BACKGROUND

Koala Farmland Funds (KFF) purchase land in Queensland to develop incremental environmental income streams in form of biodiversity offsets, carbon credits, or hosting renewable projects. Launched in 2021, there are now 2 funds across 4 properties with another 3 properties to be purchased in 2025. It is the intention to continue growing the portfolio of KFF funds and properties. KFF boasts some of Australia’s largest residential and renewable developers as clients.

KFF is run by Upscale Funds Management (Upscale), whose vision is to create more investable climate resilient agriculture that is positive for investors and the environment. Upscale began in 2016 and is one of the very few for-profit environmental fund managers in Australia. Upscale now manages 7 funds and 11 properties with $75m under management. The Upscale Group also operates Upscale Carbon, a carbon farming developer that helps landholders create their own carbon credits. Upscale has offices in Toowoomba and Chinchilla.

The Upscale Group is a family oriented, value-driven company and cultural alignment with staff and stakeholders is critical.

REPORTING LINE & LOCATION

The position will report directly to the Koala Farmland Fund Farm Manager.

This role requires the Farm Operator to be living in the Esk area, (Somerset Region) or in on farm accommodation as it becomes available.

TASKS

In a start-up company with few employees, position descriptions must be relatively fluid to move with the development of the company, therefore the Farm Operator needs to be flexible and multiskilled to work across multiple business units.

The primary accountabilities will be:

1. Operating Equipment

General clearing and bobcat use

Track and firebreak maintenance

Dozer operating

Herbicide spraying

Buggy use

Servicing and safe use of all machinery

Fencing delivery and design, including removal of old

Water including pumps, pipes and troughs

General rural property work, maintenance & repairs

Preparing and delivering controlled burns for bushfire management

2. Work Delivery

· Deliver the onsite needs of approved Offset Management Plans

· Deliver onsite agricultural operational needs

· Manage emails and communication in a professional timely manner

· Liaise with General Manager & Farm Manager for operational planning & execution

· Work across other business units and locations as required

3. Workplace Health & Safety

· While at work, the Farm Operator must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their actions

· Contribute to a safety-first culture, by identifying, notifying & controlling hazards as soon as practical

· Ensure contractors and visitors are behaving / operating safely in their duties

4. General

· Comply with company policies as set by the Board

· Complete any other tasks which may be reasonably required for the businesses as directed

· This role will require travel and overnight stays

· Accommodation as part of the package is available on farm

CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal characteristics of the person are:

· Attention to detail: unafraid of getting into the detail, crossing the I’s and dotting the T’s

· Drive: high energy, relentless focus on delivery, self-motivated, achievement orientated

· Resilience: strong initiative, the ability to stay positive with the inevitable ups and downs of a business

· Strong emotional intelligence and work ethic: self-awareness, maturity, able to listen and take direction, deal with ambiguity with an open mind

· Communication and reliability: mixes easily across a broad range of stakeholders

· Attitude: enthusiastic, adaptable, loyal, positive

· A learner: recognition that no one will have all the skill sets but have the appetite to learn, keep personally developing

· Ability to work independently: a focus on safety

· Physical fitness for outdoor, manual work

· Mechanical aptitude

· Current Australian C class manual driver’s licence and reliable transport

· Willingness to work in all weather conditions

SKILLS/ QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred skills required for the role are:

· Significant experience operating machinery

· Minimum ten years

· Tractors, bobcats, sprayers, slashers, dozers, ATVs

· Mechanically minded, experience servicing equipment

· Basic computer literacy and skills

· GPS and mapping understanding

· ChemCert accreditation (or willingness to obtain)

· Background in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry

· Excellent fencing skills

· Excellent farm water delivery experience

· Pipes pumps etc