Senior Program Officer

The Australian Government's Department of Climate Change is hiring a Senior Program Officer for the Environmental Contamination Advice and Standards Section. This APS 6 role, based in South Australia, involves managing stakeholder relationships and supporting the Commonwealth Contaminated Sites Advice program. Responsibilities include stakeholder engagement, data strategy development, and public information support. The position offers flexible work options but is city-based.
• APS 6 - $95,438 - $108,360 per annum plus superannuation
• Environmental Permitting and Compliance Division
• Adelaide, SA,Brisbane, QLD,Canberra, ACT,Melbourne, VIC,Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW
• Contribute to the protection of our land, water, air and wildlife for the benefit of all
• Work in a motivated and professional team with a wide range of skill sets and backgrounds
• City based location with flexible work options

Who we are
Australia’s national Environmental Permitting and Compliance Division works to protect our environment from the harmful effects of pollution. We work closely with our regulated communities to minimise the environmental and human health impacts of hazardous wastes, substances and pollutants. We lead the administration of a broad range of regulation to manage waste and recycling, air quality, ozone depleting gases, and wildlife trade

The Wildlife, Waste and Environmental Permits Branch delivers government priorities across a number of sections to regulate waste exports, hazardous waste, the national television and computer recycling scheme, air quality emission standards, environmental contamination, sea dumping and wildlife trade. We work to conserve, protect and sustainably manage our environment for the benefit of the Australian and international community.

The Environmental Contamination Advice and Standards Section is tasked with delivering a high profile and fast-moving agenda addressing site contamination at Commonwealth and other sites. The section provides scientific and technical advice to Commonwealth entities, other areas of the department, and external stakeholders on a range of contamination issues including asbestos, biological agents, dioxins, heavy metals, PCBs, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, radionuclides, and unexploded ordnance.
The section also leads delivery of a range of key environmental initiatives including:
• Delivering the Commonwealth Contaminated Sites Advice (CCSA) Program
• Coordination and development of national environmental guidance and standards
• National coordination of the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan
• Leading Commonwealth implementation of the Assessment of Site Contamination National Environment Protection Measure (ASC NEPM).

For more information about us please visit our website.

The job
The department is seeking an APS 6 level Senior Program Officer for the Environmental Contamination Advice and Standards Section to support the CCSA program of work. The role will involve work to support the management of key stakeholder relationships, including Commonwealth entities, internal stakeholders, and state and territory environment regulators. The day-to-day activities will revolve around: managing stakeholder engagement; managing the flow of requests for advice; supporting the development of data and reporting strategies for contamination on commonwealth sites, developing public and internal information to support Commonwealth entities to identify, diagnose and address chemical contamination; and supporting ongoing engagement activities such as communities of practice and inter-jurisdictional committees. Your enthusiasm for the importance of this program of work, ability to grasp new technical issues and be able to explain them in plain English to non-technical audiences, and client relationship management skills will support this program to achieve its objectives.
The duties of the role include:
• Support the development and coordination of CCSA program activities and the collection, analysis and reporting of contamination data
• Under limited direction, support stakeholder engagement activities, including collaboration with Commonwealth, state and territory, and local government, industry, and research organisations
• Prepare a range of written materials including briefing notes, memorandums for approval, external correspondence, discussion papers and reports relative to the CCSA program initiatives
• Contribute to the work of the ECAS Section, including meetings, workshops, briefings, submissions, and record keeping, including provision of support for section projects and activities.

What you’ll gain from the experience
Working with the Environmental Contamination Advice and Standards Section you can expect to gain valuable experience in a collaborative and motivated team working to improve Australian environmental health. We offer opportunities to develop transferable skills like communication, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement, and a supportive environment for professional growth with learning and development prospects. This Australian Public Service position provides the opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable Australia while building your professional capabilities.

What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
• Demonstrated client relationship / stakeholder management skills, including the ability to collaborate to build and develop productive relationships to achieve organisational goals
• Experience developing written advice, including briefs and ministerial correspondence, as well as public facing materials such as web content, talking points, or stakeholder responses.
• An interest and/or experience in environmental policy/program development.
• Experience interpreting complex and technical information, managing competing priorities, and organising work in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others to develop creative and practical team-based solutions

Desirable qualifications
• Tertiary qualifications in. earth sciences, ecotoxicology, chemistry, environmental science, ecology, statistics, or environmental or chemical engineering management would be beneficial but not essential.

Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

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