Who we are
 

The Environmental Contamination Advice and Standards Section is looking for people who are committed and passionate about protecting our environment. The 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 (PFASs), pesticides, radionuclides, and unexploded ordnance. The section also leads the delivery of a range of key environmental initiatives including:

• Leading Commonwealth implementation of the Assessment of Site Contamination National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM)
• Coordination and development of national environmental guidance and standards, including the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NMEP)
• Implementing the Commonwealth Contamination Sites Advice (CCSA) program.

The Job

The roles are to provide leadership support and management for environmental contamination advice and standards teams, including but not limited to: 

• oversight and management of the contamination data team’s activities and deliverables, including data governance, design and implementation of digital solutions, and capability enhancement for the contaminated sites assessment officers
• support the provision of technical contamination advice on major development projects being considered under the Environment Protection and Conservation Act 1999 and the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999.
• support the development and implementation of the Commonwealth Contaminated Sites Advice program, including oversight of product development, project reporting, and communication and engagement activities.

Skills, capabilities, knowledge and experience

• Ability to deliver key outputs and respond rapidly to changes while managing competing priorities
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, effective people management skills and proven ability in leading and supporting teams, including helping build their capability and confidence
• Possess excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to produce high level correspondence, briefing notes, and reports for senior level managers and decision makers 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated expertise in developing environmental data products to inform advice and regulatory compliance 
• Demonstrated ability to store and collate environmental data from an array of sources, intersect and manipulate data, and generate data reports, mapped products, and visualisations
• Demonstrated ability to develop or revise data governance policies and practices, including preparing guidelines, presenting to data governance structures, and engaging with stakeholders.

Desirable qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (eg data analysis, earth sciences, ecotoxicology, chemistry, environmental science, ecology, statistics, or environmental or chemical engineering management) is desirable.