Laboratory Sustainability Officer

Location
Sydney NSW
 
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Salary packaging
 
Full job description
Job no: 533755
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Laboratory Technician
Employment Type: Full-time, continuing contract
Remuneration: Level 7 – from $113,926 + 17% superannuation
Location: Kensington, NSW (on-site / hybrid role)
About UNSW

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. The UNSW mission is to advance Progress for All globally, through transformative education, innovative research and meaningful engagement with people, communities and partners in Australia and around the world.

Why your role matters

Based in Estate Management (EM) within the Division of Operations, the Environmental Sustainability unit leads the development, implementation and monitoring of UNSW’s environmental sustainability strategies and partners with the UNSW community to embed sustainable practices across our campuses and operations.

The Laboratory Sustainability Officer helps drive sustainability at UNSW, with a focus on leading the University’s Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) program and contributing to broader environmental sustainability goals. The role leads LEAF implementation by engaging lab teams, coordinating activities, managing audits, maintaining resources, and awarding accreditations. They also contribute to wider objectives in areas like resource efficiency, emission reduction, sustainability awareness, climate resilience, and data analytics and reporting, with some flexibility over the precise focus depending on the skills and experience of the preferred candidate.

This role reports to the Head of Environmental Sustainability and has no direct reports.

About the Role

For this position, we are seeking a proactive, relationship-driven individual with relevant technical capabilities who thrives in collaborative environments and is passionate about driving sustainable outcomes. Accountabilities for the role include:

Plan and manage delivery of the LEAF program including participant recruitment, communications, direct support to teams and managing the online LEAF portal.
Conduct laboratory assessments to evaluate compliance with LEAF criteria, maintain records and assign Gold, Silver and Bronze LEAF awards to teams.
Maintain high-quality technical resources, guidelines and process documents.
Manage the collection and analysis of data for relevant KPIs and metrics, establish data governance processes and controls to support accurate reporting and communications.
Produce insightful and impactful outputs such as reports, presentations and data visualisations to highlight sustainability opportunities, engage stakeholders and guide effective action.
Develop and deliver targeted promotional materials and engagement content across various platforms (webpages, SharePoint, social media).
Organise and facilitate events including workshops, awareness sessions and awards events.
Cultivate effective working relationships with LEAF teams and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the achievement of environmental sustainability objectives and building a community of sustainable practice.
Provide expert advice on environmentally sustainable practices and issues, with a particular emphasis on laboratory efficiency, and support teams in implementing improvements.
Develop and manage project plans in support of environmental sustainability objectives, ensuring that time, cost, scope and quality requirements are achieved.
Contribute to the development of environmental sustainability policies, procedures and strategies outside of immediate areas of focus, as well as reports and rankings submissions.
About You

Relevant qualifications, ideally in a scientific, environmental or other research-based discipline with experience in laboratory operations, or other equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Demonstrated knowledge, experience, interest and enthusiasm for environmental sustainability and driving organisational change.
Knowledge and / or professional experience in other sustainability-related topics such as carbon reporting, waste reduction, circularity or behaviour change, and associated standards and frameworks (preferred).
Demonstrated technical experience in a wet laboratory, with an understanding of PC2 laboratory requirements (preferred).
Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build trust and influence diverse stakeholders and build strong relationships and networks.
Ability to develop succinct, impactful reports and presentation materials and contribute to maintaining external and internal webpages, SharePoint, and social media.
Strong data management and analysis skills and proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft 365 programs. Ability to produce impactful data visualisations would be highly regarded.
Ability to proactively plan and organise work and manage multiple objectives independently.
Proactive and highly motivated with a proven record of showing initiative and pursuing continuous improvements in systems, processes and reporting.
Knowledge and / or experience in driving successful organisational process or cultural change.
For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description.

How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before Tuesday 5 August by 11:55pm.


Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.


UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
Career development opportunities
Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
Flexible 17% superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)
Job queries contact: Tai James, Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: tai.james@unsw.edu.au (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

Position Description

Advertised: 25 Jul 2025 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 05 Aug 2025 AUS Eastern Standard Time

 

Australia
New South Wales
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