Leader of Ranger Programs Indigenous-led NFP in Pilbara, WA

Area Lead – Country Programs

Pilbara, Western Australia | Full-time, permanent

A community-led organisation dedicated to strengthening culture and supporting sustainable communities across a vast desert region in the Pilbara, Western Australia, is seeking an Area Lead – Country Programs to lead and support Indigenous ranger teams based in remote communities. Through locally based ranger teams, the program enables people to return to Country, care for land and culture, and strengthen community resilience.

This role will oversee 6-10 coordinators reporting directly to you.

The Area Lead – Country Programs provides leadership for the organisation’s Country Program, translating community priorities into effective land management strategies and on-Country outcomes. You will lead culturally grounded work programs aligned with the organisation’s learning and development framework, managing people, program delivery, funding accountability, and community engagement. You will support multiple ranger teams to ensure that on-Country work is planned, well‑resourced, safe, and delivered to a high standard, while embedding cultural knowledge, community aspirations, and cultural obligations across programs.

This role requires a hands‑on leader with a regular presence in remote communities who can guide teams through complex, dynamic conditions, maintaining culturally grounded, purposeful, safe, and accountable operations. Success in this role comes from building strong relationships, providing consistent on‑the‑ground support, and responding flexibly to changing circumstances such as weather, cultural priorities, access constraints, and community needs.

The Country Program empowers Traditional Owners to access, care for, and remain connected to approximately 15 million hectares of desert lands, including a large national park spanning multiple desert bioregions. Guided by the organisation’s Country, Culture and Communities Framework and strategic plan, the program delivers culturally grounded on‑Country activities that integrate environmental management, cultural knowledge transfer, education and community outcomes.

The program enables elders, rangers and community members to work together on Country, supporting the passing on of cultural knowledge between generations while strengthening livelihoods and wellbeing in remote communities. The program is delivered through ranger teams based in remote communities, supported by specialist staff and external partners who provide technical expertise and delivery support.

Through activities such as land and fire management, cultural site visits and community‑led trips, the program contributes to healthy Country, strong culture and resilient communities. The region is one of the most intact arid ecosystems in the world and is home to iconic and threatened species such as the greater bilby, northern quoll, and great desert skink. Cultural and environmental values are deeply interconnected, with landscapes, water sources, habitats, fauna, and flora forming a rich cultural landscape embedded with identity, beliefs, creation stories, sacred sites, cultural practices, and traditional livelihoods.

This is a full‑time permanent position, beginning ASAP, or for the right person a start date can be negotiated. There is the possibility of employment for partners with either the organisation or other service providers in the community.

• Lead, manage and mentor the Country Program team in line with the organisation’s values, methods and organisational culture.
• Set annual priorities and work plans with the General Manager, Ranger Teams and Cultural Advisors.
• Oversee planning, delivery and reporting of on-Country land management activities.
• Ensure all work is delivered within the Framework and guided by a local worldview.

• Maintain regular, in-person engagement with Ranger Teams and staff in remote communities.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with individuals and communities.
• Support staff wellbeing, performance and development in complex operating environments.