Environmental Support Officer

Environmental Support Officer

At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community.

Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.

We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

The Opportunity

Our Natural Areas Team is looking for an Environmental Volunteer Support Officer with proven skills in volunteer engagement and co-ordination along with extensive knowledge in bush regeneration techniques. This role implements projects and programs relating to environmental management and community participation. In this role you will contribute to an extraordinary Wollongong by working with environmental volunteer program including Bushcare, Dunecare, Rise & Shine and Fiready. You will encourage community participation and awareness of Council's programs thereby improving the quality of Wollongong's open spaces and natural areas as well as aligning the work of the volunteer programs to Council's natural area strategy. You will deliver best practice workshops and educational sessions.

Find out more about what we do here: Volunteer Programs | City of Wollongong

Under Part 2, Section 6 of the Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012, this position has been designated as requiring a paid Working With Children Check.

This is a Permanent Part time position working 21 hours per week with a combination of weekday and weekend work. Salary from : $44.08 up to $52.28 per hour plus superannuation.

How you'll make a difference

Imagine getting your hands dirty with projects like Rise and Shine, Bushcare, Dunecare, and Fiready, coming together with like-minded volunteers and team members to restore Wollongong's beautiful natural areas. You will be a leader in following safe work practices and keeping work plans up-to-date.

Guide and coordinate volunteer activities, from strategic weed control to rubbish removal. Work with internal staff and contractors to support these efforts. Plus, you will keep our information systems in tip-top shape, recording things such as volunteer hours, site reports, plant requests, training and safety issues, statistics, volunteer groups, and more.

Be the go-to person for advice on ecological restoration, helping to develop site plans, and supporting our fantastic volunteer coordinators. Recruit new volunteers, celebrate their hard work, and share successes through sustainability newsletters.

Foster collaboration and effective communication among stakeholders, create a vibrant, informed community dedicated to environmental conservation. Lead dynamic and engaging educational sessions and deliver innovative best practices workshops. Make a positive impact and have fun doing it.

About you

You're a natural "people person" who excels at bringing others together for hands-on, meaningful conservation activities. With your qualifications, experience, and genuine passion for conservation management, you'll play a crucial role in preserving our natural spaces for future generations. Additionally, your ability to work independently and manage your time ensures that you can tackle tasks solo when needed, making you a versatile and invaluable asset to the team.

Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council

• True work-life balance We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
• Great working conditions Enjoy a 35-hour work week or a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
• Career growth and recognition

We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.

• Generous leave provisions Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
• Health, safety, and wellbeing We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks, vaccinations, and discounted gym memberships.
• A vibrant social culture Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.

For more information, click on 'Apply' to be redirected to Wollongong City Council's job vacancy page.

Contact Alice McDowell, Natural Areas Officer, on *** for questions related to the job

For questions related to submitting your application online, our recruitment process or you require adjustments in the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team on ***.

Applications close 11:59pm, Monday 26 May 2025

Internally Known as Environmental Volunteer Support Officer

We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.

Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.

Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

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