POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: Biodiversity Project Officer POSITION NO: 101473 DIVISION: DEPARTMENT: SECTION: Sustainable Infrastructure and Services Sustainable Environment Land & biodiversity STATUS: Temporary Full Time (26 February 29 June 2018) CLASSIFICATION: Band 5A OCCUPANT: LOCATION: Broadmeadows (requires travel to other locations within Hume) DATE: November 2017 POSITION OBJECTIVE(S): Coordinate and implement land and biodiversity grants, which include: o Conserving our Rural Environment (CoRE) grant o Valuing our Volcanic Plains (VoVP) grants Engage and support the participation of rural residents in engagement and capacity-building activities for the rural community. Assist and support the implementation of the Land & Biodiversity Plan 2015-2019. Providing sound and specialised advice on control methods for pest plants and animals, native vegetation management and general environmental protection and restoration, including waterways. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 1. Conserving our Rural Environment (CoRE) grant: Effectively market / promote the program to the rural community and promote the project outcomes Carry out administration of the program, including processing expression of interest forms and applications, project assessments and approvals and record keeping Undertake property visits to assess all medium and large project grants Undertake ongoing property visits to approved small grant recipients Audit all approved medium and large projects to ensure compliance with the funding agreement Undertake environmental monitoring to measure change over time immediate use only printed. Page 1 of 6
2. Valuing our Volcanic Plains (VoVP) grant: Effectively market / promote the program to the rural community and promote the outcomes of the program. Carry out administration of the program, including processing expression of interest forms and applications, project assessments and approvals and record keeping Undertake property visits to assess all expressions of interest Develop and update conservation management plans for each participant Undertake ongoing property visits to monitor and audit each project Undertake environmental monitoring to measure change over time Participate in the project Steering Committee 3. Rural community engagement: Organise and deliver field days and/or other engagement activities for rural landowners Assist in the delivery of other land and biodiversity events, including forums and workshops Contribute articles to Council publications Provide sound land management advice to landowners Develop partnerships with a diversity of land managers including community, key stakeholders and government agencies. 4. General: Ensure compliance to all aspects of Council s WH&S and relevant legislative requirements to ensure the safety of self, contractors, other staff and the public. Participate in the development of contract specifications, evaluation of Tenders and induction of sub-contractors. Undertake mapping in GIS as required, including field data capture Compile and prepare reports, general correspondence and other documents as required Assist in the delivery of other land and biodiversity team programs / projects as required Provide advice to clients and to give support to the Coordinator Land & Biodiversity Supervise contractors, day labour and casual staff as required in accordance with Council s policies, procedures and Tender specifications. Prepare routine reports and correspondence as directed by the Coordinator Land & Biodiversity. immediate use only printed. Page 2 of 6
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT VISION Hume City Council will be recognised as a leader in achieving social, environmental and economic outcomes with a common goal of connecting our proud community and celebrating the diversity of Hume. MISSION To enhance the social, economic and environmental prosperity of our community through vision, leadership, excellence and inclusion. Our Hume Values & Guiding Behaviours: Respect I will: Actively listen and communicate openly with others Value individual differences and the contribution of others Treat people fairly and ensure others do the same Respect Customer Focus Customer Focus I will: Take responsibility for delivering services and solutions in a timely manner Respond to internal and external customers professionally and respectfully Engage with, listen and seek to understand the needs and expectations of the customer/resident Collaboration I will: Support and assist others by sharing information, knowledge and resources Cooperate with others and set and achieve common goals Actively participate and contribute to the team Innovation I will: Explore and act on better ways of doing things Be open minded and encourage new ideas from others Actively learn and develop to improve the work I do for the organisation ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Collaboration Innovation Hume City Council has a strong and enduring commitment to environmental sustainability, and prides itself on its leadership on a range of environmental issues. Council s Sustainable Environment Department leads Council activities in this area, however all Council departments have a direct responsibility for implementing environmental sustainability actions across all Council operations and services to the community. immediate use only printed. Page 3 of 6
Council s Live Green Work Green employee behaviour change program encourages staff participation in reducing the environmental impact of Council operations. Staff is encouraged to join the environmental leadership team, the Green Team, guiding action in this area. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT/BEST VALUE Assist in the implementation and maintain continuous improvement system standards and procedures. ASSET MANAGEMENT: Staff is responsible for undertaking Asset Management functions in accordance with the Asset Management Responsibility Matrix (found on the Asset Management Team Site), to ensure Council assets continue to be managed and maintained. RISK MANAGEMENT: Contribute to a positive risk management culture by complying with the Risk Management Policy, assisting with the implementation of the Risk Management Strategy and reporting risk management concerns and improvements to their supervisors and/or managers. Demonstrate Council's commitment to implementing best practice risk management processes. WORK HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS): Employees are required to participate in the WHS process by: Following established safe working instructions, procedures and policies. Taking reasonable care for their own Work Health and Safety and that of others. Seeking assistance when unsure of practices, procedures and policies to perform a task. Reporting all incidents, injuries, near misses, damage to property and hazards as soon as practicable to their supervisor and the OHS Team. Actively participating and contributing to inspections, audits, team meetings and training. Ensure that relevant WHS legislation is complied with. POLICE RECORDS CHECK: The incumbent must have and maintain a current Police Records Check: YES NO WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK: The incumbent must have and maintain a current Working with Children Check : YES NO OTHER DUTIES: Responsibilities and duties included in this Position Description are subject to the Multi-skilling provisions of the relevant Award and/or the Hume City Council Enterprise Agreement. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to: Supervises: Land & Biodiversity Officer Contractors where required Internal Contacts: Sustainable Environment Department, Parks Department, Community Development & Learning, Organisational Performance and Engagement Department. immediate use only printed. Page 4 of 6
External Contacts: Rural Landholders, Residents/general public, Community Groups, Government Authorities, Other Councils, Contractors, External Agencies, (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water), Local community groups, Port Phillip & Western Port CMA, Trust for Nature, Greening Australia, Friends of groups, Landcare, Environmental and land management educators and practitioners ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY: The incumbent is responsible and accountable for: Displaying and promoting Our Hume Values & Guiding Behaviours Maintaining a knowledge of and working within Organisation Policies and Procedures including WHS, EEO and Code of Conduct. Implementing the Conserving our Rural Environment and Valuing our Volcanic Plains grants. Providing sound advice on control methods for pest plants and animals, native vegetation management and general environmental protection and restoration, including waterways. Providing administrative input into the development of policies and strategies relating to land and biodiversity management. Providing advice to clients and to give support to the Coordinator Land & Biodiversity. The effect of decisions and actions taken may be significant but the decisions and actions are always subject to appeal or review by the Coordinator Land & Biodiversity. Supervising contractors, day labour and casual staff as required in accordance with Council s policies, procedures and Tender specifications. Maintaining good customer services by accurate provision of records and information to all customers. The timely management and completion of assigned projects. The freedom to act is limited by clear objectives, prior consultation with the Manager Environment and other senior staff, and regular supervision to ensure adherence to set work plans. JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING: The incumbent is accountable for: Making decisions based on knowledge and experience to ensure problems and issues related to the position are promptly remedied or reported to appropriate persons. Identifying customer needs and expectations, deciding the appropriate action, responding accordingly in a professional manner and redirecting more specific inquiries as appropriate. Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice. The incumbent is responsible for providing sound advice on best practice environmental management to clients. Dealing with and solving problems in a professional and helpful manner by using procedures and guidelines and the application of professional or technical knowledge. Using creativity and originality to deal with problems of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously encountered situations. SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: The following knowledge and skills are required to be utilised: Ability to communicate sensitively and sympathetically with all stakeholders including rural landholders, members of the public and internal customers and to use initiative in relation to meetings and opportunities, etc. immediate use only printed. Page 5 of 6
An understanding of the long term goals of the unit and an appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation. Proficient computer skills, including with the use of Microsoft Office and GIS Applications. Understanding of native vegetation management, flora & fauna habitats and sustainable land management theory and practice including indigenous and invasive plant identification skills and knowledge, and weed identification and control techniques. Demonstrated ability to organise and implement landowner capacity building activities, engagement programs and develop material to engage the community. Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships with a diversity of land managers including community, key stakeholders and government agencies. Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, and issues involved with land and natural resource management. MANAGEMENT SKILLS: The following management skills are required to be utilised: Demonstrated ability to manage time, set priorities, planning and organising one s own workload and in appropriate circumstances that of other to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within set timetables. Basic knowledge and understanding of relevant Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and procedures, and the ability to ensure contractors adhere to the requirements. Demonstrated ability to operate with minimal supervision and show high levels of initiative. Ability to maintain professionalism, integrity and confidentiality. Ability to engage and supervise contractors to undertake ecological works. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: The following interpersonal skills are required to be demonstrated: Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently. The ability to build relationships, establish effective communication networks and relationships with contractors, Council officers and the general community (particularly rural landholders and people from various cultural backgrounds). Ability to identify customer needs and expectations, decide the appropriate action and respond accordingly. Ability to communicate both verbally and in written form to a broad range of people of diverse backgrounds and cultures in the administration of well-defined activities and in the supervision of other employees where appropriate. Ability to write report, articles and prepare external correspondence. Ability to deal with difficult situations and present a positive Council image. Demonstrated initiative, self-motivation and enthusiasm requiring minimum supervision. Maintaining good customer services by accurate provision of records and information to all customers. Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships with a diversity of land managers including community, key stakeholders and government agencies. immediate use only printed. Page 6 of 6
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: The following qualifications and experience are required for the position: Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Conservation and Land Management, Environmental Management, or a related discipline, lesser formal qualifications with demonstrated relevant experience. Experience in engaging with landowners and / or community groups. A current Driver's Licence is essential (4WD experience is desirable). TASK ANALYSIS In the course of his/her duties, a person in this position may be expected to work in or be exposed to the following conditions or activities as marked. Condition/Activity Constant Frequent Occasional N/A Manual handling weights -above 10kgs -below 10kgs ( ) ( ) Manual handling frequency ( ) Repetitive manual work ( ) Repetitive bending/twisting ( ) Working with arms above head ( ) Lifting above shoulder height ( ) Using hand tools vibration/powered ( ) Operating precision machinery ( ) Close inspection work ( ) Wearing hearing protection ( ) Wearing eye protection ( ) Working in dusty conditions ( ) Working in wet/slippery conditions ( ) Wearing gumboots ( ) Wearing safety shoes/boots (steel cap) ( ) Working with ( ) chemicals/solvents/detergents Washing hands with soap (hygiene) ( ) Working at heights ( ) Working in confined spaces ( ) Working in chillers (+4 degrees C) ( ) Performing clerical duties ( ) Working on a keyboard ( ) Driving cars and/or trucks ( ) Other (please specify) immediate use only printed. Page 7 of 6
Other special features (e.g. nature of chemicals, travelling requirements, etc.): travel from site to site on a regular basis VARIATION TO CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: These conditions of employment, your duties and your location may be varied by Council during the term of your employment. The Terms and Conditions in this Position Description are to be read in conjunction with the General Terms and Conditions of Employment. AGREEMENT: I hereby accept and agree to the duties in this Position Description. I understand that this Position Description is to be read in conjunction with the General Terms and Conditions of Employment and I agreed to abide by the terms and conditions stipulated therein. Name (Please print): Signature: Date: SELECTION CRITERIA: Selection will be based on the following selection criteria; however, reference will also be made to other listed skills, knowledge and attributes as required in the Position Description: 1. Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Conservation and Land Management, Environmental Management, or a related discipline with relevant work skills, or lesser formal qualifications with relevant demonstrated relevant experience. 2. Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills including a demonstrated capacity to liaise with landholders and groups from diverse backgrounds. 3. The ability to work autonomously and effectively in a team environment. 4. Sound understanding of local sustainable land management issues within a rural context, their impacts on biodiversity and techniques to manage their impacts. 5. Skills and knowledge in the identification of local flora and fauna, including indigenous plants and plant communities, and weed identification. 6. Proven ability in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising own workload to achieve set objectives in a timely manner. 7. Experience in engaging with and building the capacity of landowners and / or community groups and the ability to organise and implement engagement programs and develop material to engage the community and promote sustainable land and biodiversity management. 8. Experience in the supervision of contracts desirable but not essential. 9. A current driver s licence (4WD experience desirable). immediate use only printed. Page 8 of 6