What’s your job about?
I work in the Risk & Evaluation team in Gippsland. We analyse data to try and understand bushfire risk and what we should do about it. This involves generating strategies to address bushfire risk in a way that manages the needs of humans and ecosystems, connecting these strategies to the work we do on the ground, and measuring how effective they’ve been once they’re implemented. On a day-to-day basis, this means lots of time trying to make sense of big data using Excel, ArcGIS and other programs.
What is your background?
I studied a Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, then a Master of Environment at the University of Melbourne. I worked for 6 months at an awesome not-for-profit called Open Food Network before starting in the grad program.
Could someone from a different academic/skills background do your job?
Definitely! I didn’t know much about forests or fires before starting at DEECA. I think it’s important to have a general understanding of some of the big picture environmental concepts (how ecosystems work, climate change, etc.) but you don’t need subject matter or technical expertise to join the grad program. Just a drive to understand how things work, and solve problems in ways that will create the best outcomes for the environment and communities.
What is the coolest thing about your job?
I love all the big complex problems we get to grapple with on a daily basis - I feel like my brain is stretching and growing every day! And it’s such a privilege to contribute to managing Victoria’s incredible landscapes as best as we can.
What are the limitations of your job?
I think almost every person at DEECA wishes they could be outside more, doing more fieldwork. I spend about 95% of my time in front of a screen, which is definitely a downside of my role.
Three pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student.