Name: Jo
Role Title: Native Biodiversity Officer – Wetland Planner
Location: DPI Tatura

Description of work undertaken:
Jo spends much of her time wading around in swamps monitoring wetlands for waterbugs, birds and plant species. She is also responsible for assisting in the writing of management plans to enhance and protect the biodiversity of wetlands within the Shepparton Irrigation Region.

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
As a Native Biodiversity Officer it is Jo's role to assist in the protection of wetlands within the Shepparton Irrigation Region. This includes working with stakeholders such as Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Field and Game Australia, Goulburn-Murray Water and landowners to ensure these areas are managed properly in order to protect biodiversity.

Future:
Jo would love to see more people become interested in Victoria's wetlands and help bring them back to their original states. She believes that too many wetlands have become degraded or lost. Over one third of Victoria's wetlands having disappeared since European settlement!

Background
Grew Up Where:
Jo grew up in Wodonga and around Mitta Mitta. Her interest in wetlands and especially water bugs came from wading in streams around the Mitta Mitta region with her Dad. In Jo’s own words "I loved it!"

STUDIES:
Tertiary /post secondary:
Jo completed a Bachelor of Biological Science at La Trobe University and majored in Zoology and Botany. She then completed her Honours in Botany, and is just about to complete a Masters in Entomology (studying bugs) through the University of Queensland.

Secondary:
Jo completed subjects such as Biology, Chemisty, Maths and English Literature.

Work experience:
Jo has had a wide range of work experience. She has worked as a Research Scientist in Phylloxera (a grapevine pest), an On Farm Trials Facilitator for Viticulture (Grapes), a Quarantine Officer for AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service), a Technical Assistant in Pasture Agronomy (testing plants for salt tolerance) and now a Native Biodiversity Officer.

Opportunities
Learning on job, new skills, etc.
Working with the Department of Primary Industries has allowed Jo to gain many new skills in different industries. For example she has learnt how to spur prune grapevines, identify bugs from overseas that are a huge threat to Australia, how wetlands work and how to write scientific journal articles.

Travel:
In her previous role as a Research Scientist, Jo was lucky enough to present her findings on experiments investigating Phylloxera in Germany. This allowed her to see how other international scientists work and think about this pest. It was very rewarding to be given this opportunity.

Advice to Students Now:
Students up to Year 10
Go for what you want, you can do anything or be anything! Talk to people about their experiences and find out what makes them excited about a career. Talk to your careers advisors so you know what path you have to follow to make your dream become real.

VCE students
Make sure you have a life when you are doing your VCE, it is important that you enjoy your time left with your school friends. University is a great place to go, however if you don’t think it's for you don't be pressured into going. It is not for everybody. Do what’s right for you!

Tertiary students
Cities are not the be all and end all when looking for a job. The country has great Research Institutions and other job opportunities that might suit you. Broaden your job search and be prepared to move anywhere!

Other:
What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
Some graduates went on with PhD's, some went on to do a Diploma of Education so they could teach Biological Science subjects, others became Scientists for the Department of Primary Industries, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Australian Quarantine Inspection Service and CSIRO.