Location: Near Shelford, VIC (Approx. 45 mins from Geelong & Ballarat, 90 mins from Melbourne)
Work Type: Full-Time
About the Role
Warrambeen is a large, historic, family-run farming enterprise near Shelford, combining high-quality Merino sheep and Angus cattle breeding with seasonal cropping.
Deeply committed to environmental stewardship, we actively protect and manage approximately 930 hectares of high-value remnant native grasslands (Victorian Volcanic Plains).
We are seeking a hands-on, dedicated Offset Manager to lead the protection, restoration, and operational management of these critically significant ecological offsets.
A Note on Peak Season:
While this is a manager-level role requiring high autonomy, planning, and team leadership, it is inherently hands-on.
During peak weed season (Spring/Early Summer), you will be on the ground alongside your team - carrying a knapsack and leading from the front to stay ahead of target species.
Key Responsibilities
Offset Management: Take full responsibility for the operational maintenance, restoration, and weed control across ~930ha of native grassland offsets.
Hands-on Weed Control: Execute targeted weed control strategies using various application methods (predominantly knapsack and spot spraying).
Team Leadership: Employ, coordinate, supervise, and work alongside small teams (up to 6 casuals/backpackers) during peak seasonal workloads.
Ecological Restoration: Direct and carry out seeding, planting, native vegetation establishment, and broader ecological works.
Fire Management: Plan and execute seasonal ecological controlled burns.
Infrastructure & Maintenance: Construct and maintain temporary exclusion fencing and perform general land management tasks.
Compliance & Mapping: Maintain accurate field records, spray logs,



and track weed management progress across the property.
Key Selection Criteria (Essential):
Field Experience: Proven hands-on experience in bush regeneration, land management, or conservation weed control.
Leadership Skills: Experience supervising or leading small teams on practical field tasks.
Physical Fitness & Drive: Comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions, highly self-motivated, and taking personal accountability for results.
Botanical Knowledge: Solid plant identification skills (identifying both native species and targeted invasive weeds).
Gaps in specific local species can be taught on site.
Autonomy: Ability to safely and efficiently manage your day-to-day schedule and tasks without direct supervision.
Desirable:
Qualifications (TAFE or Tertiary) in Conservation & Ecosystem Management (CLM), Natural Resource Management (NRM), or relevant environmental fields.
Current Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP).
Experience with Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP) grassland ecosystems.
Practical ecological burning experience.
Basic GIS mapping, spatial tracking, or digital data collection skills.
What We Offer
Autonomy & Impact: The opportunity to manage and protect a critically important, large-scale conservation asset.
Accommodation: Basic, on-site accommodation is available in our farm shearers' quarters if required (priority given to candidates based in or relocating to Geelong/Ballarat/surrounding regional areas).
Immediate Start Available: We are keen to onboard the right candidate promptly to allow for a comprehensive handover before late winter ecological burns and spring activity begins.
If you are a motivated, experienced land management professional looking for an operational leadership role in conservation, we would love to hear from you.
nrmjobs.com.au/job/********

📌 Victorian Native Grassland Offset Manager (Ballarat)
🏢 Warrambeen
📍 Ballarat