Native seed technican

About the role

Swainsona Seed Services Pty. Ltd. (SSS) is a small environmental business based in Totness (Mount Barker) that specialises in bulk native seed supply, native seed quality testing and seed biology research with major clients in the mining revegetation and carbon reforestation sectors in SA, NSW and VIC. We are seeking people to join our small team who are looking for casual work and are keen to gain experience in the environmental industry, especially with a focus on revegetation work.

Key responsibilities

• Bulk seed collecting in regional SA and NSW

• Seed cleaning at the Totness warehouse

• Seed testing

• Work away 4-5 days a week, with potential for some longer 7-12 day trips

• Work long hours (10-12hr days) during seed collecting, often in hot (30°C-40°C), dry and dusty conditions

• Work flexible days and hours (usually 9-5pm, 7.5hr day) during seed cleaning or seed testing

• Wear dust masks on a daily basis when seed cleaning

By joining our team you will receive:

·         On the job training

·         Above award hourly wage

·         Bonus rate for seed collection productivity. This means that if you are highly driven, fast and efficient worker, you will be rewarded well for your efforts.

The base wage will be determined based on your experiences, skills and qualifications

About you:

To be successful for the role you must:

• Be capable of immediate start

• Be capable of regularly working in dusty, dirty conditions

• Capable of regularly working away for multiple nights most weeks

• Be physically fit, capable of repeated lifting 5~10kg, without knee, wrist, arm or back issues that would limit your ability to carry out repetitive and very physical work

• Be willing and capable of working 10-12 hour days in the outdoors, including in very hot conditions, with self-awareness and self-management of fatigue or heat stress

• Be reliable, self-motivated, positive, with a can-do attitude

• Be able to work within a very small team, and/or individually

• Have a focus on quality and safety, with situational awareness and the ability to analyse and pre-empt problems

• Have the ability to pass a medical, including drug screen (required if/when working at mine sites)

The following attributes will be preferred, but not essential:

• Have a C class drivers license, adept with manual 4wds and have own transport to/from Totness

• Be currently studying or have a TAFE qualification in Environment/Conservation and Land Management (similar relevant experience/qualifications also acceptable)

• Experience collecting and cleaning bulk native seed

• Basic knowledge of arid and semi-arid native species

• First aid and white card accreditation

• Four-wheel drive/off road experience

• Enjoy and experienced in remote travel/camping

If you are an experienced seed collector, especially with arid/semi arid experience and/or have field team leadership experience (organising/supervising team in the field) we are also looking for options for annual seasonal team leaders to join our team (Spring-Summer), with longer-term work also on offer, depending on your skills and ability in conducting other activities such as seed testing and vegetation monitoring & report writing.

If you are interested in applying please submit your resume (including a photograph of applicant), and a cover letter ASAP addressing your suitability to the role and availability to *********@swainsonaseedservices.com.au.

Applications close Sun 13th September, unless suitable applicants found prior to closing date.

Please email or call Alice Quarmby on 0438 453 *** (9am-6pm M-Fri) if you have any specific questions ahead of applying.