Lead bushland conservation in one of Melbourne's premier Councils

Are you passionate about preserving and enhancing natural bushland? Are you a skilled leader ready to coordinate conservation and restoration efforts across some of Victoria's most treasured urban landscapes? If so, this is your chance to make a real difference.

About the opportunity:

Banyule City Council is recognised for its commitment to biodiversity, sustainability, and open space. We manage over 200 parks and reserves, including 338 hectares of high-value bushland and waterways that shape the character and liveability of our city.

We are seeking a Bushland Management Coordinator to lead our Bushland Management Unit. This is a senior leadership role in the Parks and Natural Environment team, with responsibility for collaborating on and delivering strategies such as the Biodiversity Strategy, Urban Forest Strategy, Weed Management Strategy, and Integrated Water Management Plan.

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping Banyule's environmental legacy and engaging the community in stewardship as part of a supportive leadership team, with direct influence at the executive level.

What you'll do:

• Lead and deliver high-quality bushland management services across Banyule, ensuring biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and compliance with Council's strategies and legislation.
• Provide strategic and people leadership for the Bushland Management Unit, supporting the Team Leader, Rangers, and volunteers to achieve safe, effective and sustainable outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships with Traditional Custodians, community groups, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and other key stakeholders to enhance Banyule's natural environment and engage the community.
• You'll also manage budgets, contracts, and reporting, ensuring compliance and strong outcomes, and represent bushland priorities at the leadership level and help shape Banyule's future environment.
• This role is part of Banyule's Leadership Network – you'll have opportunities to grow your skills and experience of leadership in a Local Government context and develop your skills as an organisational leader beyond your role-based expertise.

What we are looking for/what you'll bring:

• Demonstrate a wide understanding of urban Biodiversity Conservation, Rehabilitation projects associated with Natural areas.
• A tertiary qualification (degree) in biodiversity conservation, bushland management, ecology or an appropriate technical area (such as horticulture) with experience, or lesser qualifications (diploma) with extensive experience.
• Experience working within a highly political environment, engaging with and effectively building strong rapport and relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly developed verbal and written skills including experience in writing reports, contract specifications and technical reports.
• Ability to carry out effective short, medium and long-term planning to ensure successful delivery of multiple high priority projects/initiatives on time, within budget and within a high-volume operational environment.
• Demonstrated experience in the development of high-performance teams and possession of effective leadership competencies.

Pre employment requirements:

• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check
• Drivers licence
• Psychometric Assessment

We offer:

• Salary from $122,479.30 to $136,887.38 per annum, plus super.
• A permanent, full-time opportunity, with flexible work and leave arrangements and a monthly RDO.
• Work in some of Melbourne's most significant natural landscapes, including the Yarra and Plenty River corridors.
• Lead one of Victoria's strongest council-based bushland teams, with dedicated and skilled colleagues.
• Genuine work-life balance and generous leave arrangements including 18 weeks of paid parental leave - primary carer/2 weeks of paid parental leave - partner.
• Award-winning learning and development opportunities.
• A supportive workplace with great flexibility and a focus on wellbeing initiatives including Fitness Passport

How to apply:

Please submit your CV and a short (2-3 page) cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and including your interest in applying and what you will bring to the role and team.

If you have any questions regarding the opportunity please contact Michael Tanner on 0481 175252

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. Applications close 26 September 2025 at 11:45pm.

Why Choose Banyule: Join a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact on our community. At Banyule Council, you'll have the opportunity to drive service excellence, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to the betterment of our community. We offer a supportive, collaborative, and innovative work environment where your skills and expertise will be valued and rewarded.

Banyule City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we value diversity and inclusion, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you have a reasonable adjustment, support, or access requirement, we encourage you to inform us through your application or email [email protected].

Our Values: Our employees align their careers with Banyule because they share our values of respect, integrity, responsibility, initiative, and inclusion. They thrive in our strong learning and development culture, and the positive way we work in partnership with the community.

Diversity Statement: Our community is made up of diverse, cultures, beliefs, abilities, bodies, sexualities, ages, and genders. We are committed to access, equity, participation, and rights for everyone: principles that empower, foster harmony, and increase the wellbeing of an inclusive community.

To discover more about Banyule's commitment to advancing gender equality in the workplace, please find Banyule's Workplace Gender Equality Action Plan 2021-2025.

Acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians: Banyule City Council is proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as Traditional Custodians of the land and we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the region's history.

Banyule City Council endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full and accepts the invitation to walk with First Nations peoples, to a better future for us all.

Child Safe Standards Statement of Commitment: Banyule City Council is a child-safe organisation and is committed to the safety and well-being of children.

Council has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously and acted upon. As a child-safe organisation we are committed to providing a child-safe environment where children feel safe, are empowered, valued and protected. Council will actively listen to children, ensuring their voices are heard and considered in decisions that affect their lives.