Natural Areas Project Officer

Why work with us?

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to shape our region for the future – you’ll want to join our team!

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region -Connected. Liveable. Thriving, our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

 The Environmental Operations Branch is responsible for the preservation, management and enhancement of council’s diverse range of environmental and recreational assets and in partnership with our community, the rich biodiversity of the region’s landscapes. The branch plays an active role within council, liaising with other units, as well as with the community to maintain and deliver high quality environmental outcomes.

As a Natural Areas Project Officer, you’ll play a key role in:

• Administer, supervise, inspect, audit and report on contractor operations to ensure compliance with legislation, agreed service levels, contract KPIs, industry standards and quality of work being carried out.
• Develop site specific work instructions to direct contractor delivery of scheduled maintenance and project work across council’s Environment Reserve network, using existing systems and resources such as work plans and Bushland Operational Assessments.
• Negotiate positive business outcomes through both verbal and written communications with contractors and internal stakeholders in relation to the Environment Reserve network, performance management, workplace health and safety standards.
• Assist in planning and delivery of operational programs including National Tree Day, Community Group activities and events.
• Allocate and monitor expenditure within program, approval of invoices and tracking financial records.
• Participate in council’s Bushfire Management Program including planned burn operations and wildfire response

About you

 To succeed in this role, you will:

• Demonstrated experience in natural area management including high level botanical knowledge and ecological restoration theory and practice (qualifications highly regarded).
• A current unrestricted QLD Class ‘C’ Driver’s Licence.
• ACDC Licence, Chainsaw Operators Licence, and Fire Crew training.

Pre-Employment Medical Required?

Essential to your success is physical agility and the level of fitness, strength and dexterity to carry out labouring and frequent heavy lifting & bending. As such, appointment to this position is subject to completion of a pre-employment medical assessment.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer a number of different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work, therefore we offer flexible working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model that help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing this criteria;

and

• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2025-2030.

For specific enquiries contact Peter Dellow during business hours on 0439 698 330.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [email protected].

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.