Work Type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Emerald
Department:  Communities
Remuneration: Stream A, Level 3 - 4: $75,333.96 - $86,576.99 per annum + superannuation

Do you have a background in Local Laws, Compliance or Enforcement?  Or are you looking for a challenging yet rewarding career change?

Central Highlands Regional Council is looking for Rural Ranger's. In this role you will be responsible for monitoring and assisting council rangers in the operations of CHRC Animal Management Facilities, whilst ensuring compliance and advice on a wide range of legislation and Council’s Local Laws policies. Implementation of Councils Pest Management & Stock Route Network Management Plan. Matters related to stock routes within the council region in accordance with the Stock Route Management Act 2002, undertaking pest plant and animal control measures in accordance with relevant legislative requirements whilst ensuring compliance and enforcement with other relevant legislation and council’s local laws and policies. This includes review and implementation of reports and plans directly related to all aspect of rural land roles.

At times, the role may be requested to provide support to the Ranger Services team and Rural Land Management officers as organisational needs may require.

In this diverse role, your daily activities will include:

• As part of the Ranger & Rural service teams, assist the Coordinator Ranger Services with the successful delivery of the full range of CHRC responsibilities in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures (including complying with council’s customer service charter), while maintaining a strong customer focus.
• Advise & respond to telephone, counter and written enquiries on Local Law matters and other technical enquiries.
• Undertake compliance on approvals and carry out necessary actions and provide assistance to applicants to achieve compliance.
• Understand, interpret, administer and comply with relevant legislation and council policies applicable to the functions within a local government Ranger Services and Rural Land Management teams(plant & animal pest and stock route management).
• Working collaboratively across the organisation, sharing knowledge and experiences. Identification of potential opportunities for innovation and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of council’s operations.
• Produce high standard reports, correspondence and advice to internal and external clients relevant to disciplines within the unit. 
• Where opportunities arise prepare applications related to available grant funding for pest management and other related funding opportunities.
• Responsible for the monitoring of all stock route related matters in the region in accordance with legislative requirements. 
• Monitor and assist with the miners’ common in accordance with the Fossicking Regulation 2009 related to cattle agistment. 
• Assist with all aspects of pest plant and animal management within region related to the role, establish, and maintain pest mapping tool.
•  Pound duties including maintenance, care and disposal of animals.
• When required liaise with Infrastructure and Utilities, Parks and Gardens teams in relation to weed spraying to ensure collaboration.
•  Undertake tasks including animal handling, patrolling, abandoned vehicles, overgrown allotments and any other tasks related to the implementation of the Council’s Local Laws.
• This pest management may include assisting Rural Land officers in the management of Road Maintenance & Performance Contract (RMPC) funded spraying throughout the region.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions.
• Actioning electronic customer request and recording outcomes in a timely manner.
• Ensuring all records are saved in council’s electronic records management systems to assist with responding to and resolving customer concerns, and for evidentiary purposes.
• Taking reasonable care for health and safety of yourself and others, complying with reasonable instruction and co-operating with CHRC policy and procedure per ‘Duties of Worker’ contained in the Work Health and Safety Act as amended.

Additionally, this position may be required to conduct other duties as lawfully directed by the reporting manager. 

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to possess:

• Previous experience in a similar capacity; or similar role, including pest animal control, pest plant control, behaviour and safe handling management of livestock, First Aid, investigating breaches, issuing fines & court appearances.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and from all backgrounds, while acting with tact and sensitivity.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in relation to enforcement procedures and local laws and other legislation.
• Commitment to a team-based approach, with demonstrated ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment to ensure the delivery of a high standard of customer service.
• Competent computer skills with the ability to quickly learn council’s corporate computer systems including Technology One, ECM (records management), and competent in the Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
•  Ability to demonstrate a strong commitment to council’s values and Employee Code of Conduct.
• Good time management, planning, and organisational skills with the ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Basic knowledge of local government functions, various legislation including Stock Route Management Act 2002 and Biosecurity Act 2014, procedures for local laws and policies and powers of entry.
• Minimum of Queensland C class provisional driver’s licence.
• Relevant qualifications related to the position responsibilities or willingness to undertake training to become competent in relevant disciplines required within the Rural Land Management role.
• Willing to undertake training for permits/approvals for; ACDC unrestricted licence, 1080 operators’ licence, Firearms licence & First Aid.

If this sounds like you, apply now!

Working for Central Highlands Regional Council has its benefits.

We are a progressive region, committed in creating opportunities for all. We welcome forward thinking individuals who are focused on continuous improvement, a sustainable future and understand the valuable role we play in investing in our regional community.

Benefits Include:

• A generous superannuation scheme 
• Fortnightly RDO’s
• Uniforms provided
• Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options
• Wages paid fortnightly
• Employee assistance program

To apply for this position:

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

Please download and review the position description

To be considered for this position, please include the following documents:

1. A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying for this position
2. Your resume detailing your career history relevant for this position

Applicants who are progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process will be invited to participate in a shortlisting process.

Eligibility & Pre-employment Checks

To be appointed to a permanent position, you must be an Australian citizen, or have permanent residency status, or hold a visa permitting you to work in Australia permanently. If you have a visa permitting you to work temporarily in Australia, you may be appointed to a position on a temporary basis, providing the work complies with the conditions of your visa.

The pre-employment checks relevant to this position include:

• Right to Work in Australia
• Medical Assessment
• Criminal History Check
• Reference and licence checks

For a confidential discussion, please contact a member of the Recruitment Team on 1300 242 686 during business hours or register your application by submitting your cover letter and resume.

Applications close: Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 8am.