Information for potential applicants
Title:
Environment Officer (part time)
Department:
Planning and Environment
Enquiries:
Derek Hibbert, Coast and Bushland Coordinator on
telephone 1300 BCOAST (226 278)
Closing Date:
Sunday, 30 September 2012
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About Bass Coast
Bass Coast’s unique combination of unspoiled coastline and picturesque rural hinterland is less than two hours drive from Melbourne.
Our main centres - Wonthaggi, Cowes, Inverloch, San Remo and Grantville - service the local population and more than 3.4 million visitors each year.
Bass Coast is the fastest growing area in Gippsland our resident population is about 30,000. During peak holiday periods, this swells to over 70,000.
Phillip Island attracts many visitors with its world famous Penguin Parade and the annual Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Regular events at the Grand Prix Circuit are
complemented by a number of well established music festivals and a smorgasbord of arts, local produce and family entertainment at locations across the Shire.
The major industries in Bass Coast are tourism, agriculture, retail, hospitality, construction, health and community services, education and training.
Council
The municipality is governed by seven elected councillors and Council has an annual budget of $70 million, employing about 400 staff.
The Civic Centre is located in McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi. We also provide customer service from offices located in Cowes, Grantville and Inverloch.
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Working at Bass Coast
We value the health and wellbeing of all staff at Bass Coast. There are a wide range of initiatives available for staff to take advantage of.
Flexible work hours, 48/52 arrangements, job-share options, counselling services, health checks, vaccinations, massage, pilates, yoga and discounted gym memberships are some of the options available through our health and wellbeing program.
We offer both in house and external training opportunities to all staff every year. Our HR team arrange training, travel and accommodation (where needed) so that staff can focus on getting the most out of their training experience.
We also have a very active social club who organise team building activities, after work events and much more.
The position
The Environment Team has three main areas of responsibility: climate change and
sustainability, foreshore and bushland management, and land and catchment management. The role will assist the Environment Team to deliver projects and projects related to land and catchment management and coastal and bushland management.
This position will suit a motivated, enthusiastic and well organised team player with attention to detail and the capacity to consistently produce high quality work within deadline. It requires excellent customer services, organisation and administration skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is essential, as well as well developed oral and written communication skills and the ability to build strong and credible relationships across our organisation.
General conditions
Employment will be in accordance with the Bass Coast Shire Council Enterprise Agreement (6) 2009 (EBA), the policies and procedures of Council, and any workplace agreements that may be negotiated from time to time.
Hours
Hours will be worked on a part time basis of 15.2 (0.4 FTE) per week, generally worked Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm. The hours may be worked either over 2 days per week or distributed over more than 2 days, as agreed.
Due to the nature of the work some variations to the hours may be required from time to time, which is part of the flexible work arrangements offered.
Where approved beforehand, hours worked in excess of 15.2 hours in any one week may be accrued to be taken as time-in-lieu at a later agreed date.
Salary
The position is classified as a Band 5, depending on skills and experience, in accordance with the EBA. With the additional benefits gained through Enterprise Bargaining at Bass Coast, this provides a pro-rata annual salary of $27.93 per hour, plus superannuation, public holidays, leave entitlements and other benefits.
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Pre-employment medical
Applicants may be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination. How to Apply
Applicants must address the key selection criteria, attach a covering letter and resume and specify where they found out about the position.
The key selection criteria against which applicants will be assessed are:
Proven experience and knowledge of the broad range of issues associated with natural resource management
Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
Ability to work as part of a team with proven time management abilities Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, particularly relating to
report writing and developing educational material.
Experience in project management with demonstrated financial management abilities
Strong research and analytical skills and capability to map data The following criteria are desirable:
Intermediate skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data bases. Experience in preparing successful grant applications
Ability to write for communication media such as print and social media Current Victorian Driver’s Licence
Further enquiries
For further information on the position, please contact:
Derek Hibbert
Coast and BushlandCoordinator
1300 BCOAST (226 278)
Applications
Applications are to be addressed to Mel Hay, Human Resources Coordinator, Bass Coast Shire Council and sent by email or post to:
• [email protected]; or • PO Box 118 Wonthaggi VIC 3995
Applications close:
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Position Description
September 2012
ED08 / 31795 page 4 of 6
Position:
Environment Officer
Classification: Band 5 Status (FTE): Permanent (0.4) Department: Environment
Occupant: Vacant
Date: September 2012
1. Position Objectives
• Work as a member of the Environment Team, with commitment to the natural assets of Bass Coast ensuring they are promoted and managed in a sustainable manner so they can be enjoyed now and by future generations. • Initiate, coordinate and project manage, programs and external relationships
related to land and catchment management and coastal and bushland management.
2. Key Responsibility Areas
• Gather data, prepare and assist in the preparation of strategic plans and reports on land and catchment management and coastal and bushland management as required, including the public consultation process.
• Liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure that
Councils polices and strategies are integrated with those agencies.
• Represent Council at local environmental public forums and workshops as
required.
• Initiate and prepare responses to customer enquiries related to land and
catchment management and coastal and bushland management issues.
• Undertake public consultation and engagement.
• Develop and lead internal education programs for staff to relating to
sustainability and climate change.
• Identify gaps in information and knowledge available to staff, and develop
education and training programs that will assist the Council in achieving its strategic objectives related to the environment.
• Liaise with all relevant government agencies and stakeholders to ensure
that Council’s policies and strategies are integrated with those agencies.
• Investigate and pursue all possible avenues for obtaining funding and resources for implementation of Council’s environmental objectives.
• Assist with the monitoring of costs to ensure that programs and projects are undertaken within budget, including regular reporting on project budgets.
September 2012
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• Other duties as directed within the skills and abilities of a position at this level. 3. Organisational relationships
Reports to: Coast and Bushland Coordinator
Supervises: Nil
4. Accountability and extent of authority
While being accountable for the quality, cost and timeliness of work carried out, the freedom to act is not simply limited to standards and procedures.
• Know and understand the system that you work in and help the organisation improve outcomes and provide high value to customers (internal and external) by improving systems, processes and relationships with a commitment to the philosophy of Business Excellence.
• Accountable for the quality and timeliness of work performed and advice given which must be consistent with legislation, awards, industrial
agreements/contracts, contemporary HR practices, performance targets, quality and corporate plans and organisational policies and procedures. • Understanding and compliance with risk management policy and procedures. • Accountable for carrying out duties having regard for the safety of self,
workmates and the general public, and also having regard for the safe and accountable use of all relevant plant and equipment.
• Working Together (Equal Employment Opportunity) principles must be observed at all times.
• Expected to fully utilise staff newsletters, consultative committees and staff representatives for communication purposes on general employment related matters.
• Understanding and compliance with the Code of Conduct and all employment policies.
• Compliance with Customer Service Charter, protocols and all other service standards of the organisation.
5. Competencies
5.1 Judgement and decision making
Work can involve solving problems using professional experience and at times requiring creativity and initiative. Guidance and advice is usually available within time to make a decision.
• Problem solving - the position is required to fulfil the responsibilities with general supervision and is required to exercise judgement and problem solving techniques using previous experience in new situations.
5.2 Specialist skills and knowledge
Requires an understanding of the team’s and organisation’s long term goals and of the underlying principles that apply to the legislation and standards of the organisation.
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• Environment - demonstrated interest and understanding in environmental and
natural resource management issues particularly relating to native vegetation management and coastal processes.
• Education - demonstrated knowledge and understanding of how to effectively
create and implement internal education and behaviour change programs.
• Mapping - ability to produce maps from data.
• IT - intermediate skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data bases.
5.3 Management skills
Specific objectives are achieved by an efficient use of the resources and setting priorities are required.
• Project management - excellent skills in managing projects, own time, planning and organising own work and setting priorities to ensure tasks are carried out effectively.
• Financial management - demonstrated ability to effectively manage small project budgets.
5.4 Interpersonal skills
Relate to others to gain their understanding, appreciation and support for the work being undertaken, including the preparation of reports correspondence and presentations.
• Communication skills - well-developed written and verbal communication skills required preparing reports and educational material.
• Ability to gain cooperation and assistance from within other areas of the organisation.
5.5 Qualifications and experience
Either a tertiary qualification with no experience or a lesser qualification with relevant experience needs to be drawn upon to meet key responsibilities.
• Comprehensive understanding of natural resource management, including native vegetation management.
• Relevant experience in project and budget management is essential. • A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence.
The qualifications, skills and experience outlined in this position description are ideals to which the occupant will aspire. Unless specifically stated, they are not absolutely essential.
