Senior Environmental Team Leader

Are you an experienced environmental field leader looking to take greater responsibility for people, projects and conservation outcomes?

Acacia is seeking a capable and motivated Senior Environmental Team Leader to lead environmental field teams working predominantly across Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs and surrounding conservation areas.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone with strong environmental field experience, sound technical knowledge and the ability to coordinate people, resources and daily site activities. You will help ensure works are completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard while supporting the development of the people around you.

The position will have a strong focus on projects across Melbourne's outer east, including bushland reserves, waterways, conservation areas, parks and open spaces. Some travel to other project locations across greater Melbourne and regional Victoria may also be required.

About Acacia

Acacia delivers environmental field and consulting services across reserves, waterways, parks and open spaces throughout greater Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Our teams undertake sensitive weed control, ecological restoration, revegetation, vegetation management and sustainable landscaping to protect biodiversity and enhance natural environments.

As Acacia continues to grow, we are looking for experienced leaders who share our commitment to safe work, quality environmental outcomes and the development of capable and engaged field teams.

The opportunity

As a Senior Environmental Team Leader, you will generally lead a field team of three to seven people, with opportunities to support larger teams and major projects alongside other Team Leaders, Environmental Operations Leads and Project Managers.

You will provide practical, in-field leadership while also participating in environmental works. Your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating daily site activities, people, equipment and materials.
• Allocating tasks to appropriately trained and capable team members.
• Leading pre-starts, risk assessments, toolbox discussions and site safety processes.
• Ensuring work is completed in accordance with project specifications, environmental requirements and Acacia's HSEQ systems.
• Monitoring the quality, productivity and progress of works.
• Providing practical instruction, coaching and mentoring to field team members.
• Supporting the development of environmental and land-management skills within the team.
• Identifying and addressing safety, technical, environmental and operational risks.
• Maintaining accurate daily records, including timesheets, chemical records, equipment checks and work outcomes.
• Supporting Project Managers and Environmental Operations Leads with planning, estimating and site information.
• Communicating professionally with clients, stakeholders, suppliers and members of the public.
• Identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity and environmental outcomes.

This is a practical leadership position, and you will continue to work alongside your team in outdoor and physically demanding conditions.

About you

You will be an experienced environmental field practitioner who can confidently lead people while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and client outcomes.

You will ideally bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading environmental field teams, projects or programs of work.
• Strong experience in conservation, land management, ecological restoration or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of weed control, herbicide application and revegetation techniques.
• Strong native and introduced plant identification skills.
• Experience coordinating people, equipment, materials and daily work programs.
• The ability to provide clear instructions, practical training, coaching and feedback.
• Strong safety awareness and experience managing field-based risks.
• Sound problem-solving skills and the confidence to make practical decisions on site.
• Good written, verbal and digital communication skills.
• The ability to maintain accurate operational and compliance records.
• A professional and constructive approach when working with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.
• A current Victorian driver's licence.
• Australian working rights.

A relevant TAFE or university qualification in Conservation and Land Management, Environmental Science, Agriculture or a related discipline would be highly regarded. Extensive relevant industry experience may also be considered.

Other desirable qualifications include:

• ChemCert or equivalent chemical-use training.
• ACUP permit.
• Construction Induction Card or White Card.
• Current first aid certificate.
• Chainsaw operation and maintenance training.
• Experience using GPS, mapping applications and digital field-management systems.

Applicants do not need to meet every desirable criterion. We are interested in experienced environmental leaders who demonstrate sound judgement, strong people skills and a commitment to delivering quality field outcomes.

What we offer

• A senior, hands-on leadership role within a growing environmental organisation.
• The opportunity to lead works across some of Melbourne's outer east's most significant natural areas.
• Varied projects across bushland reserves, waterways, conservation areas, parks and open spaces.
• The opportunity to build specialist environmental and leadership capability.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Career pathways into broader operational, project-management and technical roles.
• Competitive above-award remuneration based on experience, knowledge and qualifications.
• A supportive team committed to safety, quality and meaningful conservation outcomes.

Further information about Acacia is available on our website.