Melanie Johnson
Ballina,NSW
Summary
I am passionate about conserving our natural environment and have a keen understanding of our social-ecological systems. I have experience in marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation, geospatial analytics and data analysis, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring. I am enthusiastic and eager to work with a diverse range of people. I contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent time management skills. I am skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to achieve the best possible outcome. I have a history of meeting organizational goals and I am motivated to learn, grow, and excel in the environmental field.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Project Officer
The University of Queensland
, QLD
11.2023 - Current
- I am the environmental data project officer for the WWF GEF 7 Coral Reef Rescue: Resilient Reefs, Resilient Communities project.
- I am responsible for delivering Outcome 1.2 – the development of a global climate refuge coral reef monitoring system.
- I work closely with stakeholders within the project countries (Indonesia, Fiji, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, and Madagascar) from public and private sectors. I have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a culturally diverse team of colleagues and stakeholders, across multiple countries and time zones.
- The main aim of my role is to create a monitoring system that translates complex scientific information into a practical and useable format, targeting people without a scientific background.
- The public-facing dashboard will provide users with the ecological and socio-economic data needed to make evidence-based decisions about marine conservation issues.
- I have delivered a needs assessment survey in multiple languages (using AI translation software) to inform the development of a coral reef and climate data platform tailored to each countries’ specific needs.
- I also assist in other project areas when required, including the development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for coral reef ecology.
Environmental Scientist - Flora and Fauna (Grad)
Ballina Shire Council
Ballina, NSW
09.2022 - Current
- In this role I am exposed to a variety of wildlife management programs, including threatened species and pest species. A significant component of my work involves the management of the endangered koala.
- My current projects include shire-wide koala population monitoring, Threatened Ecological Community vegetation mapping, designing and implementing educative koala displays, mapping koala habitat, mapping potential habitat restoration sites, grant applications and koala vehicle strike mitigation.
- Additional projects include the development of a Biodiversity Development Control Plan chapter, flying-fox monitoring, creating species profiles for native flora and fauna, and other actions guided by Council’s Biodiversity Strategy.
- I am also responsible for providing ecological advice on Development Assessments and working with internal and external stakeholders to achieve best possible outcomes for biodiversity.
- I liaise with various external stakeholders including other local governments, landowners, NGOs, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and State Government.
- I provide koala spotter training to field staff and have implemented a rewards scheme for sightings reports.
- I have been trained to enter restoration data into the Atlas of Living Australia Restoration Hub and I am currently auditing Council’s environmental data and developing a data management strategy.
- I use Council's commercial drone for environmental monitoring and site surveys, including volumetric quarry surveys, vegetation rehabilitation assessments and flora and fauna surveys.
Marine Mammal Rescue Team
Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA)
Ballina, NSW
02.2022 - Current
- I am trained in seal, whale, dolphin, and dugong rescue and have been certified as a marine mammal rescuer through ORRCA.
- I have attended multiple rescues on behalf of ORRCA, including the stranding of a strap-toothed whale at Lennox Head.
- I was responsible for liaising with regional coordinator and collecting scientific data from the animal, including measurements, observations, and photographs.
- I also assisted the Ballina Shire Council in the recovery of the whale and collected additional data at the Waste Centre after the whale was transported there.
- I complied with PPE requirements, in particular the use of a mask and gloves, when handling the deceased animal.
Geospatial Analyst
Ballina Shire Council
Ballina, NSW
11.2019 - 04.2023
- I have advanced experience using a range of GIS software for data analysis, across a wide variety of projects.
- I have extensive experience managing and maintaining a large, multisource database of environmental data.
- My role focused on environmental data management, with projects including bushfire prone land mapping, Koala Management Plans, and vegetation mapping.
- I conducted scientific research on erosion risk monitoring and used the UAV to test and develop a methodology for monitoring erosion in the Richmond River with remote sensing.
- The Conservation Zoning of Ballina Shire was a major project that I worked on for multiple years.
- I frequently engaged a range of stakeholders to meet project goals and provided training on GIS applications.
- I wrote and updated data management procedures.
- I produced compelling maps which are easy to interpret for people with no scientific background.
- I used Council’s commercial drone to survey for compliance, erosion monitoring, development assessments, vegetation inspections, terrain mapping and modelling of hydrological flows, and videography.
- I always followed WHS procedures in the field and implemented risk management strategies when planning and executing UAV missions.
- I was being trained for the role of chief pilot and currently co-manage the drone workload and projects.
Coordinator Evacuation Centre Supply Hub
Ballina Shire Council
Lennox Head Cultural Centre, NSW
03.2022 - 03.2022
- I coordinated the delivery of food and supplies to flood effected areas from a central supply hub and managed the kitchen which fed evacuees living at the centre.
- I managed a team of volunteers and rosters, evaluating volunteers' strengths and assigning tasks based on experience and training.
- I worked within tight deadlines and a fast-paced atmosphere, accomplishing multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- I always demonstrated respect, friendliness, and a willingness to help wherever needed.
- I quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- I maintained energy and enthusiasm, especially when faced with challenging situations.
- I used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, make decisions, and improve existing operations.
- I worked flexible hours, in the evening and on the weekend.
Research Assistant
Kristineberg Marine Research Station
, Sweden
01.2019 - 03.2019
- I worked with the seagrass research team at the Kristineberg Marine Research Station in Sweden.
- I was responsible for developing a methodology to map seagrass communities from drone imagery with object-based image analysis, facilitated by eCognition Developer.
- This was a new area of research and had limited reference studies.
- Through trial-and-error I overcame the challenge and developed a new methodology.
- On the completion of my thesis, I was offered a job as a Research Assistant at Kristineberg Marine Research Station.
Research Assistant
Marine Mammal Foundation
Melbourne, VIC
06.2018 - 11.2018
- During my internship I undertook important geospatial mapping of the distribution and behaviour of the critically endangered Gippsland Lakes Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis).
- I was involved in numerous boat-based surveys, with a small team of 3-4 people on a research vessel in Port Phillip Bay. We used a zig-zag transect survey method to collect population and behavioural data.
- My responsibilities involved spotting and counting dolphins, taking dorsal fin photographs and underwater footage, recording behavioural observations, GPS location, and environmental data.
- I worked under scientific and ethics permit conditions for cetaceans when collecting data in the field.
- I sorted and compiled field data, transcribed behavioural observations and finalised an accurate GIS dataset.
- I wrote a report on the Gippsland Lakes Burrunan dolphin behaviour and distribution, integrating research and field data. I created a series of maps to support my claims and was awarded a High Distinction for my work.
- I carried on as a weekly volunteer and assisted in campaigning and delivering educational events to the community.
- Since my time with the MMF, the data I collected contributed to the species being listed in October 2021 as ‘Critically endangered’ under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Education
Masters of Conservation Biology -
Macquarie University
Sydney, NSW12-2022
Certificate 3 in Aviation (Remote Pilot) -
TAFE NSW
Wollongbar, NSW09-2020
Bachelor of Environment And Society -
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Melbourne, VIC12-2019
Skills
- Teamwork
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Creativity
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Project Management
- Scientific Research
- Wildlife Conservation
- GIS & Remote Sensing
- Data Collection & Analysis
- Database Management
- Stakeholder Engagement and Training
Achievements
Team Innovation Award Nomination – August 2023
Issued by the Ballina Shire Council for ‘Wardell District One Year On Event – Working Together’.
Team Innovation Award Nomination – Jun 2022
Issued by the Ballina Shire Council for ‘Flood Recovery and Response – Working Together’.
Acknowledgement of Excellence – Dec 2021
Issued by Macquarie University for my excellent performance and High Distinction result in Climate Change Biology: Impacts and Adaptation.
You've Been Noticed Nominee – Nov 2021
Issued by the Ballina Shire Council for my Conservation Zoning Project work.
You've Been Noticed Award – Feb 2020
Issued by Ballina Shire Council for 'delivering a new methodology in identifying bushfire prone land for the RFS as part of Council's new planning strategy'.
Other Achievements:
- Graduated from a Bachelor of Environment and Society with Distinction
- Completed a study abroad semester in Gothenburg, Sweden (2019)
- Achieved an Australian tertiary admission rank (ATAR) of 98.3
- Henry Jones Art Prize finalist (2018)
- RACT Tasmanian Portraiture Prize finalist (2015)
- Ipswich Poetry Feast finalist (2015)
Certification
Surfers Rescue 24/7 Certificate – Board Rescue Techniques and Nationally Recognised CPR
Issued by Surfing NSW | Sep 2022
PADI Open Water Diver
Issued by PADI – License No. 2205AT3498 | May 2022
Marine Mammal Rescue Certification
Issued by ORRCA – License No. 4135 | Feb 2022
Remote Pilot License (RePL)
Issued by the Civil Aviation Authority – Licence No. 1097728 | Sep 2020
Unrestricted Manual Driver License (Current)
NSW Roads and Maritime Service – License No. 23642017
Motor Boat License (Current)
Marine and safety Tasmania – License No. 144027
Courses
Remote Sensing and Mapping for Coral Reef Conservation
The Nature Conservancy Caribbean, Online | February 2024
SAT Survey Training
Friends of the Koala/Byron Shire Council, Lismore | Jul 2023
Introduction to Cloud Computing
TAFE NSW, Online | Jul 2023
Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Training for Local Government
NSW Government, Online | Jun 2023
Plant ID Workshop
Bushland Restoration Services, Ballina | Mar 2023
Coastal Resilience Short Course – Level I
Griffith University, Gold Coast | May 2022
FME Desktop Introduction
Issued by Chartis Technology, Online | May 2021
Community Service
Drone Manager – All Girls Surfriders
Lennox Head, NSW | Jan 2023 – Ongoing (monthly)
Five Loaves Ballina – Mobile Soup Kitchen
Ballina, NSW | Feb 2023 – Ongoing (weekly)
Northern Rivers Animal Service
Ballina, NSW | Aug 2023 - Ongoing (weekly)
Flood Recovery Clean-up
Lismore and Pimlico, NSW | Feb 2022
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Principal Project Officer
The University of Queensland
11.2023 - Current
Environmental Scientist - Flora and Fauna (Grad)
Ballina Shire Council
09.2022 - Current
Coordinator Evacuation Centre Supply Hub
Ballina Shire Council
03.2022 - 03.2022
Marine Mammal Rescue Team
Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA)
02.2022 - Current
Geospatial Analyst
Ballina Shire Council
11.2019 - 04.2023
Research Assistant
Kristineberg Marine Research Station
01.2019 - 03.2019
Research Assistant
Marine Mammal Foundation
06.2018 - 11.2018
Masters of Conservation Biology -
Macquarie University
Certificate 3 in Aviation (Remote Pilot) -
TAFE NSW
Bachelor of Environment And Society -
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Similar Profiles
Leah GollandLeah Golland
Senior Admissions Officer at The University of QueenslandSenior Admissions Officer at The University of Queensland
Yifan BaoYifan Bao
PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering at The University of QueenslandPhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland
Lingchen LiuLingchen Liu
PhD Research(Medical Genomics Group - Nic Waddell) at The University of QueenslandPhD Research(Medical Genomics Group - Nic Waddell) at The University of Queensland
Zhihao QiaoZhihao Qiao
Mathematics Tutor at The University of QueenslandMathematics Tutor at The University of Queensland
Isabel Romero HolstIsabel Romero Holst
Founder and Environmental Educator at MINGAS POR EL MAR FOUNDATIONFounder and Environmental Educator at MINGAS POR EL MAR FOUNDATION