Sustainability Officer

The Position

We are seeking an experienced and qualified professional to join the Sustainability Office to assist with positioning the Reef Authority as a leader in sustainable practices. The position will play a key role in implementing the Reef Authority’s Sustainability Strategy.  

You will assist with delivery of projects and initiatives aligning with the Reef Authority Sustainability Strategy and drive sustainable practice awareness and commitment amongst staff, through promotion and education. You will contribute to the Sustainability program by providing advice on contemporary sustainability practices, government policy, procedural requirements and shifting community expectations. A core function of your role will be to use your communications expertise to maximise our reach to a range of stakeholders utilising available tools and platforms. This position can expect to be ‘hands on’ to deliver initiatives and integrate the principles of ‘Agile ways of working’.

The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.

Duties

1. Support the efficient and effective implementation of the Reef Authority Sustainability Strategy and the Sustainable Procurement Framework.
2. Participate in projects and process improvement designed to promote sustainability within the Reef Authority as well as providing specialist and technical advice on best practice related to environmental sustainability in the built environment.
3. Provide support and leadership to guide staff with respect to the principles of sustainability being implemented across the Reef Authority, which may include leading focus groups or committees.
4. Lead regular communication about progress on Sustainability Strategy initiatives and represent the Reef Authority with internal and external stakeholders to elevate the profile of Reef Authority’s role in sustainability in the built environment.
5. Contribute to required carbon emissions accounting and sustainability reporting.

As an APS employee you may be reassigned to a different set of duties at the same classification level at the discretion of the agency head (CEO), taking account of operational requirements in the agency.

Eligibility requirements & qualifications

Applicants must:

1. be an Australian citizen at time of applying for position,
2. be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance, failure to do so will result in termination of employment.

Desirable qualifications or equivalent experience 

• Have tertiary qualifications (or equivalent professional experience) in any of the following or similar: sustainability, engineering, sciences, communications or other relevant discipline (noting that sustainability spans a wide range of disciplines). Other relevant transferrable skills and qualifications may be considered as equivalent.
• Formal training and/or considerable work experience that includes sustainability strategy and strategy implementation, project management, sustainable procurement or communications and engagement.
• Experience with electric vehicles, power purchasing agreements, circular economy and ‘Nature Positive’ principles, carbon accounting and sustainability in the built environment (NABERS and Green Star certifications).
• Understanding of Australian and Queensland or local Government legislation, policies and initiatives related to environmental management and sustainability of properties and programs.
• Advanced computer literacy in MS Office suite, including PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel and carbon emissions and impacts accounting software.

How to apply for the position

Please ensure you read the instructions below and the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Please prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

1. how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.

2. any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

3. how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When you include an example, you should explain;

• your personal role in the task.

• the methods you used.

• any barriers you were able to overcome, and

• the outcome.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.

Your application must include:

1. your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).

2. proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)

3. a current curriculum vitae (resume) that includes: 

• an outline of your career history.

• qualifications and/or formal/informal training relevant to the position.

• contact details for at least two recent referees, one of whom should be your current supervisor.

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website. 

To apply for this position, please see the vacancy listing on The Reef Authority’s Career Portal.

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.