Name: Natalie 
Role Title: Irrigation and Drainage Officer
Location: DNRE, Tatura

Description of work undertaken:  Natalie is working with community drainage groups to facilitate drainage schemes in the irrigation area. She processes community surface drainage and whole farm plan grants which involve field visits with landholders, group meetings, writing newsletters and circulating minutes. She also has a project management role which involves coordination of drainage programs, and to do this she works closely with contractors, agency staff and the local community. Natalie particularly enjoys field visits and talking to landholders about sustainable agricultural practices with a focus on regional drainage.

Natalie is enthusiastic about working with community groups that are keen on reducing salinity and making their properties more sustainable

She also really enjoys working with farmers to develop whole farm plans. She is enthusiastic about working with community groups that are keen on reducing salinity and making their properties more sustainable. 

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
Natalie is responsible for three community drainage groups, including one new group and (at time of interview)  is also  involved with two whole farm plans.

Future? 
Natalie has been in her current job for nine months and feels she still has a lot to learn from it. She would be interested in moving into Catchment Management eventually.

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where? 
Natalie grew up in Melbourne. She finished study at Deakin, then applied for a whole range of jobs with an environmental and/or agricultural focus. She was successful in getting her current job, which involves both areas of interest.

Course(s) studied: 
Tertiary /post secondary:
Bachelor of Science (Aquatic) at Deakin University in Warrnambool.

Secondary: 
During secondary school Natalie studied Biology, Math Methods and Information Technology, which all helped her get into her Uni course. In retrospect, wishes she had studied Chemistry also, as it would have made her course a bit easier.

Work experience: 
Natalie did a wide range of related work experience. She worked as a volunteer with Coast Action/Coast Care as Summer Activities Leader and took groups of kids out on rock pool rambles, coastal walks, and art/craft activities. Natalie was also the Deakin Uni Environment Club Treasurer. She was involved in Waterwatch  testing waterways and recording data. Natalie also did one month's work experience as a research assistant with CSIRO (Queensland) in her last year of Uni, working in the Prawn research division. This involved a lot of microscope work, identification of invertebrates, data entry and analysis. She has been involved with Landcare and several Environment Groups.

OPPORTUNITIES: 
Further study: 
Natalie would like to complete Honours.

Learning on job, new skills, etc. 
Natalie has gained a lot of new skills and experiences through her current work and says that  within DNRE you have the opportunity to get experience in different fields. Natalie has done short courses, such as 'Effective Public Speaking', 'Conducting Better Meetings', and 'Extension Skills and Practices'. 

Travel, etc.
Natalie travels around the Shepparton area in her daily work.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW: 
Tertiary students
Natalie's advice is to get as much work experience as you can. You learn a lot at Uni, however doing extra volunteer work and work experience can give you extra skills and allow you to develop practical 'on-the-job' experience. Volunteer work gives you a better understanding of the industry and may allow you to develop useful contacts. It is also a good idea to talk to people who are already in the industry that you are interested in getting into.