Landcare Officer
Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
| Job Prospects |
Average; employment for this occupation is expected to grow moderately to 2014-15. |
| Salary Range |
$30,000 to $40,000 |
| Brief |
High salinity levels and trees affected by diseases such as dieback, are just two of the problems affecting our natural environment. Landcare officers identify these and other environmental problems and find ways to control them. |
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TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Landcare Officer
Accredited (Award)
Introduction
Landcare officers work alongside local communities in most rural and some urban areas, to actively maintain the environment and to rehabilitate any degraded areas. Their role is to identify any problems affecting the local environment and to devise and establish programs or measures that will help overcome those problems and prevent similar ones occurring in the future.
Most landcare officers as Community Landcare Officers in the State's regional areas. These officers are employed by local government, catchment groups and land conservation district committees (LCDCs). Funding for these positions generally comes from Trusts or from other sources like local government, grants from private or other public bodies, and directly from landholders through voluntary or compulsory landcare levies. Landcare officers may also find employment with government agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Water and Rivers Commission.
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Helping and Community Services
Police Officer, Aged or Disabilities Carer, Counsellor and Community Worker, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Child Care Worker, Landcare Officer, Customer Service Officer, Park Ranger, Tourist Information Officer, Kitchen hand, Medical Administrative Officer, Interpreter, Reflexologist, Youth Worker or Disability Worker, Financial Counsellor, Patient Care Assistant, Massage Therapist, Fitness Instructor, Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Professional, Personal Assistant, Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers, Library Assistant or Technician
Influencing and Personal Contact
Designers for Theatre, Performance and Events, Receptionist (Tourism), Accountant, Police Officer, Event Coordinator, Restaurant and Catering Manager, Hotel Manager, Counsellor and Community Worker, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker, Travel Consultant (Domestic and International), Child Care Worker, Film, Stage, TV and Radio Director, Bank Officer, Musician, Butcher, Nursing (enrolled), Sports Coach, Personal Trainer, Landcare Officer, Human Resources Manager, Veterinary Nurse, Ecotourism Guide, Park Ranger, Author/ Book Editor, Tourist Information Officer, Beauty Therapist, Florist, Actor, Project and Program Administrator, Cellar Door Salesperson, Reflexologist, School Services Officer, Youth Worker or Disability Worker, Conveyancer, Copywriter, University - VET Lecturers, Financial Counsellor, Patient Care Assistant, Aromatherapist, Fitness Instructor, Hairdresser, Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Professional, Market Research Analyst, Sales Consultant (IT), Credit and Loans Officer, Marketing and Advertising Specialists, Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants, Management Consultant, Personal Assistant, Real Estate Sales Representatives & Property Managers, Fashion Designer
Outdoor
Horse Trainer, Aircraft Pilot, Police Officer, Travel Consultant (Domestic and International), Child Care Worker, Miner, Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker), Viticulturist and Vineyard Hand, Horticultural Tradesperson (Gardener), Animal Attendant, Nursery Worker, Sports Coach, Aquaculture Farmer and Technician, Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager, Landcare Officer, Telecommunications Technician, Ecotourism Guide, Park Ranger, Shearer, Jockey, Cartographer - Surveyor, Boilermakers/Welder, Floor Finisher, Painters and Decorator, Flat Glass Tradesperson, Environmental Scientist / Environmental Project Officer, Bricklayer
Education Requirements
Employers generally prefer applicants to have completed a degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Management.
TAFE SA offers the following courses: Certificate II, III, IV and Diploma in Conservation and Land Management; Dual Certificate II and III Program in Conservation, Land Management and Horticulture; Certificate IV in Environmental Technology; and the Diploma of Environmental Management.
Flinders University offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Environmental Management, Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Conservation), Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science).
The University of Adelaide offers the following courses: Bachelor of Science (EcoChemistry), Bachelor of Science (Ecology), Bachelor of Science (Sustainable Environments).
The University of South Australia offers the following courses: Bachelor of Environmental Science.
Career Path
This occupational group is still small and people in this line of work tend to remain in their positions for a long time. But, as people become increasingly aware of environmental issues and the importance of preventing land degradation and water pollution, employment prospects are likely to further improve. If you're interested in this type of work, you'll need to demonstrate a sound knowledge of environmental issues relevant to South Australia.
Industries
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Health and Community Services
Nature of the Job
Their job is to assist communities in agricultural areas to realise their landcare goals and work toward achieving them through the coordinated use of community resources, such as donated trees from the local nursery for landcare activities. The first important step for these officers is to raise community awareness of environmental issues and to encourage the community to contribute ideas and possible solutions. They also encourage the community to actively participate in land rehabilitation exercises, such as tree planting.
Typical Physical Working Environment
These environmental advocates are responsible for land in a specific catchment area, and it's important for them to network with people from all parts of the catchment. Some of their more common tasks involve helping landcare groups to get started by accessing relevant information for them. They also assist individuals or groups in the community to make decisions about preventing and controlling land and water degradation. In addition, they regularly monitor the local environment by observing water tables, rivers and soils and making the results known to the community. Community groups with an active interest in taking care of bushland, can also seek the assistance of community landcare officers in activities such as seed collection and bush regeneration.
Typical Occupational Example
The majority of their time is spent planning and managing re-vegetation activities from the office. They also liaise regularly with the local council, community members, government departments and tourist bureau. They are also involved in coordinating the Junior Landcare Program, which includes a variety of activities such as 'bush walks,' where the school children learn about the local flora and its importance to the environment. A lot of a landcare officer's job involves public education and promotion such as encouraging residents to plant local native species in their gardens and producing a seasonal newsletter and information pamphlets on a variety of projects and issues.
Earning Potential
The starting salary for this occupation is about $30,000 per year, which may go as high as $40,000 for people with several years experience.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or enquire online