Naomi Cassilles Southgate
Townsville,QLD
Summary
I am a compassionate, dedicated and hardworking professional with experience across a range of roles in the Australian Public Service, State and Territory Government and local and Indigenous Land Councils. These roles have established and shaped my working values of strong work ethics, respect, and accountability. These values are underpinned by a diverse range of experience in environmental land management, planning and undertaking field trips, staff management, volunteer program coordination, event coordination and community and stakeholder engagement. My experience coupled with report writing, program management, grant assessment, project planning and knowledge of government processes, will make me a valuable member of your organisation. (personalise to organisation)
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Partnerships Officer – Bush Care
Ipswich City Council
11.2020 - Current
- As a Community Partnerships Officer, I facilitated all volunteer programs within the Environment and Sustainability Department, including the Ipswich Nature Centre, Queens Park Education Centre and Bushcare Program
- Upon returning from maternity leave, the role was split, which allowed me to focus specifically on the Bushcare program’s growth, while maintaining compliance with Council and Government policies and legislation
- My efforts, producing a significant increase in volunteer and community engagement and overall growth of the program
- I was awarded the General Managers award and Safety Champion award for my work developing this program
- Key responsibilities and achievements included:
- Doubled the number of volunteer bush care groups within the greater Ipswich area, who conducted weed management, erosion control, plantings and caring for native flora on Local Council reserves or green spaces
- Coordinated community tree planting events at active bush care sites
- Organising resources (tube stock, tools stakes, water etc), conducting Work Health and Safety assessments, event advertisement (Eventbrite) and additional community engagement activities
- Introduced a tool lending program, where Bushcare group members had access to hire essential tools required to conduct their land management work
- Supported Bushcare groups with administrative tasks such as program budgets, procurement and development of annual site plans, ensuring compliance with Council and Government regulations, policies, procedures and safety standards
- Managed over 100 regular volunteers, ensuing professional growth through regular training workshops and educational sessions
- Undertook periodic volunteer recruitment and onboarding process for new and existing volunteers
- Assisted with community engagement, such as newsletters, online platforms and social media
- Advised and collaborated with Council officers to foster community partnerships and enhance volunteer initiatives to strengthen Council programs and services
- A member of assessment panels assessing grant applications
Land Management Officer (AO 4) – External contractor (Hays Recruitment)
Ipswich City Council
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Within this role I conducted a desktop assessment, consolidating existing information on a Council-owned decommissioned coal mine used as a dry waste site
- The final paper identified the site’s environmental constraints, gaps in meeting data, policy and legislative requirements, and provided recommendations to Council for current and future direction
- Furthermore, I coordinated and planned activities across Council’s disturbed land network (mines and refuse sites) to ensure compliance with the Environment Protection Administration Directives and the Environmental Protection Act 1994
- Key responsibilities and achievements included:
- Developed a desktop assessment and recommendations paper to guide the direction and identify opportunities for a complex Council-owned site
- Presenting my findings and recommendations to Council’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
- Compiled briefs and executed directives from the ELT and Council
- Finalised end-of-financial-year projects related to environmental compliance, including managing budgets, financial monitoring and liaising with environmental consultants and internal Council staff
- Engaged specialised contractors to undertake site monitoring and enhancements
- Organised and facilitated meetings with internal stakeholders to discuss analysis, research findings, and planning strategies
- Processed procurement documentation and utilised purchasing software, including drafting scopes of work, managing requests for quotes and overseeing project budgeting
- Provided support to Council in response to ad hoc requests related to the management of disturbed land
- Assisted with the final stages of key events planning, including the Youth Sustainability Summit, Sustainability in the Suburbs, and Enviro Forum
Regional Land Management Officer (RLMO) (CL 6)
Central Land Council (CLC)
Tennant Creek , Australia
03.2018 - 07.2019
- Supported and advocated for the interests of Traditional Owners (TOs) regarding land use and management within the Tennant Creek sub-regions of the Central Land Council (CLC)
- Coordinated and managed natural resource projects and land rights matters
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements:
- Coordinated National Parks joint management projects, managing budgets, attendees, camping logistics and adherence to project timelines
- Facilitated meetings between TOs and CLC, as well as Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife staff, ensuring effective collaboration
- Managed project planning and procurement, providing strategic advice on land management
- Created and managed fortnightly reporting and annual work plans
- Planned and participated in environmental fieldwork and site inspections
- Prepared, submitted and adhered to Work Area Clearance applications
- Continued to provide interim support for the vacant Ranger Coordinator position
Ranger Coordinator – Muru-Warinyi Ankkul Rangers (CL 5)
Central Land Council (CLC)
Tennant Creek , Australia
03.2018 - 07.2019
- I coordinated, supervised, and supported the development of ten Aboriginal Rangers who make up the Muru-Warinyi Ankkul Ranger group
- The ranger group’s main role is to provide cultural and land management activities in the Tennant Creek designated CLC sub-region
- I worked closely with First Nations people, CLC staff, and external agencies to develop and enable completion of the annual work plan, while ensuring it aligned with TOs’ interests and complied with Federal Government funding requirements
- Key responsibilities and achievements included:
- Coordinated and delivered land management projects, including mitigation burns, waterway health monitoring, native and introduced fauna and flora surveys, weed control and fence maintenance
- Coordinated cultural projects and field trips in conjunction with TOs’ children, school and community groups
- Managed attendees, budgets, resources and logistics for regular overnight field work
- Coordinated and facilitated quarterly TO Advisory Committee meetings to review and plan rangers work plans
- Engaged and supported the local community, by hosting high school work experience students, student visits to the ranger workspace, and supporting activities as part of the town’s local festival
- Managed staff and supported skill development through training in data collection and storage, project debriefing, writing newsletter articles, project and team planning and presentation skills
- The rangers and I presented at both public and internal events
- Undertook human resource, administration duties and IT related activities, including managing staff attendance, induction, travel, compulsory training, staff performance appraisals, incident reports, procurement, and recruitment
- Provided weekly and annual reporting and completion of Workplans for 2018/19 and 2019/20
- Developed activity plans, educational tools, and quarterly newsletters
- Adhered to and reported on OH&S to ensure staff were supported and working in a safe environment
District Weeds Officer, Tennant Creek (P1)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Tennant Creek , Australia
07.2016 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: NT Government
- As one of two District Weeds Officers in Tennant Creek, I provided advice on declared weed management across the Barkly region, collaborating with land holders, including pastoralist's, State Government Agencies (namely NT Parks and Reserves), Aboriginal ranger groups, and government agencies to ensure compliance with the NT Weeds Management Act across local and remote areas
- My key responsibilities included upskilling landholders and community groups in the identification, control and their responsibilities of Declared Weeds
- I led weed controls projects with First Nations ranger groups, pastoralist's, community members, and coordinated inmate participation in eradication efforts, and site inspections
- I wrote articles, detailed site inspection files, briefing notes, departmental alerts, and developed educational materials
- I collected data points and mapped weeds using ArcGIS ESRI software
- Participated in broad scale planning meetings, with both local and state government
- Key achievements include presenting at the 2017 Territory Natural Resource Management conference, being nominated as the Austcover Young Landcare Leader award and receiving an award for the Best Government Stand at the Tennant Creek Show
- NT Government
Land Development Coordinator, Darwin (Acting AO6)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Darwin , Australia
01.2016 - 07.2016
- Company Overview: NT Government
- In the Land Development Coordinator role, I processed development and due diligence applications under the Planning Act 1999 (NT), assessed requests against legislation and regulations, coordinated timely responses from core business units to provide succinct technical advice on natural land resource management issues, and organised meetings with both departmental professionals and external agencies, including biweekly meetings with the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority
- NT Government
Water Scientist, Darwin (P1 Temporary Contract)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Darwin , Australia
03.2016 - 05.2016
- Company Overview: NT Government
- After completing the Science Graduate program, I was hired on a short contract to compile and analyse turbidity data from various sources in Darwin Harbour while assisting the team with field surveying
- A key achievement from this role was co-authoring the report titled "Interim Turbidity Water Quality Objectives for Dry Season Neap Tide Conditions in Darwin Harbour" (Cassilles Southgate, N
- And Fortune, J., 2018, Report No
- 5/2018D, Aquatic Health Unit, Water Resources Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Palmerston, NT)
- NT Government
Science Graduate Trainee, Darwin (T3)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Darwin , Australia
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: NT Government
- As part of the DENR Science Graduate program, I completed three rotations across the Weeds Management Branch (WMB), the Land and Vegetation Assessment Unit (L&VA), and the Water Monitoring Group (WMG)
- Key responsibilities and achievements included delivering a comprehensive audit report on the historic L&VA units, which justified a new temporary position for the team; compiling data and writing a report on the deployment and efficiency of atmospheric pressure instruments, leading to cost reductions; assessing development applications and providing technical advice on natural land resource management; offering field support for weed surveys, chemical trials, and control of terrestrial and aquatic weeds; assisting the Gamba Grass Assistance Program by distributing herbicide to local communities, compiling project data, and monitoring distribution; supporting Principal Land Resource Officers with land suitability assessments and field surveys for native flora and soil sampling; aiding the Principal Hydrographer with groundwater monitoring, including equipment calibration and water quality parameter downloads; and reviewing and critically analysing research papers and reports
- NT Government
Asset & Data Integration Technical Officer (TO3 Temporary Contract)
Parks and City Services, Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
, Australia
11.2013 - 12.2013
- Company Overview: ACT Government
- I was employed on a temporary contract to enhance urban mowing area datasets for the City Services of Canberra
- My key responsibility involved utilising ArcGIS ESRI software to accurately map and calculate urban mowing areas in Northern Canberra
- The improved maps and data were successfully implemented, resulting in reduced costs associated with the mowing contract, and is still used today
- ACT Government
Grants and Rebate Assessment Officer
Department of Climate Change, Energy and Efficiency
Canberra , Australia
06.2009 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: Federal Government, Canberra
- As a Grants and Rebate Assessment Officer across various teams, I worked on multiple energy efficiency rebate and grant programs, including the National Solar Schools Program (NSSP), the Solar Homes and Communities Program (SHCP), and the Solar Hot Water Rebate Program (SHWR), while studying full-time
- My key responsibilities and achievements included developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures for the SHWR program, contributing to its closure plan and successful completion; overseeing the SHWR program team’s hotline to liaise with external stakeholders and provide support to applicants and installers; training and mentoring new staff to ensure consistent program delivery and service standards; and processing acquittals for the NSSP, collaborating with external contractors and schools to meet grant requirements
- Federal Government, Canberra
Education
Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science -
Charles Darwin University
01.2020
Certificate IV in Government Investigations -
Charles Darwin University
01.2016
Bachelor of Environmental Science -
University of Canberra
01.2014
Diploma in Ecology and Environmental Management -
Canberra Institute of Technology
01.2011
Skills
- Event Planning
- Technical report writing
- Project Management
- Community Relations
- Government relations
- Volunteer Coordination
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Logistics Management
Trainingandcertificates
- Provide First Aid, 2022
- Remote Pilot License (RePL), 2019
- Fire Fighting Training, FF1, 2016
- Drive and Recover 4WD Vehicle, 2015 & 2018
- Dealing with Confrontation in Operational Situations Training Course, 2016
- Smart Train Chemical User Accreditation, 2015
Community Service
- Current volunteer, Parents for Climate Change, Townsville
- Current committee member, Mike Reynolds Early Childhood Centre, Townsville
- Secretary, treasurer, and committee member, Tennant Creek Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, 2016 – 2019
References
Not Provided
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Community Partnerships Officer – Bush Care
Ipswich City Council
11.2020 - Current
Land Management Officer (AO 4) – External contractor (Hays Recruitment)
Ipswich City Council
01.2020 - 12.2020
Regional Land Management Officer (RLMO) (CL 6)
Central Land Council (CLC)
03.2018 - 07.2019
Ranger Coordinator – Muru-Warinyi Ankkul Rangers (CL 5)
Central Land Council (CLC)
03.2018 - 07.2019
District Weeds Officer, Tennant Creek (P1)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
07.2016 - 03.2018
Water Scientist, Darwin (P1 Temporary Contract)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
03.2016 - 05.2016
Land Development Coordinator, Darwin (Acting AO6)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
01.2016 - 07.2016
Science Graduate Trainee, Darwin (T3)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
01.2015 - 01.2016
Asset & Data Integration Technical Officer (TO3 Temporary Contract)
Parks and City Services, Territory and Municipal Services Directorate
11.2013 - 12.2013
Grants and Rebate Assessment Officer
Department of Climate Change, Energy and Efficiency
06.2009 - 12.2012
Graduate Certificate of Spatial Science -
Charles Darwin University
Certificate IV in Government Investigations -
Charles Darwin University
Bachelor of Environmental Science -
University of Canberra
Diploma in Ecology and Environmental Management -
Canberra Institute of Technology
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