The Dudley Peninsula feral cat eradication program is one of the largest and most complex island feral cat eradications in the world. The program is applying a broad range of knockdown and specialist control tools, and cutting-edge technologies to overcome the challenges of working at scale and across multi-tenure landscapes to achieve eradication. Significant progress has been made in reducing the feral cat population over the last 12 months, attributable to high levels of community support, recent changes to feral cat control legislation, application of advanced technology and a highly skilled and dedicated team. The program is planning to deliver the final stages of feral cat population knockdown over the next 12 months, transitioning then to mop-up and proof of absence phases. In order to achieve this, the program requires a Senior Technical Officer to support operations and the application of high-tech control technologies.

In this role you will work collaboratively with the Project Officer - Operations and Control Technologies, to support delivery of the Dudley Peninsula feral cat eradication and other feral cat control programs on Kangaroo Island. A major focus of this role is to assist with the installation, management and maintenance of Celium remote trap monitoring technology to support landscape-scale application of control tools. This technology currently links over 1,000 trap (cage and soft-jaw leg hold) sensor nodes and 40 hubs or listening stations across the 38,000 ha Dudley Peninsula, making it Australia’s largest remotely monitored trap network.

This hands-on role will see the incumbent working within a team to manage traps and other control tools. To compliment Celium trap technology and for progressive eradication, the program is also applying a range of control tools including thermal ground shooting and drones, feral cat detection dogs, baiting and Felixer grooming traps. You will need to be highly motivated, have a keen eye for detail and a high degree of practical skills and experience relevant to the role. A critical aspect will be in developing and maintaining effective relationships with community and landholders for access and participation in the program.