16th March, 2026
Ranger Coordinator/Community Field Officer - Country Programs Pilbara, Western Australia | Full-time, permanent
Would you love the opportunity to live and work in remote desert regions on traditional lands in the Pilbara? Are you passionate about supporting and empowering ranger teams and community elders to plan and deliver meaningful on-country activities?
A community-led organisation working to strengthen culture and support sustainable communities across a vast desert region in the Pilbara, Western Australia, is seeking a Ranger Coordinator / Community Field Officer to support Indigenous ranger teams based in remote communities. Through locally based ranger teams, the program supports people to return to Country, care for land and culture, and strengthen sustainable communities.
In this role, you will work alongside local rangers and elders to plan and deliver on-Country activities, community trips and agreed work programs. You will help ensure activities are guided by cultural knowledge and community priorities, supporting people to connect with Country and fulfil cultural responsibilities. The role also includes supporting ranger teams to deliver annual work plans aligned with community priorities and funding agreements, with technical support from external partners. Guided by a long-term cultural and strategic framework, the Country program delivers a range of on-country activities that support cultural, environmental, educational, and social outcomes. These programs enable community members to access and care for their traditional lands, pass on knowledge to younger generations, and strengthen community wellbeing.
Traditional Owners hold native title over approximately 15 million hectares of Country, including a large national park spanning several desert bioregions. This region contains some of the most intact arid ecosystems in the world and is home to iconic and threatened desert species such as the greater bilby, northern quoll and great desert skink. Cultural and environmental values are deeply interconnected across this landscape. The landscape, water sources, habitats, fauna and flora of this country together comprise a cultural landscape in which identity, beliefs, creation stories, sacred sites, cultural practices and traditional livelihoods are embedded.
This is a full-time permanent position, beginning asap, or, for the right person a start date can be negotiated. There is the possibility of employment for partners with either the organisation or other service providers in the community.
Objectives of the role
- Work with and empower rangers and elders in the planning, facilitating, organising and conducting of on-country activities, community-led trips and agreed works within communities.
- Orient all on-country activities for the community with a local worldview - particularly working within the organisation's Country, Culture and Community Framework
- Provide the means by which rangers can engage with country and fulfil cultural aspirations and obligations
- Work with rangers on the delivery of annual work plans as agreed with relevant funders
Specific duties To effectively fulfil this role the Ranger / Community Field Coordinator will be expected to undertake the following specific duties:
- Develop strong professional relationships with individuals and communities
- Motivate and develop a ranger team with a strong sense of purpose, pride and ability to implement on-country activities
- Facilitate on-country work including day, overnight and multi-day trips to priority areas and deliver on annual work plans
- Ensure all the necessary food, camping equipment and technology are available and in good condition for community-based on-country work
- Support rangers to increase their skills, confidence and capacity to take on greater responsibility and leadership of on- country work and trips, including providing guidance, support and logistical assistance for ranger-only, on-country trips
- Actively participate in the remote community team, all staff meetings and planning sessions
- Collaborate and provide support to other programs doing on-country activities
- Facilitate and integrate both traditional and contemporary land management learning opportunities for rangers into activities
- Ensure that reporting of activities and submission of photos, documents and data are done as soon as possible after trips or activities
- In conjunction with the Logistics team, ensure all community-based assets, including vehicles, plant and equipment are maintained
- Maintain high standards in all of the work that you do and seek to develop your skills and the skills of people that you work with
- Support and promote the organisation's overall mission, values and the delivery of its programs
- Other work as directed.
Benefits The organisation will provide the following benefits:
- Salary $91,128 - $93,585
- Fully furnished accommodation
- Four return flights from Newman to any Australian capital city or NZ, per calendar year (not accruable) up to $750 each. Or alternatively four ground travel allowances up to $750 each (not accruable).
- Ability to salary sacrifice
- Relocation costs up to $3,000
- Internet provided and assistance with phone
- Work laptop provided
- Use of vehicle for work programs
Footprint Placements will provide benefits to assist you in your transition to remote life including,
- Trauma Responsive Practice in Education with the Australian Childhood Foundation
- Cultural Competency training with the Stronger Smarter Institute (one term+ contracts)
- First aid certification (6 month+ contracts)
What You Need to Succeed! - Commitment and ability to work in a cross-cultural environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in difficult and demanding scenarios
- An ability to engage and collaborate with other staff, external environmental stakeholders and partners
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Good organisational and administrative skills including the ability to multitask
- Comfortable with working remotely and camping on-country
- Good practical skills and ability to manage and maintain equipment, technology and vehicles necessary for on-country work
- Competent in the use of technology generally and Microsoft Office products in particular
- Satisfactory National Police Check (to be finalised prior to probationary period)
- Current WA Working with Children Card (to be finalised prior to probationary period)
- Current WA manual C class driver's licence (or equivalent in other Australian jurisdictions)
- Willing and able to undertake training and be a nominated person on a corporate firearm licence
Desirable
- Four-wheel drive/ offroad experience
- Demonstrated experience/qualifications relating to one or more of the following: field work; environmental science; or community development
- Creative, innovative and a problem solver
How To Apply? Interested? We would love you to provide a CV with a LinkedIn profile (if you possess) and a cover letter and apply via our website, www.footprintplacements.com.au. Please ensure the cover letter is a maximum of 2-3 pages. Have a question? Email hello@footprintplacements.com.au.
Candidates must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work.
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