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Landcare Illawarra is looking for a new Coordinator, see below for details.

Applications close 12th April 2024

• Employer: Landcare Illawarra Inc.
• Location: Illawarra – working from home office with some travel required.
• Part-time position -21 hours per week, contracted until June 2027,  includes weekend work.
• Remuneration: Commensurate with experience. Pro rata salary starting from $78581

Organisation profile

Landcare Illawarra is a not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to helping the communities within the Wollongong, Shellharbour, and Kiama local government areas on the NSW South Coast deliver a broad spectrum of environmental protection and restoration activities. Our core mission is to bolster local efforts that aim to boost biodiversity on both public and private lands, encompassing the diverse and unique ecosystems from the Illawarra Escarpment to the sea, spanning from the Royal National Park to Seven Mile Beach. We cultivate partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including private landowners, local and state government agencies, and other non-profit organizations, all within the framework of the South East Landcare (SEL) federation.

Position/Role Objectives

The Local Landcare Coordinator(LLC) is responsible for providing support to and assisting with coordination of local community volunteer Landcare groups in Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour local council areas.

The Local Landcare Coordinator will work with the Landcare groups, the committee and community organisations to:

• support and empower them to achieve their own goals
• increase community engagement to participate in Landcare activities,
• increase the capacity and long-term viability of the groups to protect and enhance the environment.
• undertake planning, develop partnerships and secure resourcing through project grants and other sources
• improve financial sustainability and long-term viability by sourcing external funds
• partner with Local Land Services (LLS) and other Government agencies and organisations to deliver on the target outcomes of Landcare Enabling NSW (LNSW) Program.

Supported by, and working directly with, their host organisation, Landcare Illawarra, the LLC will directly interact with Landcare and agencies at the local district and network scale, collaborating with a range of Landcare support mechanisms including other Local Coordinators, Regional Coordinators, Regional Administration Support Officers, Landcare Committees, as well as with local and state Government and LLS.

Key Deliverables of a Local Landcare Coordinator:

Local Landcare group and network support and advocacy

• Community liaison – act as a central contact point for the relevant host organisation and other Landcare groups it supports to supply information to the public or members.
• Stimulate local community engagement and participation in Landcare.
• Provide support to groups, networks, Landcarers and landholders to participate in natural resource management activities that address critical agricultural, sustainability and environmental issues.
• Site visits and assistance in planning for groups and projects.
• Rostering and coordination of volunteers and members groups.
• Facilitating workshops, meetings and educational events
• Attendance and engagement with Landcare NSW initiatives including state muster, case studies and program reporting.

Host organisation support and capacity building

• Regular communication with members and volunteers which will include creation of newsletters and social media content.
• Managing databases of information from Landcare to utilise in projects.
• Assisting the Landcare Illawarra committee with governance and administration tasks
• Assisting in preparing grant submissions
• Communicating information on projects and group work to other members of the team/group
• Represent local group needs through participation in Regional and State Community of Practice
• Professional development as required

Reporting

• Monitor, evaluate and report on activities and outcomes.
• Facilitate linkages between Landcare activities/projects, Local Land Services and Landcare NSW through completion of case studies etc.
• Work with Host and local groups to develop and implement a Local Priority Action Plan
• Work with the Regional Coordinator to develop and support the implementation of Regional Priority Plan.

Reporting/Supervision arrangements

Position reports to the Landcare Illawarra executive within the South East Landcare network

Competencies

Essential skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Great time management and work efficiency skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to liaise and engage with a broad range of people effectively and maintain relationships.
• A strong interest in, and commitment to, local environmental and agricultural land management issues.
• A proactive and community-minded attitude.
• Valid Working With Children Check.
• A current driver’s licence and ownership of comprehensively insured car.
• Flexibility about working hours over the period of employment

Highly desirable skills and experience

• Social Media Skills – ability to create and implement regular communication across social media on various platforms.
• Experience in project planning, management, record keeping, report writing and grant writing.
• Excellent networking and stakeholder engagement skills
• Previous involvement with volunteer groups
• Sound coordination, administration, and computer skills

Selection Criteria

Please address each of the following criteria:

1. Sound understanding of natural resource management issues in the region and empathy with the local community and demonstrated experience or a qualification in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, CEM or similar.
2. Demonstrated well developed written and oral communication skills, including competency in the use of Word, Excel, email and social media.
3. Proven expertise in project planning, management, record keeping and report writing.
4. Demonstrated ability to work with and develop community groups, including group facilitation, action planning and mediation skills.
5. Proven ability to work and build relationships with Government agencies, community groups and landholders, including schools and Indigenous groups.
6. Demonstrated ability to work with minimum supervision, use initiative and work as part of a team or network.
7. Ability and willingness to work flexible working hours with regular weekend work, to contact  landholders, check-in with Landcare groups and attend workshops and community group meetings.
8. Ability to travel to musters, conferences and Landcare events outside the Illawarra.
9. Current Class C Driver’s Licence.
10. First Aid Certificate (or willingness to undertake training)

Additional Information

Landcare Illawarra is an equal opportunity employer, with employment under the South East Landcare network’s standard employment agreement or as negotiated. The provisions of the  Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 apply to this position.

Attendance at meetings outside of normal work hours may be required. Travel around the region and infrequent travel and overnight stays within NSW will be required. Ideally the LLC will live locally as the travel budget is limited.

You will be required to use your own vehicle for work purposes and provide us with copies of current Comprehensive insurance policies for your vehicle. Vehicle use will be reimbursed on a per kilometre basis.

This position requires you to work from home, a computer, phone and office supplies will be provided.

How to apply:

For further information about the position please contact the Landcare Illawarra chair, Emma Rooksby  0438 076 303  chair@landcareillawarra.org.au or Ailee Calderbank Landcare Illawarra LLC 0499 027 770 coordinator@landcareillawarra.org.au

To apply, please provide the following:

1. Brief covering letter, outlining why you seek this position (1 page).
2. Your current CV/resume (4 pages maximum).
3. Your claims against each of the selection criteria (4 pages maximum).
4. Contact details for 2 referees, which should include a current or recent employer or supervisor.

Applications to be emailed to chair@landcareillawarra.org.auClosing date: Applications close Friday, 12^th April 2024.