• Reports to: Energy & Storage Project Manager
  
• Remuneration: $65 - 75k pro rata plus 12% superannuation
  
• Tenure: 2 year fixed-term, 0.8 – 1.0 FTE
  
• Work arrangement: Flexible co-working/hybrid

Why YEF?

At YEF, work feels different. Engage in ground-breaking projects with others who show up because of a shared passion to make a difference for a zero-carbon future.

Be part of a team that values diversity and empowers each individual's unique contributions, celebrating the richness of different backgrounds and expertise.

Enjoy a hyper-flexible work arrangement, with access to a co-working space, in which we recognise our staff as whole people with needs to balance personal and professional worlds.

Join a team that supports your growth, professional development and celebrates your success every step of the way.

Learn more at yef.org.au

YEF’s purpose

The Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with big ambitions for a zero-carbon future.

Our Vision

Cleaner energy to address a changing climate.

Our Mission

Accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.

YEF’s three strategic goals are to:

• Increase energy storage.
• Support uptake of renewables.
• Enable electrification.

We enable individuals and communities to cut their energy emissions, and have established a leading position community energy storage, including launching Victoria’s first inner urban community battery.

YEF plays a unique and trusted role bringing together private and public partnerships to deliver better energy within our communities.

Project context

YEF is assisting a diverse mix of energy groups, governments, and businesses in the development of community energy projects, initiatives and programs enabling Australia’s renewable energy transition. Key areas include the planning and deployment of neighbourhood batteries, community engagement services, training programs, and residential solar and electrification programs.

Who we’re looking for

We’re after someone who:

• Has a growth mindset and could be a permanent member of YEF’s core team in the future.
• Has values that are aligned with YEF’s vision, mission and organisational goals.
• Is open-minded, ready to learn, reflect, and ask curious questions.
• Takes initiative, owns responsibilities, ask questions when unsure, innovates, and brings forward ideas.
• Can be flexible and is ready to roll up their sleeves when called upon.
• Is deeply passionate about addressing climate change, reducing emissions, and accelerating the energy transition.

Ideally, you have demonstrated skills in project delivery and stakeholder management. We are particularly interested in those who may have experience in the not-for-profit, sustainability, consulting, start-up and/or local government ecosystems.

You need to work well in a small and close-knit team that operates in a flexible co-working culture. You can demonstrate a high level of autonomy and agency, contributing to and benefiting from a friendly, and supportive team environment.

Objectives of this role

• Assist YEF to meet project deadlines and client expectations.
• Improve collaboration across the entire YEF team to foster innovation through sharing knowledge and connecting ideas and people.
• Enhance YEF’s capability to manage a diverse range of stakeholders for project delivery and activities that align with YEF’s mission.

Tasks and responsibilities

The role of the Project Officer is to contribute to and support project activities to successful completion. It may involve taking ownership of project deliverables, stakeholder facilitation, and producing reports and outputs for clients. In this role you would:

• Collaborate with the YEF team and external stakeholders in project delivery and provide the highest quality service to YEF’s clients and funders.
• Collaborate closely with YEF team members to ensure all relevant parties are informed of upcoming opportunities, risks, and deliverables.
• Work steadfastly towards YEF’s vision and mission while balancing and integrating a strong commercial focus in a not-for-profit environment.
• Continually seek out ways to improve our delivery processes and build YEF’s organisational capacity to offer value in the market.
• At times, represent YEF at events such as conferences and community meetings.

Examples of projects you might work on:

• Community energy feasibility studies and business cases.
• Community energy events and programs to support electrification.
• Delivery of community battery projects including site selection, connection, procurement, and operations contracts.
• Innovative vehicle-to-grid and microgrid pilot projects and studies.

Organisational relationships

Internal

YEF management and employees

External

Local councils, government, businesses, and industry stakeholders, public community, partner organisations, service providers and contractors

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or experience in relevant field(s).

Key Selection Criteria

• A clear passion for renewable energy and sustainability demonstrated by prior and current engagements.
• Prior experience working with and managing a diversity of stakeholders, such as suppliers, consultants, local governments, and government agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent teamwork skills, and ability to adapt to different working styles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
• An autonomous and confident approach for the execution of responsibilities and the ability to drive them to completion.

Highly Desirable

• Experience working in a small, not-for-profit ecosystem.
• A generalist who thrives working across disciplines and work functions.
• Strongly values aligned with YEF’s vision and mission.
• A basic understanding of electrical systems and/or strong ability to learn technical matters.

How to apply

Click Apply Now to submit your application. 

Project Officer Job Application Assignment

Context

Your local council is preparing to install a series of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the municipality. They’ve asked you to provide a brief recommendation on where to prioritise the first three charging locations. The goal is to support community uptake of EVs while ensuring equitable access and efficient use of public funds.

What you know:

• Local car ownership data shows higher EV uptake in wealthier suburbs.
• Apartment dwellers, especially in denser urban areas, often lack access to private charging.
• The council has budget for 3 charging locations in the first phase.
• Community surveys show strong support for EVs, but some concerns about visual clutter and parking availability.

Task

Prepare a briefing document (max 500 words) that includes:

1. Your recommendation for the top 3 EV charging locations in the local area and a brief justification for each location.
2. Consideration of community concerns and how your approach addresses them and/or identifying any limitations.
3. One additional recommendation to help support broader and equitable EV uptake in the community (beyond just infrastructure).

Guidance

You are welcome to make reasonable assumptions but should focus on presenting a compelling and clear response.

We’re looking for evidence of:

• Analytical thinking (weighing trade-offs, interpreting community needs)
• Clear communication (organising ideas, clarity, tone)
• Critical thinking (addressing equity, public perception, and long-term impact)

A position description is attached.