Senior Sustainability and Climate Change Officer

• Salary Range Band 7 $107,570 to $120,376 plus 11.5% superannuation
• Fixed Term Maternity Leave Backfill – 21 July 2025 to 15 May 2026
• We are a diverse & inclusive council based in St Kilda with a positive culture and flexible working arrangements possible 

About City of Port Phillip 

We are a vibrant and diverse inner-city council stretching 20kms from Port Melbourne along the stunning bay beaches down to Elwood and out to St Kilda East with around 1000 people who all work together to deliver more than 100 programs and services to our engaged community of residents, businesses and visitors. What does that mean? Think, childcare, libraries, parks, recreation, waste rubbish collection, road maintenance, family and youth services, property & assets, city planning & development, customer experience, digital technology, governance, people, culture and safety, and of course South Melbourne Market!  City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation. 

What’s the role all about 

We are on the lookout for a passionate and driven sustainability professional to join our Sustainability and Climate Change team. This exciting role will see you lead the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Council’s sustainability and climate change commitments and contribute to the embedding of climate risk across our Council.

This role would suit a pro-active and solutions focused person who has experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting, as well supporting an organisation to manage climate risks.  It is an opportunity to join a highly skilled and driven team with expertise in climate adaptation, decarbonisation, integrated water management, environmentally sustainable design and partnerships.

What you might do 

• Drive action to facilitate results
• Use your expert knowledge of managing climate risk to influence organisational change
• Coordinate projects using both a technical and strategic mindset
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships internally and externally

Who we are looking for 

• Expert knowledge in monitoring, evaluation and reporting of sustainability and climate change action
• Expert knowledge of embedding climate risks considerations into organisational systems, policies and processes
• As a connector, influencer and driver, you will combine a strategic mindset with technical insight.
• You will be purpose driven, people-focused and have a discerning eye for ways to make progress
• Your action-focused and results driven approach and passion for sustainability will help you build and maintain collaborative relationships internally and externally to implement action for real change.
• Tertiary degree in sustainability, climate change, environmental science, or similar discipline.

Our work environment  

We love what we do and are all proud to work at the City of Port Phillip. Yes, we are local council, and we are one with vibrancy, passion and ambition who are a welcoming, health conscious, diverse and inclusive. Our Main location at the iconic St Kilda Town Hall offers a heritage and modern open plan hub to work from where people can collaborate and develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community.  

Proudly as one we all work together, and grow together, thinking creatively and strategically with courage, integrity, and accountability to put our community first.  

What’s in it for you 

• We offer a hybrid working model with our core setup being 50-60% in the office depending on team requirements and welcome further conversation to meet your working style and needs
• Be supported and empowered to be your best by a passionate leadership team that encourages collaboration and innovation
• Discounted fitness membership with access to over 260+ gyms, pools, group classes and facilities across Melbourne for you and your family!
• Our work hubs are located close to our very own Child Care centres making accessing childcare a breeze!
• Career development opportunities within your team and/or across council plus a great study assistance allowance of up to $4000 per year per person and 6 hours per week study leave (on approved courses only)
• Flexible working conditions, an active social club, supportive health and wellbeing program, and a well- regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Our very own Pride Network, that helps create an environment where each and every person can feel safe, welcomed, seen, and supported to bring their whole selves to work
• 20 weeks paid parental leave and our pioneering 24 weeks paid leave for single parents
• Access to novated leasing and salary sacrificed technology

Important Pre-Employment Requirements 

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences
• Sufficient proof of right to work in Australia, and Sufficient proof of identity
• Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider
• Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).

So, what’s next?  

Hit that APPLY button now! 

Whether you think you meet all the requirements or not, we strongly encourage you to apply, as we take a holistic approach to considering your skills, life experience, and alignment to our key selection criteria. You’ve got this! 

Please submit; 

• Resume – latest and detailed version
• Cover letter no longer than 2 pages that captures your response to the Key Selection Criteria found on the Positions Description.

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered. 

For further information please contact Viv Heslop, Head of Sustainability and Climate Change via email at viv.heslop@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Applications close 11.59pm Wednesday 4 June 2025. 

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability. 

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact David Crichton (Head of Recruitment, Workforce Systems and Experience) on phone 0421 757 521 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au  

South Melbourne > Port Melbourne > Albert Park > Middle Park > St Kilda > Balaclava > Ripponlea > Elwood