How to Apply for a Senior Sustainability Job with NSW Government

Looking for a high-impact sustainability job in the NSW Public Sector? This role might be your next step.

As the Senior Manager, Sustainability at Barangaroo, you’ll shape the long-term environmental strategy of one of Sydney’s most iconic precincts—leading carbon neutral certification, engaging stakeholders, and managing large-scale sustainability initiatives.

This opportunity is ideal for experienced sustainability professionals with a passion for strategic leadership and measurable outcomes. The included example cover letter and checklist will help you put forward a standout application.

If you’re new to public sector recruitment, check out this unofficial guide to NSW Public Sector recruitment for more insider tips and context.

Senior Manager Sustainability Job Salary Details and Overview

Position Title	Senior Manager, Sustainability
Organisation/Entity	Crown Lands and Public Spaces (Placemaking NSW)
Job Location	Harrington Street, The Rocks, Sydney
Work Type	Full-Time (35 hours/week)
Base Pay	$145,378 to $168,130 + Super
Closing Date	15 June 2025 – 11:55 PM

About the Senior Manager Sustainability Opportunity with Placemaking NSW

Placemaking NSW manages iconic Sydney precincts like Barangaroo, The Rocks, and Darling Harbour. As Senior Manager, Sustainability, you’ll oversee the precinct’s carbon neutral certification and broader environmental goals. Your role is central to maintaining Barangaroo’s international reputation for sustainable design and operations.

This role is responsible for managing the ongoing sustainability operations of the Barangaroo Precinct, ensuring its continued leadership in environmental performance. The position leads the precinct’s annual Climate Active Carbon Neutral Certification, oversees carbon offsetting, and drives the delivery of Barangaroo’s broader sustainability commitments. It involves working closely with building owners, tenants, consultants, and regulatory bodies, while also managing contracts and aligning long-term precinct goals with best practice in sustainability systems, technology, and reporting.

This role has the following challenges:

• Managing complex reporting and compliance under Climate Active certification standards
• Coordinating with multiple stakeholders including tenants, regulators, and commercial operators
• Driving long-term sustainability strategy while meeting short-term deliverables
• Maintaining high standards of carbon accounting and emissions transparency

Why This Sustainability Job is a Great Opportunity

This role is a great opportunity for a senior sustainability professional with strong experience in carbon accounting, environmental compliance, and stakeholder engagement—particularly within complex, multi-tenant urban precincts or infrastructure projects.

If that’s you – here is why you should consider applying:

• Play a lead role in sustainability at a landmark public precinct
• Competitive public sector salary at Clerk Grade 11/12 starting at $145K.
• Opportunity to work in a full-time, ongoing role with flexible conditions
• Work with a diverse range of public and private sector partners
• Be part of a government team with a legacy of world-leading environmental initiatives

Application Requirements for the Senior Manager, Sustainability Role

Senior Manager, Sustainability Application Process

To apply, submit:

• A current resume
• A tailored cover letter outlining your interest and suitability

There are no target questions listed for this role.

What To Write About In Your NSW Government Cover Letter

Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate why you’re a strong fit for the role by aligning your experience with the key requirements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure examples that show how you’ve delivered tangible results in similar contexts.

Focus on addressing the following capabilities and experience areas outlined in the job ad:

• Sustainability leadership and carbon accounting – Highlight your experience managing carbon neutral certification programs such as Climate Active, and your ability to oversee emissions data with accuracy and integrity.
• Applying sustainability in complex environments – Provide examples where you’ve successfully delivered environmental outcomes across urban renewal projects or multi-stakeholder precincts.
• Contract and project management – Showcase your ability to manage commercial contracts and coordinate the delivery of sustainability-related services or infrastructure projects on time and within budget.
• Offsetting and reporting – Detail your role in emissions offsetting, procurement of offsets, and managing transparent reporting systems.
• Stakeholder engagement – Share how you’ve worked effectively with a wide range of parties—building owners, tenants, consultants, regulators, and internal teams—to align on and deliver shared sustainability goals.
• Strategic thinking and long-term planning – Illustrate how you’ve translated best practice into practical, scalable actions, contributing to the long-term environmental aspirations of a site, project, or organisation.

Plus, you will need to address this essential requirement:

• Tertiary qualifications in sustainability management and practice, commercial, contract or project management, or equivalent professional experience.

Make sure each example is related directly to these requirements and reflect your impact in previous roles. This structured approach will help you stand out to NSW Government recruiters.

Get started immediately with this free NSW Government cover letter template.

NSW Sustainability Senior Manager Application Checklist

✅	Download and use the free public sector cover letter template
✅	Demonstrate experience using STAR examples
✅	Clearly address the Essential Requirements from the job ad
✅	Submit your resume and a tailored cover letter via IWorkForNSW
✅	Get your cover letter reviewed — only $39

Candidate Profile This Senior Sustainability Job in Government

Emma is an experienced environmental advisor with 8 years of experience in large-scale infrastructure and commercial precincts. They’ve led carbon reporting initiatives and recently delivered a certified carbon neutral portfolio. They’re now looking to bring this expertise into a high-profile public sector role and are excited about contributing to Barangaroo’s future.

Click here to download a free public sector cover letter template

Example Cover Letter For NSW Government Sustainability Role

How To Use The STAR Method In Government Sustainability Job Applications

The STAR method is a structured approach used to clearly demonstrate how you’ve handled real work situations. It stands for:

• Situation – What was the context or background?
• Task – What were you responsible for?
• Action – What did you do to address the task?
• Result – What was the outcome of your actions?

This approach helps hiring panels assess your capabilities in action, rather than just reading a list of duties.

Here’s the paragraph from Emma’s cover letter:

In my previous role at a national property group, I led the successful carbon neutral certification of a $1.2 billion precinct portfolio under Climate Active. The challenge was coordinating data collection across five buildings and 20+ tenancies. I developed a shared emissions data platform, aligned all teams on consistent inputs, and led the audit process. As a result, we achieved certification three weeks ahead of deadline with no non-conformances—an outcome that raised the organisation’s external ESG rating.

Now, let’s break it down using STAR:

• Situation: Emma was responsible for delivering Climate Active certification for a large precinct worth $1.2 billion, involving five buildings and over 20 tenants.
• Task: She needed to manage complex data inputs across multiple stakeholders to complete carbon reporting and achieve certification.
• Action: Emma created a centralised emissions data platform, aligned input processes, and led the audit process.
• Result: The project was certified three weeks early, with zero audit flags, and contributed to an uplift in the organisation’s ESG rating.

This STAR response clearly:

• Demonstrates capability in carbon accounting, stakeholder coordination, and project delivery
• Shows the impact of her work (early certification + improved ESG rating)
• Reflects a core requirement of the advertised role (leading carbon neutral certification)

Using the STAR method like this ensures your examples are detailed, focused, and easy for NSW Government hiring panels to assess against the role’s capability framework.

Preparing for a Government Sustainability Interview

Government interviews aren’t just about what you’ve done — they’re about how you’ve demonstrated key capabilities in real-world situations. For a role like Senior Manager, Sustainability, expect questions that focus on your ability to lead initiatives, collaborate across sectors, and solve complex problems aligned with long-term environmental goals.

To prepare effectively:

• Review the Focus Capabilities listed in the role description (these often include Deliver Results, Think and Solve Problems, Manage Self, and Influence and Negotiate).
• Map your experience to each capability — especially areas like project delivery, carbon reporting, stakeholder engagement, and environmental planning.
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your talking points and examples.
• Practise your responses out loud — clarity and structure count as much as content.
• Bring your examples back to impact: How did your work improve the sustainability outcome, reduce risk, or build long-term value?

---

Likely Interview Questions for a Senior Sustainability Job

Here are five questions you could be asked — each aligned with NSW Public Sector capabilities:

1. Deliver Results
   “Tell us about a time you led the delivery of a complex sustainability initiative. How did you ensure it met expectations and stayed on track?”
2. Think and Solve Problems
   “Describe a situation where you had to solve a challenging issue related to emissions data or environmental reporting. What steps did you take?”
3. Influence and Negotiate
   “Give an example of how you negotiated or influenced stakeholders — such as tenants, consultants, or regulators — to align on sustainability targets.”
4. Manage Self
   “Government roles often involve shifting priorities. Can you share how you’ve managed pressure or competing deadlines in a sustainability-focused project?”
5. Strategic Thinking
   “Describe how you’ve contributed to long-term environmental or sustainability planning in a precinct or organisation. What was your impact?”

---

🎯 Start preparing like someone who plans to get the job.

Book a Practice Government Interview Session with Team 3Thirty and get high-impact prep tailored to the exact role. I’ll give you real questions, expert feedback, and proven strategies based on NSW Government interview standards. Click here to book your Practice Interview Session – it’s the fastest way to walk in confident and walk out shortlisted.

Start your government job application now

You don’t need to overthink the next step — just start.

✅ Click here to apply now via IWorkForNSW

But before you hit submit:
Most applicants fail to communicate their value clearly — even if they’re highly qualified.

That’s where I come in.

🎯 Get your cover letter and STAR examples reviewed by a real NSW Government hiring manager. I will make sure your application hits every mark, so you don’t waste the opportunity. It’s just $39 — and will absolutely boost your chance of landing an interview.

👉 Get your cover letter reviewed now