ABOUT MERRI CREEK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (MCMC)

MCMC is a proud community-based organisation, supported by the community, our local government members, and Melbourne Water. We live our values in our purpose, vision and daily actions.

Our purpose - to lead, in partnership, the preservation of the natural heritage, ecological restoration and repair, and community stewardship, and support the preservation of cultural heritage of the Merri Creek and tributaries, their corridors and associated ecological communities.

MCMC acknowledges that the Merri Creek flows through the cultural landscape of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and that recognition, reconciliation and engagement with First Peoples is necessary to achieve its purpose.

Our vision – Healthy Merri and Country. Thriving, protected, and cared for.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Temporary part-time: 0.8FTE
• Location: MCMC office at 2 Lee Street, Brunswick East (hybrid work from home is available)

Are you a strategic, future focused leader who is passionate about working with communities to protect and retore the natural environment? If yes, then this job could be for you.

As Manager Catchment Education and Engagement, you’ll set the strategic direction for MCMC’s catchment education and engagement program. You’ll take this new role and guide the catchment education team to design, deliver, and evaluate programs for schools, teachers, adult learners, community groups, and corporate clients. You’ll foster partnerships across education, cultural, health and wellbeing, and environment sectors.

We need a self-starter with excellent communications and relationship building skills, who can grow our catchment education program in a way that reflects the needs of the ever-growing Merri Merri community. You’ll hit the ground running, leading our experienced catchment education team, and bring a creative flair and innovative mindset to the role.

This is a key role within the MCMC Management Team – joining our CEO, Manager Operations, and Manager Ecological Restoration.

A position description is attached with a more detailed description of the role and the Key Responsibilities.

ABOUT YOU

• You’re passionate about our environment, and the important role that community-focused and supported organisations have in protecting and restoring significant environmental assets.
• You have worked in small organisations, ideally not-for profits or for purpose businesses, with experience sourcing funding, developing new programs and projects, and growing service delivery.
• You have excellent communication skills, written and verbal, and are experienced delivering high quality education and engagement programs to target audiences. You’re creative and show initiative in the way you spot opportunities and make things happen.
• You don’t mind getting your hands dirty, and you’ll do what it takes to get the outcome needed – from responding to community inquiries to coordinating processes across the organisation. You love leading and being part of a small but growing team but are confident working independently.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AT MCMC

• A 35-hour work week for full time staff – 28 hours a week for this role.
• Flexible working arrangements, including work from home and a generous time in lieu policy
• Training and professional development budget
• Employee Assistance Program with included counselling sessions
• Generous leave provisions including:
  
  • Parental Leave - 14 weeks at full pay for primary carers and 3 weeks full pay for secondary carers
  • Compassionate Leave - 5 additional days on top of sick leave per occasion for a family member or person of significance
  • Paid study leave

Next Steps

To submit your application please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

MCMC is committed to creating a diverse and thriving community of women and gender diverse people working to nurture and restore our environment. People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, communities of colour, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities are encouraged to apply.

This position requires full and unrestricted rights to work in Australia.

Contact the Chief Executive Officer, Bernadette Thomas, via email ([email protected] using the subject line: Manager - Catchment Education and Engagement enquiry via EthicalJobs) or phone (0478 368 086) if you have any questions about the role.

Don’t wait! We are looking to hire ASAP, and applications will be reviewed as they are received, so apply now for the best chance to secure this role.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential:

1. Degree in education, environmental education, environmental science, conservation and land management, sustainability or similar and five years demonstrated experience in a similar role.
2. Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams, staff supervision, mentoring, and professional development with the ability to set clear priorities, delegate, and foster a positive culture.
3. Demonstrated experience in using creative approaches to initiate, develop, manage, and deliver effective education and engagement and/or citizen science programs focused on conservation, biodiversity, waterway health, and/or cultural landscapes and Country with people of all ages.
4. High level expertise in project and/or program management including experience with budgets and financial planning, systems and processes, monitoring and reporting.
5. Demonstrated experience and understanding of program development, diversification of program models, program growth, developing partnerships with diverse organisations, and developing community program funding models.
6. Demonstrated ability to lead business development, pursue and prepare funding submissions, quotations, and tender documents, and to manage and deliver projects within a competitive environment.
7. Ability to maintain a strong client service focus, and a high level of customer service and satisfaction from clients, local government, and stakeholders.
8. Excellent organisational, planning, and time management skills; ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
9. Excellent written and verbal communications skills and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships and partnerships with the community, clients, and staff from local government, and government agencies and departments.
10. Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, Sharepoint, social media platforms, and capacity to learn new systems.
11. Personal commitment to protecting and restoring the natural environment.

Desirable:

1. Experience in managing education and engagement programs for environmental and/or social justice not-for-profit, social enterprise, and/or for purpose organisation.
2. Knowledge of the Merri Creek and its tributaries and environs.
3. Ability to use CRM databases, CMS, undertake website maintenance, digital communications tools, create content for online platforms.
4. Knowledge and understanding of local colonisation, cultural heritage, and the relationship of Traditional Owners and First Peoples to Country.

A position description is attached.