Community Outreach Officer - Sustainable Communities

• Full time maximum term position for 12-months
• RDO
• Work towards greater sustainability through community connections in a local area
• Salary:  $81k - $105k + Super
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community.  Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep.  Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

We're looking for someone with the passion and experience to work with local people and community groups. The role will test different ways to change how people understand, think about and act on important sustainability topics: energy, waste, and sustainable transport.

We aim to raise awareness about the environment. We also want to encourage lasting changes in behaviour. This applies to both residents and businesses.

To reach and build relationships with under-represented communities may require patience, empathy, careful listening, and great social skills.  Council aims to pilot this approach in a geographic area in the north of Merri-bek.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Map and build trust with Merri-bek's multicultural groups. They are multilingual and multifaith.
• Work with community members to design education and local initiatives related to energy, waste, and sustainable transport.
• Deliver education and communications activities to community members.
• Track the progress and impacts of this pilot approach, so it can be evaluated.
• Share insights and experiences with the Sustainable Communities team and wider Council.

• Experience working within multicultural communities.
• Qualification (from Australia or overseas) in community development, behavioural sciences, public health, sustainability, education, or social science.
• Experience in delivering community projects including project design and monitoring.
• Good written, verbal, and other communication skills.
• Ability to speak a Merri-bek community language is highly desirable. For example: Arabic, Greek, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese or Nepali
• Knowledge and interest in sustainability issues is highly desirable.

• RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Donna Luckman on 9304 9741.

Applications close: 11:30pm, Tuesday, 11 June 2024.
*in the case that we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Before submitting an application please view the Position Description.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid WWCC.  Please have this ready when completing your application.

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience.  Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on ***********@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.