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 – Healthy, Smart, and Creative, council is at the forefront of delivering a number of region-shaping projects that will see the region become a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity, along with opportunities and a lifestyle for all to enjoy.

About the Role

Sunshine Coast council’s Vision is Australia’s most sustainable region. Our focus is to enable an outstanding quality of life for our residents with an accessible, well-built environment. This motivates us to think about the way we work and the impact our decisions have on our community and environment.

Everything we do and stand for is driven from our fundamental community focus -– to deeply understand the needs of our community, we listen to the wide range of diverse experiences of the people who live here.

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 regions 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

The Senior Conservation Partnerships Officer works as part of a regional team to support and facilitate the environmental work of landowners through the Voluntary Conservation Agreement & Land for Wildlife Programs, and Landholder Environment Grants. The role will lead and contribute to a high performing operational team with property management planning expertise and  extensive local flora and fauna knowledge.

As a Senior Conservation Partnerships Officer, you will:

• Develop and lead the delivery of Council’s Conservation Partnerships program to achieve positive private land conservation outcomes through a range of landholder engagement tools and programs such as Land for Wildlife, Voluntary Conservation Agreements and Landholder Environment Grants.  
• Develop workplace procedures and contribute to management policies related to private land conservation activities undertaken through the Councils Conservation programs.
• Build cohesive networks with external stakeholders to ensure coordinated, efficient and strategically targeted use of resources.  This may include attendance at public meetings or initiating and monitoring community consultation.
• Actively leading the development and fostering of external partnerships with government and non-government agencies.
• Promote Conservation Partnerships Program to the broader community through community education, training, media outlets, public events and other opportunities as they arise.

About you

As a requirement of this role, you will possess formal relevant qualifications (Degree) in Environmental Sciences, or an equivalent qualification and several years of on-ground experience working in private land conservation assisting private landholders to develop property management plans (including fire management) to manage their properties for conservation.

Proven experience in the development and delivery of environmental communication strategies coupled with extensive knowledge and experience in implementing environmental grant and incentive programs.

As a professional in Environmental matters, you will have strong leadership skills and experience to confidently and positively lead and empower others, develop and coach team members.

You will possess strong communication skills which will be key to delivering positive outcomes in partnership with a highly collaborative team and the community. The ability to negotiate on-ground outcomes with private landholders is essential.

A current Class C Driver Licence and a current First Aid Certificate will be highly regarded.

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. We also pay you 17.5% leave loading and generous Superannuation where council will contribute 12% Superannuation in addition to your 6% superannuation contribution.

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.