• Job No: ZZ1474
• Location: Noosaville
• Position Remuneration: Level 6.1 ($98,037 base annual salary) / ($111,279 total remuneration package which is based on a permanent full-time employee and inclusive of 12% employer superannuation and 17.5% leave loading).

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

This position will coordinate and deliver climate change adaptation and resilience projects in accordance with Council’s work programs and corporate policy framework.

Further, the position will lead and implement Council’s Climate Change Response Program in line with corporate objectives and in a way that recognises the needs and expectations of the community, elected members, other Departments and State Government agencies.

About You

As the Climate Change Adaptation Program Leader, you will have an excellent understanding of climate change science and the implications of this from a risk management perspective for local and regional communities, including experience and knowledge in risk-based management of climate hazards including compounding effects of sea level rise and coastal hazards, flooding, bushfires, heatwaves, extreme storms, droughts and other climate related hazards.

You will possess excellent public speaking and presentation skills for the delivery of initiatives and policy to local government, other levels of government and the community. Furthermore, but not limited to, you will have experience in strategy/policy development and implementation together with specialist experience in the climate hazard planning and climate change adaptation or similar for local government or other industry.

The position's focus will be:

• Lead the implementation of Council’s climate change adaptation program consistent with Council’s corporate policies and plans including Noosa’s Climate Change Response Plan, Regional Climate Action Roadmap, Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan and Flood Management Plan.
• Supervise and provide direction to team members, consultants and academic partners supporting the climate change adaptation and flood risk planning program.
• Develop and update risk assessments and adaptation actions across multiple hazards including floods, coastal, bushfires, heatwaves, drought, extreme storms, and landslides, as well as compounding and cascading risks.
• Collaborate with staff and leaders across the organisation to ensure a cross-Council approach to prioritising nature-based solutions, building understanding of climate risk management and embedding climate resilience.
• Work inclusively with Councillors and staff, the community, academic partners, industry, utility providers and adjoining local governments to achieve a collaborative approach to climate change adaptation planning for the Shire.
• Provide technical input and support in the development of policy to inform planning scheme amendments related to climate hazards, climate risk, biodiversity and waterways planning.
• Provide written and verbal advice on climate change matters to the public, stakeholders and partners, including coordination of community consultation and engagement processes.
• Develop and implement detailed project plans and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Manage all aspects of consultancies required for specialist assessments and reports, and undertake independent research, policy development and reporting.
• Keep abreast of the latest science and responses to climate change adaptation, climate-driven hazards and sustainability including academic research and state and Federal policy reviews to ensure work is evidence-based, impactful, contemporary and leading edge.
• Collaborate with Council’s Community Engagement Branch and coordinate all community engagement through project phases.
• Critically evaluate and summarise consultant reports and recommendations and develop and implementation actions.
• Meet all milestones, timeframes and budgets for the project.
• Coordinate internal and external working groups, facilitate meetings and prepare and present reports to Council at key stages throughout the project.
• Build corporate capacity and capabilities and provide advice within Council around local climate change responses through training, information and advice.
• Coordinate partnership with the Disaster Management staff to ensure a collaborative and integrated approach to climate risk reduction and disaster risk reduction, including through development and implementation of the future

Resilience Strategy.

• Engage and liaise with First Nations Peoples as key rights holders and knowledge holders on sustainability, resilience and climate change.
• Such other relevant duties as required from time to time as identified by the Sustainability & Climate Change Coordinator, Strategy & Sustainability Manager, and Director Strategy & Environment, which would generally fall within the scope of this position.

About Us

Noosa Council is located at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Covering an area of 871km2. Noosa has a proud history of preserving its natural environment and is recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The region offers a unique mix of stunning beaches, national parks, lakes and lush hinterland, which makes it one of the greatest places in Australia to live and work.

Further Questions

Please contact Rebecca Britton, Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator on (07) 5329 6438 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.