Sustainability Officer

Byron Shire Council is focused on partnering with our community and offers pristine beaches, diverse lifestyles, a magnificent natural environment and a subtropical climate. Stay, live and work in our community.

Byron Shire Council has a high performance, collaborative culture.  We are a growth-oriented organisation and value individuals who are driven to succeed and exceed expectations.  We like to focus on understanding how a potential candidates talents and strengths align with the role they are interested in.  Working in Local Government and for Byron Shire Council provides opportunities to grow in the direction that you aspire.

We provide a rewarding and flexible working environment and celebrate our values of:

• We lead with enthusiasm and purpose
• We are open, honest and respectful
• We foster well-being and creativity
• We achieve our goals and succeed together.

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity then this may be the role for you.  We have passion and enthusiasm and are looking for like-minded people to join us on our journey.

Byron Shire Council is currently seeking an enthusiastic Sustainability Officer.  The position plays a key role in managing and delivering sustainability policies, programs and emissions reduction projects, as well as developing, implementing and driving climate mitigation and adaptation strategies to ensure Byron Shire Council reaches the target of net zero emissions.

Some specific tasks include:

• Investigating and implementing projects from Council's Net Zero Emissions Action Plan that reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
• Investigating and implementing identified actions from Council's Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
• Implementing education-based and behaviour change programs that reduce emissions within Council.
• Enhancing Council's focus on emission reduction and position Council as a leader and a strong advocate for the community.
• Reporting to the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee to provide communication and prioritisation of strategies as identified in the Byron Shire Council Net Zero Emissions Action Plan for Council Operations.

The successful candidate will meet the criteria set out in the Position Description below.

This is a term, part-time position from 8 December 2025 up to 7 December 2026 to temporarily replace an employee who is on approved leave.  There may be an opportunity in mid-2026 to increase hours to 35 hours per week, dependent on operational requirements at that time.

This opportunity offers:

• A term, part-time position (21 hours per week)
• Salary and Conditions will be in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award with an appointment at a salary in the range of $1,615.14 to $1,871.39 per 35 hour week (dependent upon skills and experience) - pro-rata rates apply for part-time positions
• Partner with an organisation that is taking steps in all areas to reduce our carbon emissions and be an innovative and sustainable council.

Other benefits include:

• Annual salary reviews and identified salary increases for financial year 2025/2026 based on award conditions
• 12% Superannuation Guarantee
• Flexible work hours
• Attractive salary packaging scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (4 sessions per year)
• Fitness Passport.

Location:

This position is based at Mullumbimby, however Council can require you to work from other work sites as required for operational reasons.

Alicia Lloyd - Team Leader Sustainability - Phone number: or

Rachel Thatcher - Sustainability Officer - Phone number:

10pm (NSW time), Sunday 19th October Late applications will not be permitted.

Download the Sustainability Officer Position Description (PDF,548KB)

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We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of our community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to explore new ways of working – including part-time, job-share or working from different locations. Everyone can ask about it.

We strongly encourage applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need an adjustment during the recruitment process, please call or email the contact person listed above, and also advise us of your preferred method of communication.

*Byron Shire Council is committed to being a child safe organisation – we respect all children and their wellbeing. We will embed Child Safe Standards into our leadership, governance and culture. We will support our staff and volunteers in their responsibilities. We will strive to keep children safe from harm and abuse.

• Reference Checks: Referees will preferably be your current or most recent supervisor and must be able to comment directly on your abilities in a work situation. If you have any objection to this action, your concerns should be raised in your application and be discussed with the Selection Panel.
• Functional Health Assessment: If applicable, the functional health assessment evaluates your physical and functional capacity against the physical demands necessary to safely perform the job for which you have applied. Applicable roles are subject to drug and alcohol testing, please note these tests will potentially require the provision of a urine sample, and a positive test will preclude a candidate from employment with Council at that time.
• Background Screening:Background checks verify the information you have provided in your application, and where applicable, also check for relevant criminal history. Checks may also include, for example, a confirmation of your employment history, qualifications/tickets and working with children clearance.

Click on the Apply button and follow the prompts to be redirected to Council's website.