Team Leader Bushland Management

Band 6 $97,411 - $106,180 per annum (plus super)

Permanent Full Time

About Us

Located 35km to the southeast of Melbourne, Greater Dandenong City Council covers 129 square kilometres and has a population of over 169,000 people. The central activities district is Melbourne's second largest retail and commercial centre and includes large shopping complexes at Dandenong and Keysborough as well as the highly popular Dandenong Market.

Greater Dandenong City Council is the most culturally diverse locality in Australia, with residents from over 150 different birthplaces, nearly two-thirds of whom were born overseas. Key industries include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, wholesale trade and transport.

We are a progressive organisation of exceptional character that offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment to approximately 900 employees. We recognise that our staff are vital to the delivery of excellent service to our community and the achievement of our long-term vision. We invest in the development of our people, and we strive to be a workplace that is respectful, engaged, accountable, creative and honest.

About the role

The City of Greater Dandenong is strengthening its commitment to conservation and ecological restoration through a renewed focus on bushland management. As part of a broader restructure within the Parks Services Unit, this newly defined leadership role presents a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team and deliver meaningful environmental outcomes for the city’s natural areas.

As Team Leader Bushland Management, you will lead the planning and delivery of bushland restoration and maintenance programs across a diverse network of conservation reserves and natural areas. Working alongside experienced Crew Leaders and contractors, you’ll oversee on-ground programs including weed control, revegetation, ecological burns, pest animal management, and other key bushland activities—ensuring alignment with reserve management plans and best practice ecological standards.

With a strong strategic foundation and a supportive leadership environment, this role offers the chance to protect and enhance local biodiversity, foster community and volunteer partnerships, and ensure the long-term health and resilience of Greater Dandenong’s bushland assets.

About you

You are an experienced bushland management professional and natural leader, with a passion for protecting and enhancing natural environments through high-quality ecological restoration. You’re ready to lead a skilled team, influence on-ground conservation outcomes, and play a key role in delivering Council’s vision for resilient and biodiverse natural areas.

You bring a strong understanding of conservation land management, ecological processes, and the delivery of restoration programs at scale. Confident in coordinating contractors, guiding internal teams, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, you have a proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to balance strategic goals with operational demands.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Council’s most valued environmental programs—supporting biodiversity, community connection, and long-term ecological resilience across Greater Dandenong’s bushland reserves.

Key requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in Environmental Science, Conservation Land Management or related discipline
• Several years’ experience working in local government or a similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience in Conservation Land Management, with experience in contract management with high level and problem-solving skills with the capacity to inspire and support innovative thinking.
• Demonstrated understanding of contract administration, including monitoring and OH&S requirements
• Knowledge and skills in contemporary management practices, staff management, performance management, staff development, change management and business excellence.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills, incorporating verbal and written communication, listening, liaison, advocacy, facilitation skills, as well as excellence in customer service delivery.
• Demonstrated capacity to effectively manage time, establish priorities, and achieve business and team objectives, despite conflicting pressures
• Demonstrated well developed skills in oral and written communication accompanied with computer literacy skills including the MS Office suite of programs as well as applicable Engineering Services software.

You may be required to undertake practical testing, work preference profiling / psychometric testing, functional capacity assessment (physical) or aptitude testing.

The successful candidate will be asked to produce a clear Working with Children Check and will be asked to consent to a national police check (and where relevant an ‘international criminal history check’), subject to the operation of spent conviction laws. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Benefits of working with us

Council believes in providing an environment where staff thrive, both in the work they do and in how they learn and develop as people and professionals.

Our workplace has an inclusive and diverse culture which encourages innovation and supports your work and life balance. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, develop and grow your career within our expanding and diverse organisation.

Our benefits include

• Competitive salary
• Salary sacrifice childcare (where available)
• Flexible working options supported including hybrid work
• Access to learning & development programs including study assistance
• Reward & recognition programs
• Health initiatives
• Access to our support and wellbeing programs
• A vibrant social club

For more information about our benefits, please visit our careers page: Working with Us

Council will consider flexible working arrangements for all positions. We embrace our diverse community and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability, and faith. Council will give due consideration to any workplace adjustments to accommodate the needs of any prospective or existing staff member.

Council is commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and promoting cultural safety and wellbeing for children with zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.

To apply

To apply for this position please complete the online application form including:

• Your resume
• A brief cover letter
• Response to key selection criteria

You will be required to answer selection questions as part of the application process. The selection process also includes the requirement for reference checks.

Position Description: TeamLeader Bushland Management – 311.8 KB

Applications close: 5pm, Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Further information: Jack Chittenden, 8571 1772