SE712 Environmental Officer

Council has an exciting opportunity to join the Environmental Services team as the Environmental Officer.

The role of the Environmental Officer is to ensure that business activities have minimal adverse impact on amenities and the physical environment by providing technical assessment and advice to relevant areas of council operations on the relevant environmental legislation and council policies. The position will work across departments providing advice and support in this capacity to the Transport, Environment and Building Services departments.

This role is a full-time role, based in both the Molong and Cudal offices.

Working for Cabonne Council provides a rewarding opportunity to work for and in a close-knit community. The operation does not require shift work, instead working Monday to Friday, providing flexibility for the perfect work/life balance. The position operates over a 38-hour week with a 9-day fortnight.

An overview of the position's activities and responsibilities is provided below, for more detail please refer to the attached position description.

Duties & Accountabilities

• Coordinate Council’s relevant responsibilities under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act 1997, Contaminated Land Management Land Management Act 1997, Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and other relevant legislation and regulations to ensure compliance.

• Carry out onsite inspections, provide specialist advice and make recommendations in accordance with relation to environmental regulations and legislation.

• Thoroughly investigate environmental incidents/complaints and prepare relevant correspondence/notices/fines.

• Actively assist with audits for Transport for NSW Single Invitation Maintenance Contracts (SIMC).

• Preparation of Reviews of Environmental Factors under part 5 of the EP & A Act for council activities.

• Effectively Implement riparian management and flood mitigation strategies and coordinate riparian restoration projects.

• Manage and undertake council’s program of water testing of contaminated sites (landfill sites and former gasworks site).

• Contaminated land management.

• Conduct assessments on designated trees prior to their removal and make recommendations in accordance with council’s annual tree maintenance and hazard removal program.

• Ensure appropriate licenses and permits are granted and associated activities are implemented in accordance with those licenses and permits.

• Undertake effective management of declared pests and other ecologically significant invasive species on council managed land and provide training and/or tools to participating landholders to implement control measures on their properties.

• Identify key threats that significantly impact upon threatened species (both plants and animals) and develop and successfully implement strategies that support the long-term protection and conservation of these species within the Cabonne LGA.

• Ensure customer service requests are followed through and the actions and outcomes are adequately documented with electronic notes within Council’s records system.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Construction Induction Certification (White Card).
• Class C driver’s licence.

Desirable

• Tertiary qualifications in environmental science or a related field.
• Cert IV or higher in Conservation and Land Management or similar.

Skills and Experience:

• 2+ years’ experience in a similar role, preferably in a local government setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to, interpret and apply relevant legislation, standards, and guidelines.
• A sound knowledge of ecologically sustainable development principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering quality customer service and responsiveness to customer requests.
• Competent computer skills in Word, Excel and Access, MapInfo, QGIS, Reflect MMS
• Good written and verbal communication skills and ability to liaise with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to present concise, accurate oral and written reports.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to manage time, set priorities and organise own work.

Other details relating to this position:

• This position is a Grade 7 ($1310.10 - $1410.90 gross per week, depending on experience and qualifications).
• Access to fitness passport, Council's Employee Assistance Program, mobile phone and other benefits.
• Employment is under the Local Government (State) Award 2023.
• You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this job.
• Cabonne Council proudly promotes the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity.

Council's recruitment process consists of a range of pre-employment screening activities. This varies depending upon the position, but may include:

• Interviews
• Pre-employment medical
• Reference checking
• Checking validity of qualifications