"Field Station Manager - Fowlers Gap"

Field Station Manager - Fowlers Gap

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Job no: 538662
Work type: Full Time
Location: Other location
Categories: Estate / Facilities Management

• Employment Type: Full time, 13-month contract (maternity leave cover)
• Remuneration: Level 8, from $127,351 + 17% superannuation
• Location: Fowlers Gap Research Station, Regional NSW

About UNSW

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. We aspire to be Australia’s global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society. Estate Management (EM) provides a range of services and advice to all Faculties and Divisions on the Kensington campus as well as the sub-campuses.

About Fowlers Gap

Fowlers Gap Research Station is a field station of UNSW Sydney used for education, research, and outreach about the ecology and management of Australia’s arid zone. The station has recently divested itself of sheep and has moved towards protecting and managing its ecosystems, informed by research. This role is based in far western NSW, 110km north of Broken Hill. The station is located in the arid zone of Australia (temperature range >40°C in the summer (day) and >0°C during the winter (night).

Why your role matters

Reporting to the Senior Manager – Property & Retail and working in collaboration with the Director of Fowlers Gap Research and Conservation and UNSW Facilities Management, the Field Station Manager will support the protection and management of the local ecosystem, informed by research. The position has one direct report and is responsible for management and direction of casual and contractor engagements.

The successful candidate will be required to live on-site, with rental costs deducted from their salary.

About the Role

The successful applicant will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:

Facilities Management

• In consultation with the Regional Property Manager, deliver annual operational and works program (including minor refurbishments) to ensure that priorities are met in accordance with agreed building management programs, performance objectives and budgets.
• ensure the delivery of the planning, prioritisation and implementation of support services for building maintenance, facilities management, repairs, and improvements.
• Co-ordinate facility management services for the station’s assets under external service contracts.
• Proactively conduct routine maintenance and inspections on infrastructure & assets, visitor facilities, water supply & fencing, ensuring that they remain fully operational and compliant.
• manage processes to ensure that all station vehicles are regularly serviced, registered and maintained as per UNSW Fleet Management policy.
• Work with key business partners across Estate Management to effectively manage, provide advice and report on matters regarding building presentation, performance, and building services maintenance.
• Provide high quality regular reports to Senior Manager, Property & Retail on asset performance, building maintenance, operational, and budget issues.
• Facilitate the buildings’ Annual Fire Safety and Essential Services Compliance Reports and manage any corrective actions or compliance issues.
• Oversee contractors, casuals, and their activities, ensuring that work is carried out in a timely manner and output is of a sufficient quality.

Fowlers Gap Strategic Adaptive Management Plan

Implement outcomes of the Strategic Adaptive Management Plan, including but not limited to:

• Oversee and prioritise the restoration of ecosystems appropriate to the station’s research, teaching, education, and outreach activities.
• Co-ordinate and manage operational conservation activities, as required under the Strategic Adaptive Management Plan.
• Ongoing monitoring and delivery of the feral animal control program (including goats, pigs, cats, foxes) and weed control.

Managing the accommodation and hospitality requirements of the site, including but not limited to

• a management plan for onsite accommodation & hospitality services.
• Lead the management and prioritisation of bookings, catering and housekeeping, (co-ordinating external providers as required), for all visitors staying on the property.
• Be first point of contact to provide information to internal and external clients on the station facilities and their appropriateness for activities, including for researchers, courses, conferences, workshops and other visitor experiences.
• Manage and provide work health and safety briefings, inductions and tours for visitors at the station, accounting for equipment and keeping daily activity logs.
• Provide research infrastructure and support where required by researchers, students, education staff, and other visitors involved in Fowlers Gap.
• implement an inventory management system and preventative maintenance protocols/ schedules to ensure research and management equipment (e.g., Polaris, camera traps, pitfall traps, drones, radio-tracking & lab equipment) is regularly maintained, calibrated and adequately registered/tracked.
• Ensure station IT infrastructure is operational and perform basic diagnostics to identify issues and perform corrective actions, with central UNSW IT support as needed.

General

• Foster and actively develop positive working relationships with neighbours and local community.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About You

• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent facilities management qualifications and/or experience with a minimum 7 years’ relevant experience in building management and FM service delivery, planning, prioritisation, budgeting and financial management.
• Strong experience and knowledge working in a remote environment.
• Advanced experience in conservation management, including restoration of ecosystems and management in relation to feral animal control and monitoring wildlife.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to obtain additional licences to operate a broad range of heavy specialised equipment on the station, including but not limited to heavy rigid (highly desirable), front-end loader and forklift.
• Current first aid certificate.
• Licensed to utilise a firearm for feral animal control.
• Sound stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability engaging with diverse stakeholders, including neighbours and local community, researchers, First Nations, and government agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, without supervision.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, and the ability to work well under pressure, problem solve and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, influence and guide staff, including casual engagements and contractors.
• Demonstrated computer literacy with experience using Microsoft Office applications.

For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description

Position Description

How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before 15 April 2026.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
• Career development opportunities
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

Job queries contact: Tai James, Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: tai.james@unsw.edu.au (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)