The Zero Carbon Buildings Officer helps move Melbourne’s existing building stock towards lower emissions. The role supports projects that encourage retrofits, electrification and adaptive reuse, combining practical building advice with program delivery and collaboration across the council and the city’s property sector.
This work connects climate targets to decisions about buildings already in use. Improving energy performance and reducing whole-of-life and embodied carbon can support the City of Melbourne’s zero-emissions goal while helping make the built environment more resilient. The Retrofit Melbourne Plan provides a local policy context for that work, with outcomes shaped by cooperation among owners, industry and government.
This suits someone who can turn building sustainability knowledge into workable projects, explain technical issues clearly and build constructive relationships with varied stakeholders. A background in sustainability, environmental management, planning, policy or a related field would fit the role’s mix of technical advice, project coordination and public-sector climate action.
Job FAQs
What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?
The officer contributes to projects and programs that advance building retrofits, electrification, adaptive reuse and zero-carbon-ready outcomes. This includes coordinating trials and partnerships, identifying practical building-performance improvements, and offering technical advice on retrofit opportunities and embodied carbon.
The role also involves building relationships with property owners, industry, government and community groups. Monitoring results and preparing evidence-based reporting helps the team assess progress and inform future initiatives under the Retrofit Melbourne Plan.
Key learning opportunities for this job
The role could deepen practical knowledge of building decarbonisation, retrofit planning, electrification and adaptive reuse, including how these approaches affect whole-of-life and embodied emissions. Working across projects, trials and partnerships may offer insight into how local government turns climate goals into programs for a complex city building stock.
Collaboration with industry and government could build experience in stakeholder engagement, public policy and translating technical analysis into advice. The source does not specify particular certifications or formal training, though the council describes career development support and study assistance.
How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?
A relevant tertiary qualification in sustainability, environmental management, urban planning, public policy, business or a related field is identified. The strongest fit would also bring experience with sustainability, climate or built-environment projects and a sound understanding of building performance, retrofit options, adaptive reuse and emissions reduction.
The role calls for clear writing and speaking, project management, and the ability to interpret complex information for practical use. Experience engaging businesses, government, industry and community stakeholders would be valuable, as would sound organisation when managing competing priorities.
Advice to stand out and make a successful application
Use the one-page cover letter to connect specific examples from your experience to building decarbonisation, retrofit, adaptive reuse or sustainable building performance. Explain your contribution and the outcome, such as a project delivered, a partnership developed or technical information translated into a practical decision.
Address the letter to Libby Phillips, Manager Zero Carbon Buildings, as requested. Include an example of engaging across different sectors, and show how you would assess evidence and communicate advice to varied audiences. Apply through the official online process and submit before the stated deadline.
What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?
The role is directly linked to reducing emissions from Melbourne’s existing buildings through retrofit, electrification and adaptive reuse. It is also likely to address environmental performance and embodied carbon, helping align building-level improvements with the City of Melbourne’s zero-emissions goal.
The work has a governance and collaboration dimension: projects and partnerships need to connect council priorities with decisions by owners, industry and government. Evaluation and reporting can help show which approaches are delivering measurable environmental outcomes.
What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?
Existing buildings can differ widely in age, condition, ownership and capacity for upgrades, so a single retrofit approach may not suit every project. The officer may need to weigh emissions reductions and building performance against practical constraints while supporting adaptive reuse.
Progress also depends on coordination among council teams, property owners, industry and government. Gathering reliable evidence, balancing competing priorities and translating technical findings into clear options could be recurring challenges.
How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?
A typical day could combine project coordination with technical review and stakeholder communication. The officer might check progress on a retrofit or electrification initiative, assess building-performance information, and prepare advice or briefing material on emissions reduction or adaptive reuse.
Meetings with council colleagues, building owners, industry representatives or government agencies could shape project delivery and partnerships. Time may also go to tracking outcomes and reporting evidence, with priorities shifting as trials and programs develop.
What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?
The role could build a strong specialization in building decarbonisation, including retrofit, electrification, adaptive reuse and embodied carbon. Managing projects and partnerships may also develop skills in public-sector program delivery, policy implementation, evaluation and communication of technical evidence.
Experience across the Climate Change and City Resilience Branch could provide a foundation for future work in climate strategy, sustainable buildings or broader city resilience programs. The posting mentions career development support and study assistance, but does not specify a formal promotion pathway.
The main stakeholders you might be interacting with
Key stakeholders are colleagues in the City of Melbourne’s Zero Carbon Buildings Team and Climate Change and City Resilience Branch, along with other council teams involved in climate initiatives. The role also engages building owners and industry representatives to identify and advance practical building improvements.
Government agencies and community stakeholders are additional partners. Their input could help shape projects, trials and programs, while the officer shares technical advice, coordinates delivery and reports on outcomes.
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