Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land and Sea Ranger
What the work is
Combines traditional ecological knowledge with conservation training and western science to protect and manage land, sea and culture on the lands and waters on which they are culturally authorised to operate.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Undertakes biodiversity monitoring and threatened species management programs using scientific techniques coupled with traditional ecological and cultural knowledge
- Conducts cultural burning and wildfire suppression
- Shares traditional skills and knowledge in partnership with research, education, philanthropic and commercial organisations to contribute to environmental research and activities
- Engages with visitors and community groups to facilitate traditional knowledge transfer and increase cultural awareness
- Provides cultural and heritage site management
- Undertakes weed and feral animal control and environmental regeneration activities
- Monitors waters and controls marine debris such as ghost nets
- May participate in biosecurity and fisheries compliance activities
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a coastal national park with walking tracks, campgrounds, bushland and a wetland. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A threatened bird nests successfully in a spot you helped protect
- A group of school children learn something about the bush and ask for more
- You walk a track you rebuilt and watch families using it without a second thought
Hard days
- A holiday weekend brings crowds and a few people who ignore every sign
- Wet weather washes away a track you spent weeks repairing
- A long, hot day pulling weeds that will grow back again unless you keep coming
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 244331, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.