About Us

Located 35km to the southeast of Melbourne, Greater Dandenong City Council covers 129 square kilometres and has a population of over 169,000 people. The central activities district is Melbourne's second largest retail and commercial centre and includes large shopping complexes at Dandenong and Keysborough as well as the highly popular Dandenong Market.

Greater Dandenong City Council is the most culturally diverse locality in Australia, with residents from over 150 different birthplaces, nearly two-thirds of whom were born overseas. Key industries include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, wholesale trade and transport.

We are a progressive organisation of exceptional character that offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment to approximately 900 employees. We recognise that our staff are vital to the delivery of excellent service to our community and the achievement of our long-term vision. We invest in the development of our people, and we strive to be a workplace that is respectful, engaged, accountable, creative and honest.

About the role

The Conservation team delivers a range of programs focused on protecting, enhancing and restoring Council’s bushland reserves and natural assets. This role supports the delivery of these programs through a combination of project coordination, contractor management and on ground environmental outcomes.

The Conservation Projects Officer is responsible for coordinating conservation and environmental projects, including large scale weed control, revegetation and habitat improvement programs. The role also supports the delivery of externally funded projects, including grant applications, program implementation, reporting and acquittals.

Working closely with contractors, partners and internal teams, the position ensures works are delivered to required standards, within agreed timeframes and budgets, while meeting relevant environmental, safety and legislative requirements. Field work is undertaken with appropriate planning, safety systems, equipment and team support to ensure a safe and inclusive working environment.

About you

You are an organised and practical environmental professional with experience delivering conservation or bushland management programs. You understand how to translate project plans into on ground outcomes and are confident coordinating works across contractors, stakeholders and internal teams to achieve results.

You bring a strong understanding of environmental project delivery, including weed control, revegetation and broader conservation land management practices. You are comfortable working across both field and office-based environments, managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate records and ensuring works are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

You are also an effective communicator who can build productive working relationships with contractors, community groups and partner organisations, and contribute to collaborative environmental outcomes across the municipality.

Key Selection Criteria

• Degree or Diploma in Environmental Science, Conservation and Land Management, or a related discipline with little or no relevant work experience or through lesser formal qualifications with relevant work experience, or through relevant experience and work skills including:
• Exposure to contract management processes, including monitoring and OH&S requirements.
• Demonstrated project coordination experience, including the ability to deliver projects to required standards, within the required timelines and set budgets.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of excellence in customer service, including the ability to engage with the community and a variety of stakeholders to deliver required projects and programs.
• Demonstrated well developed verbal and written communication skills and computer literacy including the familiarity with MS Office suite, as well as applicable Engineering Services software.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of specific OH&S practices and procedures applicable to the role, including risk minimisation strategies

If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your skills and experience would enable you to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Please ensure you address the key selection criteria outlined in the position description as part of your application.

You may be required to undertake practical testing, work preference profiling / psychometric testing, functional capacity assessment (physical) or aptitude testing.

The successful candidate will be asked to produce a clear Working with Children Check and will be asked to consent to a national police check (and where relevant an ‘international criminal history check’), subject to the operation of spent conviction laws. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Benefits of working with us

Council believes in providing an environment where staff thrive, both in the work they do and in how they learn and develop as people and professionals.

Our workplace has an inclusive and diverse culture which encourages innovation and supports your work and life balance. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, develop and grow your career within our expanding and diverse organisation.

Our benefits include

• Competitive salary
• Salary sacrifice childcare (where available)
• Flexible working options supported including hybrid work
• Access to learning & development programs including study assistance
• Reward & recognition programs
• Health initiatives
• Access to our support and wellbeing programs
• A vibrant social club

Council will consider flexible working arrangements for all positions. We embrace our diverse community and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability, and faith. Council will give due consideration to any workplace adjustments to accommodate the needs of any prospective or existing staff member.

Council is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and promoting cultural safety and wellbeing for children with zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.

If you require any access or reasonable adjustment at any point throughout the recruitment process, then please do let us know by contacting the listed Hiring Manager - your experience truly matters to us.

• See the position description attached below for further information about this role.