Farm Operator

BACKGROUND

 Koala Farmland Funds (KFF) purchase land in Queensland to develop incremental environmental income streams in form of biodiversity offsets, carbon credits, or hosting renewable projects.  Launched in 2021, there are now 2 funds across 8 properties.  It is the intention to continue growing the portfolio of KFF funds and properties. KFF boasts some of Australia’s largest residential and renewable developers as clients.

KFF is run by Upscale Funds Management (Upscale), whose vision is to create more investable climate resilient agriculture that is positive for investors and the environment.  Upscale began in 2016 and is one of the very few for-profit environmental fund managers in Australia.  The Upscale Group also operates Upscale Carbon, a carbon farming developer that helps landholders create their own carbon credits.  Upscale has offices in Toowoomba and Chinchilla.

The Upscale Group is a family oriented, value-driven company and cultural alignment with staff and stakeholders is critical.   These values include:   

• Authenticity 

• Hunger 

• Resilience 

• Deliver on promises 

• No Idiots

 Our specific KFF operational commitment’s are:  

• We practice and preach commonsense, practical safety.  Everyone goes home safe to their loved ones, every night.    

• We’re deliberately future-focused – because smart planning today allows us to make better decisions for the business and better return on investment for our investors.   

• We dedicate ourselves to be the first call for the industry and government navigating the world of Biodiversity Offsets – trusted, knowledgeable, and ready to help.    

• We know that we will be judged on our behaviours, individually and as a company.     

• We’re first class stewards of our land – managing it with care, precision, and pride within the bounds of the Offset Management Plans.   Our unwavering commitment is for agriculture and the environment to co-exist.  Nature Positive Always.   

• We are educators at heart – We genuinely care about the environment.  Biodiversity loss is real, and we’re proud to lead the conversation with the business community and our clients.   

REPORTING LINE & LOCATION

 The position will report directly to the Operations Manager. 

This role requires the Farm Operator to be living in the Esk area, (Somerset Region) or in on farm accommodation if required.

TASKS

You will be joining a team of 2 other Farm Operators and with a grtowing business the role needs to be flexible and multiskilled to work across multiple business units.

The primary accountabilities will be: 

Operating Equipment 

• General clearing and skid steer use 

• Track and firebreak maintenance 

• Tractor operation 

• Dozer operation (preferred but not essential) 

• Herbicide application and calibration of spraying equipment 

• ATV / UTV Use 

• Servicing and safe use of all machinery 

• Fencing delivery and design, including removal of old 

• Water including pumps, pipes and troughs 

• General rural property work, maintenance & repairs 

• Preparing and delivering controlled burns for bushfire management  

Work Delivery  

• Deliver the onsite needs of approved Offset Management Plans  

• Deliver onsite agricultural operational needs 

• Manage emails and communication in a professional timely manner  

• Liaise with Operations Manager for operational planning & execution  

• Work across other business units and locations as required  

Workplace Health & Safety 

• While at work, the Farm Operator must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their actions 

• Contribute to a safety-first culture, by identifying, notifying & controlling hazards as soon as practical  

• Ensure contractors and visitors are behaving / operating safely in their duties 

General 

• Comply with company policies as set by the Board  

• Complete any other tasks which may be reasonably required for the businesses as directed  

• This role may require travel and overnight stays and may require work in the Chinchilla region from time to time 

 CHARACTERISTICS

 The ideal characteristics of the person are:

• Attention to detail: unafraid of getting into the detail, crossing the I’s and dotting the T’s 

• Drive: high energy, relentless focus on delivery, self-motivated, achievement orientated 

• Resilience: strong initiative, the ability to stay positive with the inevitable ups and downs of a business 

• Strong emotional intelligence and work ethic: self-awareness, maturity, able to listen and take direction, deal with ambiguity with an open mind 

• Communication and reliability: mixes easily across a broad range of stakeholders 

• Attitude: enthusiastic, adaptable, loyal, positive   

• A learner: recognition that no one will have all the skill sets but have the appetite to learn, keep personally developing 

• Ability to work independently: a focus on safety 

• Physical fitness for outdoor, manual work 

• Mechanical aptitude 

• Current Australian C class manual driver’s licence with LR / HR preferred 

• Willingness to work in all weather conditions 

SKILLS/ QUALIFICATIONS

 The preferred skills required for the role are: 

• Significant experience operating machinery 

• Minimum five years 

• Tractors, skid steer’s, sprayers, slashers, dozers, UTV / ATVs 

• Mechanically minded, experience servicing equipment 

• Basic computer literacy and skills 

• GPS and mapping understanding 

• ChemCert accreditation (or willingness to obtain) 

• Background in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry 

• Excellent fencing skills 

• Excellent farm water delivery experience 

• Pipes pumps etc 

• Fencing