EL1 - Assistant Director - Environment Regulation, Environment and Lands

The Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development is seeking an EL1 Assistant Director for Environment Regulation in Brisbane. The role involves regulating environmental management at the Western Sydney International Airport, working with technical experts and various stakeholders. The department values diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The position is not remote, as it is based in Brisbane and requires collaboration with the local team.
Contact Officer:

Frank Cardamone on 02 6136 7573 or Frank.Cardamone@infrastructure.gov.au

Closing Date:

11.59pm AEDT, Sunday 30 March 2025

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available

The Environment and Land section, is a dedicated, forward-thinking team that has a vacancy available for an assistant director. The team is responsible for the regulation, under the Airports Act 1996 (the Act), of environmental management and building activities at the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (the airport). Our team also has responsibility for offsetting the environmental impacts on listed matters associated with the construction of the airport and progressing a number of land matters relating to connecting infrastructure around and on the airport.

The airport site is leased to WSA Co Limited (WSA), the Government Business Enterprise, established to construct and operate the airport. Construction of the airport is nearing completion and operations are due to commence in 2026. The airport will be the first major airport to be built in Australia for several decades and the entirety of its operations were assessed as a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The statutorily appointed Airport Environment Officer (AEO) exercises regulatory functions under the Act and the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 (AEPR), monitor compliance with environmental conditions under the Act, and liaises with WSA and their tenants on environmental issues, working closely with the Airport Building Controller (ABC). Similarly, the ABC is a statutorily appointed role which performs regulatory functions under the Act and the Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1997. Both the AEO and ABC functions report to the team and we also work closely with our counterparts across the department managing these functions for the other 19 leased federal airports.

The team encounters some pretty unique and complex regulatory matters relating to the construction and operation of the airport. We are a mix of specialists and generalists and where needed we bring in external technical expertise to progress complex environmental matters. We aim to apply best practice regulatory principles to our work and in some cases the unique and complex nature of our work requires us to develop operational policy to progress regulatory matters in a consistent and transparent manner.

What will you do?

The successful applicant will work with the team, AEO, ABC, technical consultants and counterparts across the department to progress the regulation of environmental management at the airport. The role will include working with technical experts to manage assessment and decision making processes under the Act and the AEPR. You will build strong relationships with the environment team at WSA with a focus on providing counsel and feedback to help them understand the regulatory framework they operate in. You will also work with your peers across the department to provide input into the development of a regulatory compliance framework and compliance procedures, tools and templates based on the experience you gain working on the unique matters you encounter whilst regulating an airport under construction.

Specific tasks may include:
• Promoting and applying consistent and accurate interpretations of environmental management aspects of legislation, including:
• Airports Act 1996
• Airports (Environmental Protection) Regulations 1997
• Airports Regulations 2024
• Airports (Building Control) Regulations 1996
• Drafting and maintaining a risk register for environmental compliance actions on the airport site.
• Interpreting and applying legislation to support complex, sound, and timely decisions.
• Enforcing regulatory compliance on complex issues while engaging consistently and appropriately with risk.
• Engaging with technical experts to develop and provide advice on strategic and technical regulatory issues including where appropriate contributing to developing evidence based policy positions in relation to updating the regulatory framework.
• Managing reporting obligations by WSA and other entities on the airport site, including Sydney Metro.
• Providing accurate, nuanced and strategic advice on compliance and enforcement matters to stakeholders (ABC, AEO, WSA) that is consistent with the relevant legislation, internal policies, our regulatory posture and departmental risk settings.

You may also be asked to supervise an APS 6 who is progressing a number of priority land matters for the team.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 1 Work level standards.

Although desirable an environmental or aviation background is not required. Instead, we are seeking a candidate who is outcomes driven, accountable and future focused. You will also demonstrate, or have the potential to develop, the following:
• The ability to work effectively in a technical and complex policy environment, quickly develop subject-matter expertise and lead processes in accordance with policy, legislation, and operating frameworks;
• The ability to supervise and manage a professional work unit and provide expert advice and assistance to team members performing technical or professional work, and to display resilience;
• Engage and collaborate with key stakeholders to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate cooperation;
• The ability to communicate with influence and clearly articulate your message in written and oral form including the preparation of quality and timely submissions and briefings.

We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies in the branch.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner Experience performing a regulatory role, including an ability to interpret and apply legislation

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:
• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability, and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer?

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:
• Access to our Study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 14 March 2025
Applications close: 30 March 2025
Application shortlisting: 31 March 2025
Further assessments: 7 April 2025
Selection report finalised: 23 April 2025
Offers and announcements: 30 April 2025

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.
Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Sunday 30 March 2025.

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than 2 (two) pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than 3 (three) pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.
Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email DiversityandInclusion@infrastructure.gov.au

Work with us. Apply now!