PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Westgate Park & Bili Nursery in Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne
Organisation Overview
Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare Inc. is a not for profit organisation established for the purpose of (a) enhancing and protecting the natural environment and its biodiversity and (b) educating our members and the wider community on the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment, urban biodiversity, and healthy environments by growing and planting locally indigenous plant species and encouraging volunteering and community engagement with the natural environment. It:
Provides revegetation and maintenance of locally indigenous plants for Westgate Park.
Operates Bili Nursery to produce and supply indigenous plants to Westgate Park, local government, landscape contractors and the community.
Advocates for biodiversity through planting indigenous species, for public open space and for members and the general community to volunteer and engage with nature
It is governed by an elected Committee of Management and its sub committees and has paid staff and volunteers.
Position goals
To manage the organisation and ensure it meets its operational requirements and strategic objectives
To develop business strategies that grow the organisation and continuously improve its financial stability
To advance biodiversity through promotion of indigenous vegetation and public engagement in nursery and park activities.
To measure the effectiveness of what we do
Key Responsibilities, Duties and Roles
General
Facilitate development and implementation of the Strategic Plan and regularly report progress to the Committee of Management and its sub-committees
Support the decision-making of the Committee with recommendations and business cases for new initiatives, as required and attend Committee meetings.
Identify operational and strategic risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Develop activities and programmes for community engagement
Make recommendations to the Employment, Volunteers & OHS Sub Committee in managing staff employment and overseeing volunteer recruitment.
Develop and adhere to the approved annual budget
Assist the Treasurer in keeping accurate financial records and reporting finances to the Committee
Ensure compliance with current laws, including OH&S and contractual obligations and report on these to the Committee
Specific Responsibilities
Provide support to the Committee and sub-committees in planning & development of the new works compound, community spaces and nursery
Allocate and oversee work priorities and schedules across the nursery and park, in consultation with the Nursery & Landcare Sub Committee, team leaders and the Volunteer Coordinator
Ensure that OH&S policies and procedures are effective in providing a safe, supportive working environment and comfortable working conditions for all staff and employees
Bili Nursery
Build and maintain trusting partnerships and relationships with councils, contractors, other nurseries and other Landcare groups to build the business
Grow the retail nursery business including online sales of plants, seeds and merchandise, workshops
Develop a propagation schedule and encourage customers to place orders in good time
Landcare
Deliver on the Landcare Strategy 2019 for plant maintenance and revegetation projects
Liaise with park manager as appropriate
Encourage community engagement in volunteering, citizen science and events
Business development
Oversee communications – website, online shop, social media, email communications – and marketing
Oversee grant applications and acquittal in consultation with Volunteer Coordinator and team leaders of Bili Nursery and Bili Landcare.
Maintain a good knowledge of best practice in nursery and revegetation activities and in current markets
Organisational Management and Team Work
Organise and lead regular team meetings and build a culture that encourages high quality work and relationships
Seek out staff development opportunities and actively participant in own role development opportunities
Conduct performance reviews of staff
Relationships and Accountabilities
Reports to:Committee of Management and Sub Committees
Supervises directly: Landcare & Bili Nursery Team Leaders
Works closely with: Landcare Volunteer Coordinator
Key relationships
Committee of Management, Sub Committees
Work for Dole service providers, members of the community, environmental groups, corporate groups, appropriate personnel in Local, State and Federal Government Departments
Accountability and extent of decision making
Required to regularly consult with and report to the Committee regarding overall work directions, operational plans and in the development of new initiatives and policies. (See Delegations Policy)
Is responsible for ensuring that appropriate regulations, standards and codes are adhered to together with relevant legal, professional, and ethical obligations and particular contract specifications
Key Selection Criteria
Qualifications in nursery management, conservation and land management and/or extensive experience in bushland revegetation.
Demonstrated team leadership and project management skills
Exceptional communication, interpersonal and liaison skills with a strong emphasis on building networks and relationships with key stakeholders such as community organisations, government bodies and internal personnel.
Ability to effectively relate to and engage with a wide cross section of the community and have a passion for local environments and keen interest to spread that passion to volunteers
Demonstrated understanding of and experience in adopting appropriate risk management and cost effective approaches to program delivery.
Proven ability to work autonomously as well as a part of a dynamic, targets and outcomes focussed team.
Other relevant skills, knowledge and experience
Excellent team and people management skills with the ability to engage with a cross section of the community
Understanding of local bushland regeneration techniques and plants.
Knowledge and experience in running a plant nursery
Effective negotiation, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills
Administrative skills including record keeping and IT
Excellent organisational and analytical skills
Skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising own work to achieve objectives efficiently within available resources and within a set time frame.
Good communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills
Ability to gain the co-operation and support of environmental and other community interest groups and organisations and interagency staff in the implementation of projects.
Ability to effectively liaise with and discuss specialist bushland techniques and nursery management and issues with counterparts in other organisations.
Ability to facilitate small group discussions to effectively resolve issues.
Experience in managing and coordinating volunteers desirable.
Current first aid and Working with Children certificates required