. This ensures the department is made aware of potential conflicts of interest so they can be appropriately managed.

Where an applicant has a high-risk “defined interest” in the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme, they may be required to divest this interest before being employed by the department.

The Department is committed to protecting the public interest and public trust in the exercise of its functions. These values, together with transparency and accountability, are integral to the administration of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. For more information, please contact the hiring manager.

The BCT also has restrictions on staff participation in its funded PLC programs. No additional funding, beyond that already agreed to by the BCT, may be sought or approved during time as a BCT employee or for a 12-month period following termination of employment.

If you (or a close family member) participate in the BOS scheme or already hold a funded agreement with the BCT and require further information before submitting your application, please contact the hiring manager.

The BCT is a great place to expand your career and grow your skills and knowledge. Here are some of our benefits:

• A great, friendly culture that cares about each other and the environment we work to protect
• Accrued days off in addition to Annual Leave
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
• A range of learning and development opportunities
• Hybrid, flexible work arrangements

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Andy Westcott via andrew.westcott@bct.nsw.gov.au  or on 0439 758 091.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Lila Snow on 02 9995 5095 (please mention reference number 550840).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at AEX@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for a yarn. 

Find the BCT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Advertised: 23 Jun 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 07 Jul 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time

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