Expressions of Interest Sought for TVE Officers

Position Title: Technical, Viticultural, and Extension (TVE) Officers (Contractors)
Location: Limestone Coast, SA
Contract Duration: All of this work we expect to conduct or commission between March 2026 and December 2026, with renewal or expansion of contract possible into 2027.
Time Commitment: Variable, between 20 and 65 hours per month (for one candidate or shared between two candidates), with tasks not ordinarily expected to take up whole days, and flexibility/planning possible well in advance for key tasks.
Funding and Remuneration: The LCGWC will be billed at an hourly rate for authorised work at an agreed-upon rate for non-commercial activities that is in line with industry standards.
Closing Date: Friday 27 February 2026.
Submission Format: Cover letter (max 2 pages) addressing the selection criteria, plus CV and two referees.

Role Overview

The Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council is seeking one or two contractors to lead and deliver technical engagement activities across the Limestone Coast, and to provide advice and support to existing committees and initiatives of the association. This work is not-for-profit and funded entirely through external Commonwealth grants in order to execute research and engagement.  

A large part of the role/roles will concern the adoption and extension of existing and planned research projects in the Wine Australia Regional Program. This will involve help with the delivery of these initiatives while also identifying scope for expanding them or developing new projects that concern soil moisture, soil health, irrigated viticulture, water resource management in wineries and vineyards, agtech (especially weather technology), drought-tolerant rootstock trials, and crossovers within the wider horticulture industry.

A key background focus of the role/roles will be to identify connections between short-term challenges and medium-to-longer term goals when it comes to preparing the grape and wine sector for climate variability (rainfall, temperature, etc.) and the need to manage water resources effectively across the Limestone Coast.

The role/roles will facilitate workshops, broker relationships between growers and researchers, engage with appropriate third-parties, and support the uptake of best-practice innovations, identifying impact and outcomes beyond development and adoption, while also scanning the horizon for future opportunities in R&D and rollout.

The role/roles will also contribute to future strategic planning, helping the Council shape long-term priorities around environmental sustainability, technical capacity, and regional coordination.

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan and deliver workshops, field days, and technical forums focused on water use and sustainability in viticulture and winemaking;
  • Provide advice and delivery support to the Technical and Biosecurity Subcommittee and the Water Subcommittee of the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council;
  • Engage researchers, growers, agricultural businesses, and industry bodies to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange;
  • Translate technical findings into accessible formats for producers, council stakeholders, and the Executive Officer;
  • Follow-up with industry stakeholders on key projects and initiatives of the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council, looping in the Executive Officer; 
  • Work with the Executive Officer to ensure that all reporting obligations, record-keeping, and accounting formalities are executed on time, and in line with our own procedures and meeting the expectations of third parties;
  • Work with the Executive Officer to engage growers and identify new strategies to increase awareness around adaptability to variations in climate;
  • Work with the Chair of the Technical and Biosecurity Subcommittee and the Executive Officer to develop a plan to consult the grapegrowing and winemaking sectors in the Limestone Coast during 2026 for the purposes of constructing a new five-year plan for Regional Program funding;
  • Begin work to propose additions and amendments to fact sheets and data similar to the kind produced in Unearthing Viticulture, emphasising rainfall and temperature variability and to include forecasting around climate variability into the future.

Selection Criteria

Please address the following criteria in your EOI:

  1. Technical Industry Knowledge
    Demonstrated understanding of vineyard and winery operations, with an understanding of groundwater management, irrigation systems, wastewater issues, soil probes, weather sensors, and wider sustainability challenges in the sector;
  2. Regional Experience and Networks
    Intimate knowledge of each of the viticultural regions that make up the Limestone Coast GI, demonstrable through recent and/or ongoing research activities and/or professional viticultural experience in the sector, with collegial connections and contacts in neighbouring agricultural sectors;
  3. Workshop Facilitation and Stakeholder Engagement
    Experience planning and delivering technical workshops, forums, or field days, and the strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage growers, researchers, and council representatives.
  4. Knowledge Translation and Communication
    Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, practical formats, including presentations, briefing notes, reporting to funding bodies, and workshop materials.
  5. Strategic Planning and Sector Insight
    Proven ability to contribute to strategic planning processes, with awareness of long-term challenges and opportunities in the wine and grape sector, including climate adaptation, resource efficiency, and innovation pathways.
  6. Project Coordination and Delivery
    Experience managing timelines, logistics, and stakeholder communications. Familiarity with digital tools for scheduling, reporting, and engagement.
  7. Contractor Requirements
    Possession of an ABN, relevant insurance (public liability and professional indemnity), and capacity to travel within the region. Where candidates are notindependent contractors and consultants, and are instead currently employed by an established agricultural business, a letter from senior management, along with certain other details, may be requested at a later stage.

For any queries about the role, or to submit your cover letter and CV, please address Dr Edward Cavanagh, Executive Officer, eo@limestonecoastwine.com.au.