Noosa Council is committed to our valued employees and we celebrate diversity, health and well-being, work life balance and career progression. Come and join our supportive and progressive team as we deliver on our vision:

“Noosa Shire – different by nature”

The Opportunity

A rare opportunity exists to join one of Australia’s leading environmental local governments to lead the conservation and environmental planning programs within the shire.

Noosa Shire has a well-deserved international reputation for conservation and environmental sustainability spanning many decades of forward planning and commitment from the Council and community. This role is critical to lead current programs and initiate new programs that will build on this legacy.

The role will lead a small expert team to deliver Noosa Council’s objectives for threatened species management, private land conservation, land acquisitions and environmental planning advice. The position has strong interactions with other departments and branches within Council and will provide strategic and technical advice across a broad range of projects relating to the role.

The successful applicant will have a strong record of driving initiatives and strategies to address current and emerging issues and will be a strong advocate for conservation within Council, the community and across the other levels of government.

The Noosa Council Environment Team has a vibrant culture of support and passion for our work and the successful applicant will contribute to the strong team values.

Vacancy Details

• Position Status: Permanent Full-Time  
• Department: Strategy and Environment 
• Branch: Environmental Services 
• Advertised: Internal and External 
• Position Remuneration: Level 7.1 ($108,063 base annual salary) / ($122,659 total remuneration package which is based on a permanent full-time employee and inclusive of 12% employer superannuation and 17.5% leave loading)

About You

As the Coordinator Conservation and Environment, you will have the demonstrated leadership skills and high-level ability to support, mentor and guide others.

You will have sound knowledge of natural ecosystems of the Noosa Shire, including a good understanding of the major issues and threatening processes impacting on environmental values of the Noosa Shire. 

Further but not limited to, you will have high level expert knowledge of government policies, strategies and legislation and their application to the conservation and protection of the natural environment.

The position's focus will be:

• To provide leadership and high-level expert advice to the organisation and the community in fields relating to biodiversity planning and conservation including environmental legislative compliance for Council projects, initiatives and infrastructure. 
• To lead and manage the Biodiversity Planning and Conservation team to achieve plans, goals, and projects, with a focus on identifying and implementing business improvement opportunities and processes, embedding a customer centric approach whilst enhancing service delivery and productivity. 
• Ensure there is an integrated approach to decision making and service delivery activities particularly relating to environmental planning, legislative compliance and approvals for Council works, threatened species management and landscape scale conservation of high value ecosystems. 
• Develop and coordinate Council’s strategic response to a range of complex environmental, biodiversity and conservation issues through the development of strategies, plans, programs and projects in a manner that is responsive to contemporary issues and community needs and relevant legislative requirements. 
• Represent Noosa Council on various regional, state, and federal environmental programs and forums. 
• Lead the Biodiversity Planning and Conservation team by providing support, and guidance to team members to create a positive work culture which promotes teamwork, personal accountability, continuous improvement, and team members going beyond what is required to meet customer needs.
• Manage the Biodiversity Planning and Conservation team physical, financial, and human resources so the Branch can deliver high quality services that provide best value for money to ratepayers and meet the needs of the community and the organisation.
• Provide high level and expert advice and support to Council officers, the Leadership Team, and the Council to enable informed and effective decision making and provide guidance to other Departments and Branches to assist their delivery of sound and compliant environmental outcomes, including the technical review of projects and proposals.
• Lead processes and provide direction for the development and review of strategies relevant to areas of responsibility ensuring an across organisation approach and effective community engagement utilising Council's policy and engagement frameworks.
• Develop strategic partnerships with research, tertiary and academic institutions other local government and levels of governments and community organisations.
• Drive tactical planning and implementation of adopted strategies and programs, as well as promote a shared understanding by the organisation, elected members and the community about what needs to be delivered.
• Coordinate the Biodiversity and Conservation teamwork program, working with multidisciplinary professionals, politicians and community to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Prepare and monitor the team budget and take responsibility for good financial management and periodic program reviews and reporting.  including oversight of Environment Levy expenditure on environmental projects, land acquisition and environment grants.
• Lead and implement ongoing business improvement processes, identify emerging issues, and recommend solutions to resolve problems, mitigate risks and leverage improvement opportunities.
• Support and facilitate community partnership arrangements within the context of Council's strategies, policies and procedures, human resourcing, and financial capacity to help achieve an integrated approach to program delivery.
• Be accountable for the outcomes of functions and service delivery responsibilities allocated to the Biodiversity Planning and Conservation team in Noosa Council’s Corporate Plan 2023-2028.

Further Questions

Please contact Ben Derrick, Environmental Services Manager on 0400 110 046 or [email protected], using the subject line: Coordinator - Conservation and Environment - Tewantin enquiry via EthicalJobs, for any further information regarding the position.

Click Apply Now to be directed to Noosa Council’s recruitment platform where you will be able to view additional details about the role including a position description.

A position description is attached.