Why work at Sustainability Victoria?
It’s official, Sustainability Victoria has been named one of Australia and New Zealand’s best places to work.
Sustainability Victoria has been ranked 1st on the 2023 AFR Boss Best Places to Work List in the Government, Education & Not-For-Profit sector and has also been recognised as one of the best organisations to work for in the 2023 HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice Awards.
Benefits
One of the greatest things people value about working at SV is knowing that we’re making a difference for the environment and the inspiration of working with other SVers who are passionate about what they do. At SV, you have the opportunity to work on exciting projects that encourage innovation, investment and growth in a new, low carbon economy.
We support professional development and continuous learning. We value our employees and encourage them to stay healthy and maintain a strong work-life balance. We also support our employees to live and act more sustainably in their homes and communities.
Our benefits include:
- Commuter club – myki (discounted rates for public transport)
- Onsite weekly yoga or pilates class
- Regular speakers on climate change, energy and resource recovery topics
- Confidential counselling service (Employee Assistance Program )
- Reward and recognition program
- All roles flex (flexible working options)
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Monthly social event
- Career connections and opportunities within the Victorian Government environment portfolio
We support our employees to develop skills and career goals through performance and professional development planning and provide access to study leave and flexible work arrangements. Benefits are reviewed annually and adjusted accordingly.
Culture
SV is a great place to work, where people skilled in science, education, law, economics and behaviour change work together to solve the sustainability issues of our state.
We consciously build our culture, aiming for a workplace that is achievement oriented and encouraging. SV is committed to providing an environment where all our staff feel they can proudly bring their full and authentic self to work and have their talents recognised.
We champion the values of the Victorian Public Service and demonstrates responsiveness, respect, integrity, human rights, leadership, impartiality and accountability in the work that we do.
Sustainability Victoria has a unique culture outlined in our OneSV values and behaviours.
We have a growth mindset
We have a spirit of continuous improvement, recognising that how we get there is just as important as what we achieve.
Behaviours:
- I take responsibility for my personal and professional growth.
- I treat every challenge as an opportunity to learn, embracing failure to help me improve.
- I approach my work with persistence, effort and determination.
We are insightful
We are confident and thoughtful in providing advice, drawing on our knowledge, expertise and a range of perspectives.
Behaviours:
- I build my case through data, evidence, analysis and best practice.
- I am curious and collaborative, seeking out different perspectives and ideas to inform my work.
- I am generous in sharing my knowledge, experience and expertise.
We are agile
We are flexible, redirecting our focus to where it is needed most.
Behaviours:
- I am realistic and anticipate change when setting expectations for myself and others.
- I embrace change and support SV's priorities as they evolve.
- I adapt how I work in different environments using feedback and emotional intelligence.
We are courageous
We are bold, speak up, and contribute constructively with positive intention.
Behaviours:
- I do not shy away from uncomfortable conversations.
- I ask questions and speak up when I need help.
- I am willing to take risks when the time is right.
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Find Your Flex at Sustainability Victoria
Presented by:
David Rudd
Inga Hamilton
Matt Genever
David Rudd:
At Sustainability Victoria, we’re committed to providing an environment where everyone can work in the way that best suits them. We’ve implemented a number of policies that support this, including flexible working hours, our Find Your Flex policy, and some special programs that you won’t find anywhere else in the VPS, including Summer hours, and Wellbeing days.
Our staff have embraced these policies, with 97% stating that their management supports flexible working, and 94% saying that what they do makes a worthwhile contribution. Our data shows that giving people the freedom and flexibility leads to increased engagement and satisfaction.
Inga Hamilton:
The Find your Flex policy has been really great for me because I save so much time in a day, travelling, or not travelling to work. There’s definitely a huge amount of time in my day that I get back and that I get to spend with my family which is such a positive.
David Rudd:
We recently implemented three wellbeing days which allow our staff extra time to focus on their wellbeing and their health. Last year we piloted our Summer Hours program where staff work slightly longer days but finished their weeks at 2pm on a Friday. This pilot was so successful that we will be rolling it out again this year.
Out Find your Flex policies allow staff to find a flexible working arrangement that works best for them, whether that’s flexible start or finish times, compressed working hours, part time work or even job sharing. We are open to all options here at SV.
Inga Hamilton:
My husband has some disabilities and we have a five year old who is pretty rambunctious. So on those days where my husband can’t help him to all the things that he wants to do as a five year old, I can step away from my computer and then go and play those games and things and then come back at a later time. And I love that flexibility of being able to fit in with my family, but also fit in with work.
Matt Genever:
Flexibility is really important to our staff at Sustainability Victoria. So as interim CEO, it’s really important that I lead from the front and lead by example. So for me that means I generally work from home on a Monday and a Friday. And then I’m in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
I also take advantage of our compressed hours opportunity. And for me that means working a nine-day fortnight. And on every second Friday, that really gives me more time to spend with my family, with the kids, helping out with school lunches, doing drop offs and pickups. And that’s really important for my work life balance.
When I’m here in the office, I try and use this space for exactly what it was designed for and that’s collaboration. So, when I’m here, I’m usually attending meetings like a monthly all staff meeting and really getting a sense of what’s happening around the organisation. I’m the type of person that really gets energy from connections. So, when I’m in the office, I’m connecting with SV staff. I’m understanding how they’re using some of our fantastic wellbeing initiatives, like a flexible working arrangements, our upcoming summer hours, and other wellbeing initiatives.
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