Principal Environmental Planner

SMEC is seeking a Principal Environmental Planner in North Sydney, NSW, with 15+ years of experience. The role involves developing planning approval pathways, conducting environmental assessments, and providing expert advice on environmental matters. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in gaining environmental approvals. SMEC offers a flexible work environment, professional development opportunities, and a diverse range of projects in infrastructure and renewable energy.
• Diverse and interesting projects
• Flexible work environment with attractive benefits and professional development opportunities
• Based in North Sydney or Parramatta

SMEC provides unique opportunities to work on iconic industry projects with experienced colleagues and leadership teams. Our diverse workforce of professionals are highly respected experts in their fields. Challenging boundaries, they look beyond the project scope to help shape a better future.

Infrastructure

At SMEC, we understand that our continued success is the result of building long-term client relationships. We listen and understand the specific needs of our clients and deliver a complete value chain of services to provide sustainable solutions across major infrastructure and renewable projects worldwide.

The Role

Our high-performing New South Wales environmental team is growing with a wide range of interesting projects and regenerative design. We are a large multidisciplinary company with iconic projects across renewables and energy transition, environmental impact assessment, dams & hydropower, water resources, ports and transport (road and rail).

Due to continued business growth and the award of new projects we are seeking a Principal Environmental Planner with a minimum 15+ years’ experience. You will deliver a variety of routine and complex environmental planning and assessment projects focussed in New South Wales, with opportunities to support interstate and international colleagues.

Your key responsibilities will be to:
• Develop planning approval pathways
• Deliver environmental impact assessments, approval applications and other studies
• Provide input, advice and expertise on environmental and planning matters as part of SMEC's infrastructure planning and design project teams
• Apply relevant Commonwealth, State and Local legislation, policies, and guidelines
• Develop technical solutions and provide technical direction to achieve improved environmental and sustainability outcomes on projects for internal and external clients
• Undertake technical reviews of environmental impact assessments
• Develop and support proposals and bids for securing new and ongoing work
• Produce high quality professional reports and deliverables
• Provide environmental advice and mentoring to less experienced staff

Ideal applicants will have/be:
• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science/Planning or similar
• 15+ years' experience within a similar role (ideally within a consultancy)
• REAP Accredited
• Solid experience in gaining environment approvals and statutory approvals for projects in New South Wales
• Proven project management and client relationship management capability
• Excellent communication skills, verbally and written
• Well-developed report writing skills
• Experience working with government clients preferred

What we offer:
• Flexible work arrangement to support work/life balance
• Opportunity to work alongside and be mentored by industry leaders
• Professional Development Programs through a mixture of inhouse programs and external courses as well as tertiary education financial assistance
• Dynamic career pathways and opportunities to work on projects nationally and internationally
• Purchased additional annual leave
• Generous paid parental leave (primary and secondary)
• Wellbeing benefits

Diversity and Inclusion

SMEC is proud to have been recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) in Australia as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. This citation recognises our active and ongoing commitment to achieving gender equality across our business, and recently we have worked to drive key improvements in flexible work practices, parental leave policies and learning and development programs.

We recognise the value and importance of a diverse and inclusive workplace and look for people with different backgrounds, skills and expertise to drive innovation and shared learning across our growing global network.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted online. To apply, click on the "Apply Now" link below and follow the prompts.

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact helen.kruimel@smec.com or phone on 0460 410 225

All recruitment activities go through our Recruitment & Talent function and currently, this role doesn’t require agency input. Please do not forward resumes directly to SMEC employees/managers; we do not accept unsolicited resumes and are not responsible for any associated fees.