Sanctuary Manager & Assistant Sanctuary Manager | Kalamurina

About AWC:

AWC is a pragmatic global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Guided by science, AWC delivers measurable conservation impacts at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species.

At AWC we are inspired by the unparalleled richness of Australia's wildlife and we are united by our determination to protect its unique animals and landscapes. It is our mission to effectively conserve all Australian wildlife and habitats and our vision is for a world where Australia's biodiversity is valued and effectively conserved by an engaged community.


The delivery of AWC's mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other as a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders.


AWC's work is guided by the following values. At AWC, we are:

• Accountable - taking ownership of our actions and outcomes
• Informed - working together to acquire and apply evidence, knowledge and experience
• Respectful - demonstrating care, recognition and integrity
• Dedicated - committed to delivering effective outcomes, with resilience and tenacity
• Innovative - applying creative thinking for effective solutions
• Sustainable - delivering long-term financial and ecological viability.

About the roles:

Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary spans nearly 680,000 hectares on the shores of Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre in arid north-eastern South Australia. Where three major desert waterways converge, the sanctuary forms a vital ecological corridor linking Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park and the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert Regional Reserve - creating a continuous protected area larger than Tasmania. Across sweeping dunefields, gibber plains, freshwater lakes, and riparian corridors, the team works to protect threatened species such as the Crest-tailed Mulgara, Dusky Hopping Mouse, and Eyrean Grasswren through feral animal management, ecological monitoring, and habitat restoration. This is conservation at scale in one of Australia's most remote and spectacular landscapes.

AWC is currently seeking two committed and enthusiastic individuals to fill the roles of Sanctuary Manager and Assistant Sanctuary Manager , based at Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary. The ideal candidates will be very practical people with a passion for saving Australia's wildlife and landscapes. They will be able to demonstrate the ability to manage people and co-ordinate major projects simultaneously and integrate these projects with AWC's science program. Candidates will need to have experience with remote property management (including fire management, feral animals, weeds, roads, buildings and fencing) and getting things done on time and within budget. Successful candidates will be capable of working with a wide range of stakeholders such as land managers, scientists, students, volunteers, visitors and neighbouring landholders.

The Sanctuary Manager and Assistant Sanctuary Manager roles would be suited to two individuals known to each other, as the provided on-site accommodation within the Homestead is a shared arrangement. The two roles are offered on a permanent full-time basis and have become available as replacement positions.

This is a unique opportunity to join Australia's largest non-government conservation organisation and help shape the future of private-sector conservation in Australia.

Critical competencies:

NOTE: For the full role-specific competencies and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Position Descriptions below.

1. Getting things done: Strong planning and organisational skills, including proven ability to coordinate, prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner. The Sanctuary Manager role requires an exceptional level of capability in this area.
2. Managing and working with people: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. The Sanctuary Manager role additionally requires proven ability in recruiting, leading, developing, managing and coordinating remote teams of staff, volunteers and contractors.
3. Infrastructure and asset management: Demonstrated knowledge and practical skills in asset maintenance and infrastructure projects including:
   • Sanctuary Manager: Supervising and hands-on implementation of infrastructure projects such as fencing, buildings and services (e.g. energy and water systems), and supervising and implementing an asset maintenance program.
   • Assistant Sanctuary Manager: Leading and assisting in the implementation of infrastructure projects and asset maintenance programs.
   • Ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment. The Sanctuary Manager role requires the ability to perform routine repairs and maintenance, including mechanical.
4. Land management: Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including:
   • Sanctuary Manager: Planning and hands-on delivery of feral eradication, prescribed fire (including wildfire response) and weed management programs across unfenced landscapes.
   • Assistant Sanctuary Manager: Leading and assisting in the planning and delivery of feral animal and weed management programs. Assisting with prescribed fire programs, including wildfire response.
5. Financial management: Demonstrated ability to help deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to assist in the management of financial resources including:
   • Sanctuary Manager: Developing and operating within an agreed budget and operational plan for the Sanctuary.
   • Assistant Sanctuary Manager: Operating within an agreed budget and operational plan for the Sanctuary.
   • Coding and tracking expenditure; and
   • Preparing written financial and operational reports.
6. Paperwork and compliance: Demonstrated ability to maintain records, manage data, write letters and reports, manage permit/authorisation processes and undertake contract management.
7. Resourcefulness: The ability to improvise and problem-solve, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
8. Living in the bush: Previous experience and ability to work and live in a rural area, preferably remote, and the supervision of teams in geographically diverse locations.
9. Information technology: Intermediate competence in using standard business software packages including Word, Excel, MS Outlook and cloud servers (such as Dropbox) is essential.
10. A passion for conservation: A passion for, or strong interest in, conservation.
11. Willingness to travel.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, but is less important than strong, practical experience and a good track record of delivering 'on-ground' results.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering 'on-ground' results in land management.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

1. Valid manual driver's license. 4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential for both roles.
2. Senior first aid certificate (remote certification - highly desirable).
3. Valid agricultural machinery licenses such as trucks, backhoe and other machinery as relevant (desirable).
4. Valid firearms license (highly desirable).
5. Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, or willingness to obtain.

Inherent Requirements of the Roles:

The execution of tasks associated with these positions involve fieldwork in a very remote location and, at times, away from an established field base. The working environment will include working outdoors and often in the extremes of weather - hot, wet, and/or dry, especially when conducting fire operations. The position can be physically demanding, requiring muscular activity including lifting, and carrying, pushing and pulling loads, bending, climbing and driving a variety of vehicles. The successful applicants must be physically capable of performing these activities, at this location in order to carry out the inherent role responsibilities. Kalamurina is very isolated and can be cut off during the wet season for extended periods and as such, the managers must be capable of spending periods in isolation, with the ability to manage the associated logistics of food and supplies.

To view the detailed position description for these roles, click the links below*:
Assistant Sanctuary Manager | Kalamurina
Sanctuary Manager | Kalamurina

*If viewing this ad on an external job platform such as Seek and you encounter any issues downloading the Position Descriptions, please refer to our careers page.

Join our Journey:

Take the leap and start your next adventure with the AWC! AWC reserves the right to start screening applicants and interviewing throughout the recruitment process.


Initial enquiries: View email address on click.appcast.io

Applications:To submit an application, click 'Apply' and follow the prompts to complete an online application form. Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.

Please note:

1. Applicants must be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a suitable visa in place in order to apply. Sponsorship is not available.
2. Applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment checks, which may include a national police clearance, online medical and a values-based assessment. Please note that the cost of the police check is the responsibility of the applicant.
3. If you apply for this role, AWC will include you in its ongoing updates and communications about its events, activities and fundraising initiatives. You may opt out of these communications at any time.
4. Any application submitted to AWC will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at By providing us with your contact details, you consent to receive communications and direct educational material will remain current until you advise us otherwise.

AWC is a welcoming and inclusive organisation that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as First Nations and Torres Strait Islander, individuals with disabilities, the LGBTIQA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to apply for the opportunity. AWC values and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves, and where a range of perspectives, cultures, and voices are respected and recognised as a key part to the success of AWC. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also have the right to live and work in Australia.