Conservation Officer Level 2 Career Profile

What the role involves

Conservation officers promote and enforce natural resource and environmental protection through education, public involvement, field monitoring and practical conservation work. A Level 2 role may involve greater responsibility for planning, coordination, reporting and supervising field activities.

The work can include habitat monitoring, compliance support, community engagement, rehabilitation projects, biodiversity programs, stakeholder liaison and assisting with the delivery of conservation strategies. Some roles are highly field-based, while others combine field work, office work, reporting and program coordination.

Typical employers

Level 2 conservation officer roles in Australia may be found with:

• state and territory environment agencies
• national parks and wildlife services
• local councils and natural areas teams
• environmental NGOs and conservation organisations
• private land-management consultancies
• catchment, NRM and regional landcare organisations
• biodiversity, threatened species and habitat restoration programs
• coastal, river, wetland or bushland management projects
• Indigenous ranger or land and sea management programs

Key tasks

• conducting habitat, vegetation, fauna or biodiversity monitoring
• supporting the enforcement of conservation legislation and site rules
• designing or leading community awareness and education activities
• coordinating stakeholder engagement with landholders, councils, community groups or agencies
• preparing reports, field notes, monitoring records and project updates
• assisting with rehabilitation, revegetation, pest control or habitat restoration projects
• supporting threatened species, fire, weed, feral animal or protected area programs
• supervising junior field staff, volunteers or contractors where required
• working safely in remote, coastal, bushland or park environments

Skills and qualities

Level 2 conservation roles suit people who already have some conservation, ecology, land management or field experience and are ready for more responsibility. Useful qualities include:

• strong field work ability and comfort working outdoors
• understanding of ecology, biodiversity and natural resource management
• good communication and public engagement skills
• regulatory awareness and ability to follow environmental procedures
• program coordination and time-management skills
• clear report writing and accurate data recording
• ability to work with landholders, community groups and government stakeholders
• confidence supervising field activities, volunteers or junior staff
• willingness to travel or work in regional, remote or challenging environments

Qualifications and pathways

Your source document lists Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management, Diploma in Conservation and Land Management and Advanced Diploma in Conservation and Land Management as relevant pathways. For many Level 2 roles, employers may also prefer a Bachelor degree in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology or natural resource management.

• Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management
• Diploma in Conservation and Land Management
• Advanced Diploma in Conservation and Land Management
• Bachelor of Environmental Science, Ecology or Natural Resource Management
• flora and fauna survey, GIS, 4WD, first aid or remote-area training
• experience in conservation volunteering, parks, bush regeneration, landcare or field monitoring

With experience, a Level 2 conservation officer may progress into senior conservation officer, ranger team leader, project coordinator, biodiversity officer, natural resource officer, conservation program manager or policy adviser roles.

Salary and job outlook

Conservation officer salaries can vary depending on seniority, employer, location, qualifications, field experience, regulatory responsibility and whether the role is based in government, consulting, national parks, NGOs or land management programs. Salary information changes over time, so it is best to check current Australian salary, occupation and labour-market resources before applying or negotiating pay.

Where jobs are usually found in Australia

Level 2 conservation officer jobs may be found in national parks, reserves, coastal and river systems, bushland areas, regional environment offices, remote conservation stations and land management programs. Roles may involve field trips, regional travel, community engagement or work with government agencies, Traditional Owners, landholders and conservation partners.

Tips for getting started

• volunteer with conservation organisations, landcare groups, parks programs or citizen science projects
• build fieldwork experience in flora and fauna surveys, weed control, habitat monitoring or restoration
• develop strong report-writing and data-recording skills
• gain experience engaging with landholders, community groups and government stakeholders
• consider a relevant degree if you want to move into higher-level conservation, policy or project roles
• obtain useful field tickets such as first aid, 4WD, chainsaw, chemical handling or remote-area training where relevant
• be ready for regional, remote, coastal or reserve-based work depending on the employer

Related environmental careers

• Conservation Officer
• Biodiversity Officer
• Ranger
• Natural Resource Officer
• Bush Regenerator
• Landcare Worker
• Environmental Scientist
• Environmental Policy Officer