• Permanent Full Time
• $165,000 – $180,000 pa package (incl.11.5% super)
• Optional council vehicle

Who we are

At Surf Coast Shire Council, we care about our people and our community, and we exist to support both to thrive. We are a region full of spectacular coastline, scenic rainforests, rural hinterland, and magnificent beaches, not to mention the Great Ocean Road, one of the tourists draw cards of Australia. The Surf Coast is among the fastest growing regional municipalities in Victoria.

Our employees enjoy a supportive and connected culture, flexible work-life balance offering hybrid flexible working options, free staff onsite parking and much more.

At Surf Coast, we work together, we see opportunity, we do what we say, and we make a difference.

Your new career

Protect and enhance our world-class natural environment. Lead our transition to a circular economy.

These roles don’t come along too often in a place like Surf Coast!

A quick look at the Community Vision and the Council Plan will show you how vital this environmental leadership role is to this community’s aspirations and expectations.

This role provides significant scope to drive strategy in climate action, environment, and circular economy, as well oversee the management and transition of waste operations as we prepare for the closure of the Anglesea landfill site.

You will join talented colleagues in the Placemaking and Environment Division working together to care for Country and make places that people love so that our community and environment thrive.

You get to enjoy and will add to our fantastic culture.

What you will bring to the role

People want to be in the teams you lead, they want to work with you as a colleague and they want to partner their organisations with yours.

• You have an excellent grounding in all elements of the portfolio and/or a versatility to master them.
• You’re passionate about the work and can channel this with the discipline and pragmatism of a rounded senior leader used to working in complex and changing contexts.
• You comfortably straddle strategy and operations. You embrace detailed compliance and financial matters and can comfortably switch to the bigger picture.

This makes you a respected and influential difference-maker.

Key selection criteria

Mandatory qualifications, experience and requirements:

• Tertiary level qualifications in a relevant discipline and a proven track record leading multi-disciplinary teams in environment, climate change, circular economy or related sectors (Qualification Check)

• A respected advisor, peer and colleague due to excellent relationship, communications and engagement skills in various internal and external contexts including members of the public, members of governing bodies and government officials.
• An innovator and influencer with highly developed strategy and policy development/implementation capabilities demonstrated in a relevant field.
• Someone who delivers and achieves great outcomes in a busy portfolio by balancing an impactful, planned program of work and the resolution of unexpected issues.
• An admired leader of others within and beyond formal span of control with a reputation for having a positive impact on team and organisation culture.
• A demonstrated capacity to focus on compliance requirements and service improvements including contracts, legal obligations and the nuts and bolts of municipal-wide operations.

• Current Victorian driver’s licence
• A current Working With Children Check

• You have the permanent right to live and work in Australia
• Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council). A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience working in Local Government.
• Appropriate post graduate qualifications.

What you’ll love working with us

Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life.

We recognise that our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community. Our Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

There are numerous social activities throughout the year available as well as the benefits of:

• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and flexi time options
• Employee Assistance Program and award-winning staff wellbeing program
• Career development and learning opportunities, we help our people grow
• Option for a council vehicle
• Purchase of additional annual leave
• Free on-site parking

For More Information

More information on the role accountabilities and the key selection criteria can be found in the Position Description which is available on here.

If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Chris Pike, General Manager Placemaking and Environment on 5261 0600.

How to apply

Applications are to be in Word or PDF format and should include a:

• cover letter
• statement addressing the selection criteria
• copy of your resume.

Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the selection criteria will be considered for this position.

Simply complete the application process by clicking Apply Now and we'll be in touch with you shortly regarding your application.

Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer.