Expression of Interest – Casual Telephone Interviewer - South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey
- Access flexible work-from-home opportunities that align with your availability.
- Join a distinguished research team dedicated to the sustainable management of marine resources.
Are you a confident communicator with an interest in recreational fishing and marine science? The Tasmanian Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies is seeking Expressions of Interest from enthusiastic individuals to join our team of Telephone Interviewers for the upcoming South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey. Successful applicants will be responsible for conducting high-quality data collection that underpins fisheries management.
TASMANIAN INSTITUTE FOR MARINE AND ANTARCTIC STUDIES (IMAS)
IMAS is a centre of excellence for marine and Antarctic research. Our research cuts across traditional scientific and social scientific boundaries. We are dedicated to enhancing environmental understanding and facilitating thoughtful and sustainable development for the benefit of Australia and the world. Our fisheries research supports the long-term sustainable harvest of wild marine resources.
OVERVIEW OF SURVEY
The South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey is being conducted on a state-wide basis, involving a large number of South Australian households. The survey is conducted at 5 year intervals to generate longitudinal insights into recreational fishing in South Australia. Information about peoples fishing practices including how often and how many people go fishing, in what regions, their fishing activities and their catch and success rates will be collected to assist in the sustainable management of these fisheries.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Telephone Interviewer, you will play a critical role in collecting fishing information from recreational fishers over a 12-month period starting 1 July 2026 followed by a brief attitudinal survey. Your primary responsibility will be to establish rapport with participants and collect accurate data regarding fishing participation, catch, and effort.
The role involves three key phases:
- Explanation interview: Once eligible households are identified via the screening survey (conducted by a market research company), they are mailed a survey kit containing a species identification guide and a diary card to be used as a "memory-jogger." You will then contact these participants in late June 2026 to walk them through the kit, explain the research requirements in detail, and obtain formal verbal consent to join the study
- Diary Survey: A 12-month longitudinal study starting July 2026 where you will contact eligible fishers regularly to record their fishing activity.
- Attitudinal Survey: A final phase measuring fisher awareness and opinions on management issues. This requires one additional survey call at the completion of the Diary Survey in July 2027.
INTERVIEWER TRAINING
Interviewer training will be conducted in Hobart over 2 days in mid-June 2026 (10am - 4pm). Immediately after this, interviewers will prepare for and commence the Explanation Interviews followed by the Diary Interviews. During the following 12 months, regular interviewer 'feedback' sessions will be held, culminating in a special briefing in Hobart in June 2027, for the Attitudinal Survey.
REMUNERATION
Appointment to this role will be at casual HEO level 2 with an hourly rate of $40.69 (inclusive of 25% loading).
Interviewers will be paid either on an 'actual hours' basis at $40.69 per hour (e.g. training courses) or on a ‘throughput’ basis (or 'per interview' rate) for the number of interviews conducted, based on $40.69 per hour. Interviewers will be appointed as casual employees of the University of Tasmania.
HOURS OF WORK
Depending on sample allocations, interviewers can expect around 16-18 hours work per month, spread over a relatively large number of days. Workload will be slightly higher at the beginning and end of the survey, with potentially higher interview calls rates during peak fishing times (ie. Easter and Christmas). By design, the Diary Survey requires that interviewers call at times suitable to respondents and for many, late afternoon/early evenings in the earlier part of the week are popular times. However, others will require calls to be made at other times/days (including weekends).
ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION
The following requirements have been determined for the position:
- Must own a phone and have the ability to work from home (in a private area/away from others)
- Must have a reliable home internet connection
- Must have a pleasant telephone manner and good communication skills. Although previous interviewing experience is not a requirement, more general experience in dealing with the public by telephone would be an advantage
- Must be reliable, with excellent organisational and clerical skills and comfortable with data entry into an electronic database.
- Completion of Year 10 schooling or higher.
- Must be able to work flexible hours of the day/early evening, including weekends/holidays from July 2026 through to August 2027
- Must be available to attend a 2-day training course in Hobart (10am-4pm) in June 2026 and June 2027
- Current working rights in Australia.
DESIRABLE
- Knowledge of recreational fishing practices and common fish species in South Australia.
Further information on the Survey process and interviewer expectations can be found in the Information Document below:
503011 - Casual Telephone Interviewer Information Document.pdf
HOW TO REGISTER
To express your interest, please submit the following:
- Cover letter (1–2 pages) outlining your communication experience and any knowledge of recreational fishing or South Australian geography.
- Resume.
ENQUIRIES
For further information about this Expression of Interest, please contact the survey management team at [email protected].