Conservation Leaders is an Australian technology driven environmental and ecological consultancy. We exist to help ecosystems thrive, not just survive. We are a modern ecological consultancy bringing together science, technology, and deep field experience to solve complex environmental challenges. Drone technology is a core part of how we work, allowing us to access the previously inaccessible habitats, collect higher quality data with greater quantity, all to make more informed ecological decision making across diverse landscapes.
Our work supports organisations to protect biodiversity, restore habitats, and deliver measurable environmental outcomes. We value precision, professionalism, and people who care deeply about doing technically and ethically sound work in the field.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create tech powered, science led solutions that enable thriving ecosystems, now and into the future. We believe drone operations, when embedded thoughtfully within ecological practice, can significantly improve safety, efficiency, and data quality. Our approach is grounded in strong operational discipline, rigorous planning, and respect for environmental and regulatory contexts.
Why Work With Us
Conservation Leaders is a place for professionals who want to do their best work and keep growing. You will work alongside highly capable colleagues who value preparation, precision, and evidence-based decision making. As an experienced drone pilot, you will be trusted to operate with autonomy in the field, contribute to operational improvements, and help shape how drone capability continues to evolve within the organisation and within the environmental / ecological fields. We prioritise safety, realistic planning, and respectful workloads, particularly for night work and remote field operations. If you are looking for technically challenging work that contributes meaningfully to conservation outcomes, you will find alignment here.
About the Role RPAS Pilot / Field Ecologist (Contract, 6 months)
You will lead safe, compliant nocturnal thermal drone operations for fauna surveys (koalas, greater gliders and other arboreal species). During office weeks (or when flying demand is lower), you will contribute to ecological deliverables: data QA/QC, mapping outputs, method documentation, and report drafting support. Species identification can be trained; aviation discipline cannot.
Key Responsibilities Flight (night operations)
* Plan and execute nocturnal thermal survey missions in line with CASA requirements and Conservation Leaders procedures
* Onsite risk assessments, site evaluation, flight authorisations, and weather/go-no-go decisions
* Pre/post-flight inspections, equipment care, flight logging, and incident/near-miss reporting where required
* Capture thermal imagery/video and manage robust data backup and handover
* Data QA/QC, file management, metadata, and structured backups
* Support thermal review workflows (tagging/annotation, target lists, summary tables)
* Produce or assist with GIS outputs (basic mapping, site context figures) using QGIS / Google Earth Pro
* Draft methods/results content and appendices under guidance of senior ecologists
* Improve SOPs, mission templates, and operational checklists
* CASA RePL + AROC
* Demonstrated commercial RPAS experience with strong operational discipline (flight logs, checklists, risk decisions)
* Comfortable with night work, remote field conditions, and multi-day campaigns
* Strong data handling habits (structure, backups, traceability)
* Current driver's licence and ability to travel
Strongly preferred
* Thermal operations experience at night (wildlife survey preferred; other defensible thermal work accepted)
* First Aid; 4WD experience/capability
* Prior ecological consulting exposure
* Koala/greater glider habitat familiarity
* Report writing experience; experimental design/statistical literacy
Employment terms
* Fixed‐term full‐time contract (6 months, Apr–Oct 2026), with possible extension
* Casual appointment also considered (variable scheduling based on projects)
* Night shift and travel allowances/penalties paid in line with the applicable award; rate negotiated based on experience
* Travel across NSW with occasional interstate work
Application
Provide your resume, copies of RePL and AROC and a short summary of commercial hours and relevant thermal/night experience. Shortlisted candidates will be asked for flight logs and referee checks.
Equal opportunity
Conservation Leaders is an equal opportunity employer. We hire for competence, judgement, and integrity.
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