AT A GLANCE

• Hours: Full Time (AEF welcome applications for part time/job share)
• Status: 10-month term
• Salary: $77,913 per annum + super (pro rata)

WHO WE ARE

The Australian Energy Foundation is a national for-purpose organisation that is leading the way to an equitable zero carbon society. We are practical visionaries; we accelerate the energy transition by empowering communities to take action.

Our vision is that all Australians have access to the affordable and clean energy they need to be healthy, have meaningful work, maintain financial stability, connect with their community, prosper through continuous learning, and live in a thriving natural environment. It is a society where everyone uses energy from 100% renewable sources.

Read about some of our success stories here.

WHAT IS THE MIKE HILL FELLOWSHIP?

Mike Hill was a community leader, mentor, teacher, activist and visionary thinker across the environmental sustainability and local government communities in Victoria. His decades of community building have left lasting positive impacts, and his work included founding Moreland Energy Foundation (now Australian Energy Foundation) and the Victorian Local Government Association, and leading significant environmental action in the role of Moreland City Council’s first Mayor. More information on Mike Hill’s life and legacy can be read here.

The Mike Hill Fellowship was established in 2020 by the Australian Energy Foundation (AEF) with funding from Moreland City Council (Council) to honour Mike Hill by building local champions for action on climate change.

To apply for the role applicants must live within the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) catchment area, which includes the following Local Government Areas:

Moreland City Council • Banyule City Council • City of Darebin • Hume City Council • City of Melbourne • Nillumbik Shire Council • City of Whittlesea • City of Yarra • Manningham Council

WHAT IS THE ROLE?

Some Moreland residents are missing out on the benefits of affordable and clean energy, partly due to a lack of information about energy in the home. Information has mainly been produced in English, assuming a high level of technical knowledge. In Moreland, over 30% of residents speak another language at home with the most popular non-English languages being Italian, Arabic, Greek, Urdu, Mandarin, Turkish and Nepali.

These residents have the opportunity to obtain significant bill savings and improved comfort via simple actions such as switching electricity or gas retail plans, modifying their use of appliances and implementing basic energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy.

The role will involve developing a community engagement plan targeted to the needs of one of these communities and providing residents with tailored support in their native language to empower households in reducing their energy cost. The plan is likely to include translation of AEF reading materials, representing AEF at community events and festivals and engaging with attendees and undertaking consultations with residents, at times in person.

This is a 10 month, Fixed-Term Contract role from April 2022 to February 2023. The role is available full time with potential for two part-time to candidates on a job share basis.

ON A TYPICAL WEEK, YOU MIGHT BE

• Presenting in languages other than English at local community events about energy efficiency
• Providing in-person home energy advice to residents about bill savings
• Joining the team for wellness activities like meditation and lunches
• Developing communications activities, marketing material and outreach planning.

• Meeting with community leaders to promote the program

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Design and provide culturally appropriate engagement and education to a community of Moreland residents on simple ways for managing energy use and costs at home, and the value of renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Helping residents overcome the barriers to taking up renewable energy and improving energy efficiency
• Contributing to the Vision and principles of a Zero Carbon Moreland, further mobilising our diverse community in the transition to efficient and 100% renewable energy.

What you will do:

• Empower residents to take the necessary steps to understand and reduce their household energy costs and use
• Collaborating with existing community leaders and organisations to begin integrating energy literacy/ support into their services
• Champion behaviours and community engagement that supports collaboration and richer outcomes

• Develop and implement a community engagement plan which informs, consults, involves, collaborates, and empowers the local community
• Lead the fellowship program from inception to completion, ensuring objectives, budgets and timelines are met
• Be an effective and engaged team member in line with the AEF values: Inclusive, Inspiring, Bright
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop engaging and high-impact community education events

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU:

• Experience in delivering community engagement and/or adult education programs
• Live within the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) catchment area
• Interest in and ability to learn and share understanding of energy systems, energy efficiency and renewable energy as relevant to residential setting (existing knowledge highly desirable)
• Speak both English and another language aligned to the most common spoken languages in Moreland

• Deep passion supporting the community and in working in sustainability
• Ability to relate to people from a diverse range of backgrounds including engaging with vulnerable members of our community, in a respectful manner
• Ability to prioritise tasks and to work to deadlines and budget, both collaboratively and often without direct supervision.
• Confidence to build networks and lead discussions with community partner organisations
• Passion for working collaboratively and fostering connection and growth within teams
• Creativity and resourcefulness to test and iterate activities to meet team and client need

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

You will be surrounded by people who are driven by our vision of an equitable zero carbon society. In addition to contributing to making the world a better place, you will have access to:

• A versatile work environment with flexible hours, supportive of hybrid (office/home) working
• Individual learning and development plans to assist in your career progression
• Additional annual leave options including paid leave over Christmas-New Year and the ability to purchase extra leave

• Pet friendly work environment, with the ability to bring your dog to work
• A Health & Wellbeing Program with access to EAP

TALK TO US

If you have any questions about the role, please send them to [email protected], using the subject line: Sustainability Fellowship - Mike Hill Fellow enquiry via EthicalJobs.

AEF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We work with a diverse range of people and audiences at AEF. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other people of colour, people with a disability and people from the LGBTIQ community.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Only applications that follow the process outlined will be accepted and considered for interviews which commence on 28th March. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.