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Michael Trebilcock

Year of Graduation: 2003
Current Employer: Department for Environment and Heritage, Government of South Australia
Current Job Title: Ranger, Western Fleurieu
Honours: No
Most memorable experience on the degree program:
The greatest highlight was the Park Management Field Study course: we travelled to Tasmania for two weeks. We visited West Coast Tasmanian Wilderness areas and I was fortunate to go hiking in the snow in very scenic destinations such as Cradle Mountain. I saw lots of wildlife, including a Tasmanian Devil. I also saw places of significance that have shaped Australia's environmental policies such as Lake Pedder.

How has your degree helped you in your current job?
My degree provided me with a good body of knowledge of natural resource management techniques, which I do draw on in my daily duties.

What do you do on a daily basis?
A variety of tasks including:

Park visitor management (providing information on camping etc, advising of rules),

• Park patrols
• Law enforcement
• Emergency response (search and rescue, fires)
• Wildlife management (surveys, issue of permits, destruction of injured animals)
• Pest plant and animal management (baiting, weed spraying)
• Supervising volunteers, staff, and contractors
• Liaise with other agencies, e.g. CFS, Friends of Parks, threatened species groups, school groups
• Financial delegations (purchasing assets, budgeting)
• Park asset maintenance (fixing fences, signs, picking up rubbish and cleaning toilets! etc)
• Park planning (designing facilities etc)
• Administrative work
• Attend meetings (there are many!)

What do you enjoy most?
The variety and challenge of the work and working in an unspoilt area with lots of wildlife - there are always kangaroos grazing just outside my office window!

What helped you get this position?
Volunteering to gain as much practical experience as possible during the semester breaks whilst studying at University
 

Questions about Progression:

How many positions have you had since graduation?
I’ve had 5 positions: Seasonal Fire Prevention Worker based at Black Hill Conservation Park for two summers, Short-term contracts as a Ranger based at Black Hill Conservation Park, Lameroo, and Belair National Park, and now my current permanent position at Deep Creek Conservation Park.

Can you describe your first recruitment process?
Ranger positions are advertised in order to recruit a 'pool' of people that can be called upon to fill Ranger vacancies as they arise. The advertisement asks for an application addressing the job and person specifications for the position and also a current Resume. Generally, three people are on the interview panel and they ask scenario-based questions relating to park management.

What was your first week like in your first job?
Overwhelming but exciting at the same time!

How structured was your training and what did it cover?
Training is individually structured for every person in my organisation, and we regularly attend various training courses to increase our qualifications. There is also a lot of on-the-job learning in our daily tasks.

What advice can you give to students currently studying?
Participate in as much and varied volunteer work as you can afford to build up your practical experiences.
 

 

 

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