Name: Tim 
Role Title: Catchment Environment Officer
Location: DNRE Tatura; his work covers the Rochester Irrigation Region

Description of work undertaken: 
Tim's job involves environmental assessments which require a lot of field work and looking at plants and animals. The aim of his project is to work with landholders and farmers to protect and enhance environmental features. 

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
Tim works in Environmental Management, which is a part of the 'Sustainable Irrigated Agricultural Land Management' team.

Future? 
Tim would like to work in Biodiversity species management.

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where? 
Tim grew up in Moama, New South Wales on a dryland beef farm with approximately 800 hectares of bushland attached to it. His love of the bushland led him to a career in environmental management.

Course(s) studied: 
Tertiary /post secondary:
Tim began a degree in Agricultural Science, and after two years he went on to an Associate Diploma of Applied Science (Resource Management) at the School of Mines and Industries, Ballarat. He later articulated this into a degree, at Dookie College (Melbourne Uni), in Natural Resource Management. 

Secondary: 
Tim did a science / arts stream which left his options open for Uni courses.

Work experience: 
Tim worked for the Department of Conservation and Environment on the wetland at Kerang. He worked at the Grampians as a volunteer ranger (an interpretation officer) and also at Castlemaine for 14 weeks on a management plan for the removal of feral species from a local state park.

OPPORTUNITIES: 
Further study: 
Tim is considering a Masters degree in Environmental Science, looking at water and planning regulations.

Learning on job, new skills, etc. 
Tim has learnt a lot and believes 'on the job' training for the first 6 months of any job is a great learning experience. The Department, (NRE) also offers quite a lot of training, which is a really good aspect of the job, and an incentive to stay with the department.

Travel, etc.
One aspect of his work is fire management, which takes him all over the state during summer periods. The training is away from the workplace and Tim goes to seminars and conferences across the state.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW: 
Experience is so important as it is a key employment criteria. When applying for any job, experience in any field can be used. It took a long time for Tim to get the type of job he really wanted, but once your 'foot is in the door' in an organisation as large as DNRE it can take you a lot of places.

OTHER: 
What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
Lands Victoria planning officer, Fisheries and Wildlife Officer, Website developer, contractor to Vic Roads for revegetation and studies on a type of frog.