Environment Officer - City of Yarra

Role and tasks:
My role is to coordinate the implementation of Council's Environment Strategy. The Strategy outlines strategic goals and action programs for the different aspects of environmental management, including natural heritage, energy management, air pollution and waste management. My role is to work across the different functions in the organisation to make sure the different aspects of the Strategy are implemented.

Qualifications and experience:
I understand that I was offered the job because of my past experience in environmental management and planning, in particular, having liased with local government in water quality projects while employed in state government, and so having an understanding of environmental management in local government. Also, my brief experience in teaching may have assisted me in getting the job on the basis of communicating information.

What do you look for in job seekers?
If I was going to hire someone tomorrow to do my job, I would look for someone with a broad understanding of key environmental issues in the context of an inner city municipality, with the ability to link local everyday actions to the big picture. The person would need to be able to communicate effectively and be creative and motivated.

What is your advice for job seekers?
Present yourself well, and be willing and able to learn from others and work with others in environmental management. Keep up networks, keep up to date with your particular field of interest, and be willing to take short term jobs as experience. Always stay positive!