Waste Education 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 Waste Operations Branch plays a vital role in delivering Council’s Waste and Resource Management Program. The branch is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that reduce waste, improve recycling outcomes and support Council’s sustainability objectives. Working at the forefront of resource recovery, the branch partners with the community, industry and internal teams to create lasting environmental outcomes for the Sunshine Coast.

As the Waste Education Officer, you will lead and deliver engaging education and behaviour‑change initiatives that support sustainable waste management across the region. This role is key to improving recycling outcomes, reducing contamination and supporting major initiatives such as FOGO. It’s an exciting opportunity to combine environmental expertise, education and community engagement to make a real and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver waste education programs to schools, businesses and community groups
• Develop and implement annual waste education and engagement plans
• Coordinate contractors, campaigns and key environmental events
• Collaborate across Council to improve recycling and reduce contamination

About you

You’re passionate about sustainability and driven to inspire positive behaviour change through practical, engaging education programs.

You hold a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Waste and Resource Recovery, or a related discipline, with direct experience or exposure to waste and resource recovery education.

You’re a confident communicator with strong presentation and facilitation skills, capable of delivering structured lessons, workshops and community education initiatives to a wide range of audiences.

You’re a proactive and organised professional with proven project management skills, able to work independently while collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.

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.

Criminal History Check Required

Appointment to this position is subject to the satisfactory completion of a Criminal History Check.

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 Michael Grant during business hours on 0427 098 076.

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.