Mike Hill Fellowship

About the Mike Hill Fellowship

Mike Hill was a community leader, mentor, teacher, activist and visionary thinker across the environmental sustainability and local government communities in Victoria. His decades of community building have left lasting positive impacts, and his work included founding Moreland Energy Foundation (now Australian Energy Foundation) and the Victorian Local Government Association, and leading significant environmental action in the role of Moreland City Council’s first mayor. More information on Mike Hill’s life and legacy can be read here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/obituary-mike-hill-was-a-visionary-campaigner-for-local-democracy-20161130-gt16st.html.

One of Mike Hill’s many passions was to provide young people with opportunities to gain employment in environmental sustainability. The Mike Hill Fellowship is a new program that has been designed in collaboration between Australian Energy Foundation (AEF) and Moreland City Council to honour Mike Hill by building local champions for action on climate change.

The Fellowship is designed for recent graduates and postgraduates and will be a one-year appointment from January 2021 to December 2021. Applicants must live within the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action catchment area (i.e. within one of the following local government areas):

• Banyule City Council
• City of Darebin
• Hume City Council
• Manningham Council
• City of Melbourne
• Nillumbik Shire Council
• Moreland City Council
• City of Whittlesea
• City of Yarra

AEF and Moreland City Council are building on twenty years of collaboration to establish a Moreland Energy Innovation Lab (MEIL). The MEIL will be designed to overcome local barriers to action on key elements of the Moreland City Council 2040 Framework and will ensure the continuation of best practice energy innovation pilots in Moreland. The main responsibility of the Fellowship role is to project manage and deliver the pilot(s) developed as part of the MEIL.

The successful applicant (the “Fellow”) will implement a pilot project that aims to help meet one (or more) of the Moreland Zero Carbon 2040 Framework goals. The Fellow will be required to prepare a report or presentation for Moreland City Council and community on the project, what they’ve learnt and what’s next. The Fellow will build skills, networks and opportunities in the local community that will work towards further mobilising the community for action towards a zero carbon Moreland.

The Moreland Zero Carbon 2040 Framework goals include:

1. Moreland buildings that are lived and worked in are highly energy efficient – well insulated and built or retrofitted for comfort
2. Households and businesses generate, store and export renewable electricity locally
3. The national grid is powered by 100% renewable energy
4. Homes and businesses are powered only by electricity, following a supported phase-out of gas
5. Residents and businesses are proactive and engaged energy users and help to manage demand by smart use of electricity and local storage
6. Energy is often generated and traded at a community level, so everyone can access local, renewable energy even if they cannot produce it on their home.

What you will do

• Project coordination of Moreland Energy Innovation Lab pilot project(s)
• Stakeholder engagement with AEF, Council and community
• Produce reports and presentations

What an average week might look like

• Engage with the Moreland community on the Energy Innovation Lab pilot project
• Liaise with AEF and Council stakeholders on progress of the pilot project
• Execute activities for the successful delivery of the pilot project
• Track and monitor progress of project milestones and deadlines
• Generate project reports to distribute to AEF and Council stakeholders

How you will make an impact

Project manage an innovative energy project that will increase energy literacy, energy efficiency, renewable energy access and/or the energy transition in the local Moreland area. Build skills, networks and opportunities in the local community that will work towards further mobilising the community for action towards a zero carbon Moreland.

You will have

• Tertiary qualifications in sustainability, software development, mechanical engineering, arts, or similar disciplines
• A passion to build a career in renewable energy and or energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and community engagement
• Excellent verbal communication skills including the ability to adapt communications to identified need and discuss complex concepts in relatable language
• Ability to relate to people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, including engaging with vulnerable members of our community, in a respectful manner
• Ability to prioritise tasks and to work to deadlines both collaboratively and at times without direct supervision.
• Good knowledge of computer software including Microsoft Office and the capacity to quickly learn new systems.
• Knowledge of the energy market, current practices and technological developments in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

What’s in it for you

You will be surrounded by people who are driven by our vision of an equitable zero carbon society. In addition to contributing to making the world a better place, you will have access to:

• Financial incentives for sustainable commuting to work practices and end-of-trip facilities
• A versatile work environment with flexible hours and the ability to work from home
• Individual learning and development plans to assist in your career progression
• Additional annual leave options including paid leave over Christmas and the ability to purchase extra leave
• A Health & Wellbeing Program with access to EAP

AEF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We work with a diverse range of people and audiences at AEF. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other people of colour, people with a disability and people from the LGBTIQ community.