Adventure Meets Impact – Health Check Ranger (Cairns, Northern Region)
Ready to take your conservation career to the next level? Join QPWS&P as a Health Check Ranger and lead monitoring and research across some of Queensland's most iconic landscapes. Based in Cairns, you'll coordinate regional strategies under the Health Check Program, travel to remote areas, and help shape how we manage and protect natural resources.
You'll need sharp liaison skills, a knack for networking, and a solid understanding of the Values-Based Management Framework. This is hands-on fieldwork with purpose—contributing to fire, pest, visitor, estate, and asset management across protected areas.
If you love data, adventure, and making a difference, we want to hear from you
Position Title: Ranger
Location: Cairns, Northern Region, Queensland
Agency: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DETSI)
Team: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships (QPWS&P)
Step Into a Role That Shapes the Future of Queensland's Wild Spaces
Are you passionate about science, the outdoors, and driving real conservation outcomes?
Do you want to play a key role in protecting Queensland's most extraordinary parks and ecosystems?
As a Health Check Ranger, you'll do just that—leading vital monitoring and research programs across some of the most ecologically rich and culturally significant landscapes in the country.
Based in vibrant Cairns, this role is your opportunity to be part of a dynamic, region-wide program that supports smarter, more effective natural resource management.
You won't just collect data—you'll help drive decisions that protect Queensland's wild places now and into the future.
About The Role
The Health Check Ranger is a specialist leadership role responsible for coordinating the design, delivery and evaluation of ecological and management effectiveness monitoring across the Northern Region. You'll guide the implementation of monitoring strategies and provide technical support to park managers, planners, rangers, and stakeholders.
Your focus will be on the Health Check Program, which tracks how our parks are performing and where we can improve—helping ensure Queensland's protected areas remain world-class.
This is a hands-on role that requires field time, strategic thinking, relationshipbuilding and lots of regional travel—especially during peak delivery seasons (usually Monday to Friday travel blocks).
What You'll Do
* Coordinate and implement the Health Check Program and contribute to its evolution in the Northern Region.
* Develop, refine and oversee monitoring and research strategies aligned with the Values-Based Management Framework.
* Collect, manage and interpret ecological data to assess the impact and success of fire, pest, visitor, and estate management practices.
* Build strong partnerships with Traditional Owners, researchers, rangers, local communities and conservation organisations.
* Provide training and mentoring to field teams to enhance regional delivery of monitoring programs.
* Prepare detailed reports and briefings for senior staff and contribute to adaptive management decisions.
Who We're Looking For
We want someone who's curious, analytical, and committed to conservation. You're equally at home in the field or at a desk, comfortable leading collaborations and presenting your findings. You love a challenge, take initiative, and thrive on turning data into impact.
You'll Need
* Solid understanding of ecological monitoring principles and Values-Based Management.
* Experience developing or leading science-based field projects—particularly in protected or remote areas.
* Excellent stakeholder and liaison skills—you can build trust, listen well and collaborate effectively.
* Strong organisational and analytical skills to manage complex data and competing timelines.
* Flexibility and fitness for frequent regional travel and outdoor work in rugged conditions.
Desirable
* Knowledge of Queensland's natural systems and protected area legislation.
* GIS or ecological database experience.
* Familiarity with working alongside Traditional Owners and culturally informed land management practices.
Why Join Us?
* Real impact – Your work informs frontline decisions that shape the health of Queensland's most precious natural assets.
* Field and desk balance – Enjoy the variety of outdoor site work and technical project leadership.
Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Job Ad Reference: QLD/646941/25
Closing Date: Friday, 18 July 2025
Occupational group Primary Industry & Environment
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