Job Description
Victorian Native Grassland Offset Manager
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Location: Near Shelford, VIC (Approx. 45 mins from Geelong & Ballarat, 90 mins from Melbourne)
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Work Type: Full-Time
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About the Role
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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).
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We are seeking a hands-on, dedicated Offset Manager to lead the protection, restoration, and operational management of these critically significant ecological offsets.
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A Note on Peak Season:
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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.
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Key Responsibilities
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Offset Management: Take full responsibility for the operational maintenance, restoration, and weed control across ~930ha of native grassland offsets.
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Hands-on Weed Control: Execute targeted weed control strategies using various application methods (predominantly knapsack and spot spraying).
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Team Leadership: Employ, coordinate, supervise, and work alongside small teams (up to 6
casuals/backpackers)
during peak seasonal workloads.
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Ecological Restoration: Direct and carry out seeding, planting, native vegetation establishment, and broader ecological works.
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Fire Management: Plan and execute seasonal ecological controlled burns.
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Infrastructure & Maintenance:



Construct and maintain temporary exclusion fencing and perform general land management tasks.
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Compliance & Mapping: Maintain accurate field records, spray logs, and track weed management progress across the property.
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Leadership Skills: Experience supervising or leading small teams on practical field tasks.
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Physical Fitness & Drive: Comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions, highly self-motivated, and taking personal accountability for results.
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Botanical Knowledge: Solid plant identification skills (identifying both native species and targeted invasive weeds). Gaps in specific local species can be taught on site.
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Autonomy: Ability to safely and efficiently manage your day-to-day schedule and tasks without direct supervision.
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Qualifications (TAFE or Tertiary) in Conservation & Ecosystem Management (CLM), Natural Resource Management (NRM), or relevant environmental fields.
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Current Agricultural Chemical User Permit (ACUP).
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Experience with Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP) grassland ecosystems.
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Practical ecological burning experience.
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Basic GIS mapping, spatial tracking, or digital data collection skills.
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What We Offer
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Autonomy & Impact: The opportunity to manage and protect a critically important, large-scale conservation asset.
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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).
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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.
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If you are a motivated, experienced land management professional looking for an operational leadership role in conservation, we would love to hear from you.
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📌 Victorian Native Grassland Offset Manager (Victoria)
🏢 Warrambeen
📍 Victoria