Local recruitment: Senior Coasts & Estuaries Officer

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Together, we create thriving environments, communities and economies.

• Senior Coast and Estuaries Officer role
• Temporary full-time opportunity, Coffs Harbour, Alstonville or by negotiation within the North East Region
• Salary relevant to experience, and ranges from $111,595 to $124,315 + super

Exciting opportunity to support the Water, Floodplains and Coast team in the Biodiversity and Conservation Division (North East). The highly functioning team provide key technical advice and guidance to local councils, internal and external stakeholders on management of coastal, estuarine, and flood risk related issues in NSW.

About You

• You love working as part of a dynamic team focussed on assisting local government and stakeholder groups manage complex coastal issues including coastal hazards, ecological health, and social and cultural values.
• Play a senior level role in a multi-disciplinary team to champion, mentor, and influence to solve complex coastal and estuary management issues.
• Represent the Department in a range of forums to influence and provide expert advice on operational activities ensuring consistency with government policy and legislative requirements.
• Promote the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016 and implement coastal zone management policies and guidelines in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Provide guidance, mentoring and leadership to internal and external stakeholders on coastal and estuary management to ensure policies, programs and legislative requirements are interpreted and implemented consistently.
• Provide expert technical advice to local council’s including their coastal and estuary management committees in preparing studies and plans and supporting their implementation in the NSW North East Region.
• Assist local councils to seek funding for projects under the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, and to implement those projects. Assess projects technical suitability and priority and influence stakeholders to maximise project outcomes for coastal hazard risk reduction and protection and restoration of coastal zone environments.
• Provide advice for inclusion in Departmental responses to land-use planning and development control related matters and contribute to region-wide problem solving as required.
• Prepare high level reports, ministerial correspondence, briefing notes, advice to management and correspondence to internal and external stakeholders on a range of operational issues and provide high quality technical input into the development and review of Government policies and practice on coastal matters to ensure that integrated and sustainable outcomes are achieved.

Essential Requirements

• Appropriate degree level tertiary qualifications in engineering, natural resource management, environmental science, marine biology or related discipline.
• Current Australian Driver’s licence, Class C and willingness to travel.

To be successful in the role you will need:

• Extensive knowledge of coastal zone (estuarine and coastal) processes, hazards, threats, and management strategies with experience in data collection, analysis and report writing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of coastal zone management policy and practice including knowledge of relevant legislation, guidelines and policies and ability to represent the Agency.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community engagement strategies and ability to apply them to deliver successful coastal management strategies.

For more information read the full Role Description:  Senior Coast and Estuaries Officer

For more information hit Apply to visit the iworkfor.nsw.gov.au website.

About Us

The Department of Planning and Environment’s (DPE) vision is to create thriving environments, communities and economies for the people of New South Wales. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and seek to embed Aboriginal cultural awareness and knowledge throughout the department.

In our inclusive and accessible workplace, differences are embraced, contributions are valued, and everyone has a sense of connection and belonging. DPE supports various employee affinity groups, practice flexible working, offer job share and workplace adjustments. We are committed to the Premier’s Priorities and welcome applications from all.

Participation in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS)

Please read the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Protocol to understand if it applies to your circumstances. All applicants for this role and new employees with an existing defined interest in the BOS will be required to disclose their personal (or a close family member’s) participation to ensure potential conflict of interests are declared and managed appropriately.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role. DPE expects all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.

Please note, the Department has an office closure from 23 December 2022 to 9 January 2023 with recruitment recommencing from 9 January 2023. Candidates will receive an update on their application from this date onward. 

Applications close 20 January 2023 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role, please contact Ben Fitzgibbon, Senior Team Leader – Water, Floodplains and Coast on 02 8289 6318 or 0419 193 282

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

Our Diversity team can assist to:

• provide alternative formats to apply
• make adjustments to the recruitment process
• offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks

We encourage people with disability to apply. If you have disability and require more information on adjustments and assistance to apply, contact the Diversity team on Diversity@DPIE.nsw.gov.au  (please include reference number).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out Our Mob on Country https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/our-mob-on-country to see the work we do and get assistance in applying.