This targeted position is only open for Western Australian Public Sector employees

Join Us in Shaping Western Australia's Future

At the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, we’re not just hiring, we’re building the future. As Western Australia embarks on a bold agenda to remain the strongest economy in the nation, we play a critical role in delivering on government priorities: supporting sustainable development across the state, enabling renewable energy, protecting our environment, and securing our water future.

We are an influential and future-focused organisation, working at the intersection of science, policy, and community. We’re guided by good science, cultural knowledge, and a values-based culture that reflects who we are and how we go about our work.

If you're driven to make a real impact, whether it's supporting industry transformation, driving innovation in environmental regulation, enabling clean energy, or restoring waterways we invite you to bring your talent, your ideas, and your commitment to a team that’s delivering for today and planning for tomorrow.

Be part of something bigger. Be part of DWER.

We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference

Find out more about us by visiting our website at www.dwer.wa.gov.au

The Opportunity

This opportunity is open exclusively to current WA public sector employees. We encourage eligible employees seeking to progress their careers within the sector to apply.

This is a fixed term full-time opportunity for six (6) months with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.

We are seeking an experienced and influential leader to guide one of Western Australia's most significant environmental approvals portfolios during a period of unprecedented growth in renewable energy and critical minerals development.

This is a unique opportunity leading a team responsible for the assessment and progression of major projects across Western Australia.

This role operates within a fast-paced and evolving environment, where priorities shift, project pipelines expand and stakeholder expectations continue to increase. It is a role that is both highly rewarding and inherently challenging.

The successful applicant will bring a strong track record in environmental approvals, budget and schedule management, proven leadership capability, and the ability to deliver outcomes through others. You will be comfortable navigating complexity, managing competing priorities and driving outcomes across a broad and interconnected system.

You will:

• Lead a high-performing team responsible for delivering environmental assessments for some of Western Australia's most significant and complex proposals.
• Create the conditions for success through strong leadership, clear direction and a focus on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Guide the delivery of competing priorities across a diverse portfolio, ensuring quality outcomes are achieved in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Build trusted relationships with project proponents, the EPA, State and Commonwealth agencies, Executive Government and community stakeholders.
• Influence strategic decision-making by bringing together technical expertise, sound judgement and a solutions-focused approach.
• Foster capability and develop future leaders, empowering others to deliver meaningful outcomes for Western Australia.

Who We're Looking For

1. Environmental Assessment Expertise:

You bring extensive experience in environmental impact assessment and a strong understanding of environmental approvals frameworks, legislation and regulatory processes. Your technical expertise is complemented by sound judgement and strategic thinking, enabling you to provide clear, balanced and evidence-based advice on complex environmental matters. You can see both the detail and the bigger picture, helping guide decisions that support sustainable outcomes.

1. Leadership and Delivery Through Others:

You are a leader who achieves results through people. Rather than becoming involved in every issue, you create an environment where individuals and teams can perform at their best. You set clear expectations, foster accountability and support capability development, while providing the direction and confidence needed to navigate complex challenges. You know when to ask the right questions, challenge thinking constructively and empower others to succeed.

1. Stakeholder Influence and Executive Engagement

You build trust and credibility with ease, engaging effectively with senior stakeholders across government, industry and regulatory environments. An accomplished communicator, you are able to navigate differing perspectives, influence decision-making and maintain productive relationships while keeping a clear focus on achieving outcomes.

1. Leading Under Pressure and Managing Competing Priorities

You remain composed and effective when faced with competing priorities, demanding stakeholders and tight timeframes. You bring clarity to ambiguity, make sound decisions and help others stay focused on what matters most. Your ability to balance priorities, manage expectations and maintain momentum enables you to deliver outcomes in complex and dynamic environments.

What’s on offer:

This opportunity will suit a leader who is motivated by impact, energised by complexity and committed to helping others succeed. While technical credibility in environmental assessment is important, success in this role will be defined by your ability to lead through influence, build trust with stakeholders, develop people and create the conditions for high-quality outcomes.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead a critical function at the intersection of environmental decision-making, economic development and Western Australia's energy future.
• Influence outcomes on projects of State significance, working with senior decision-makers across government, industry and the community.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing team through a period of growth, complexity and opportunity.
• Contribute to a diverse portfolio of major projects, including renewable energy, critical minerals and other initiatives shaping the future of Western Australia.
• Take on a visible leadership role where your ability to build capability, foster accountability and navigate complexity will make a lasting impact.
• Join a purpose-driven environment where collaboration, sound judgement and professional leadership are highly valued.

We are seeking a confident and authentic leader who brings clarity, sound judgement and a strong sense of accountability. Someone who can unite specialist expertise around a common purpose, foster a positive and high-performing culture, and empower people to do their best work in service of the community and Western Australia.

We are committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce that promotes an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. We value the unique diversity of experience that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women and youth bring to our workforce.

We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference

For further information about the opportunity, we encourage you to contact Sasha Pendal, Deputy Director General Approvals on (08) 6364 7448 or via email sasha.pendal@dwer.wa.gov.au.

How to apply

If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in this opportunity, please apply online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button (above or below) and provide the following in Word or PDF format:

• A copy of your Bachelor of Science qualification (degree and transcript) in an environmental related field.

Applicants who consider their degree is equivalent to a Bachelor of Science may be asked to confirm and evidence equivalency from the issuing university. Applicants with an overseas qualification must submit a valid assessment from the Overseas Qualification Unit (OQU). For more information visit migration.wa.gov.au 

• A comprehensive CV (maximum 3–4 pages) outlining your relevant experience
• A cover letter (maximum 3 pages) demonstrating your capability and experience across the following areas:

1. Environmental Assessment Expertise

Your experience in environmental impact assessment and your ability to apply professional judgement to complex environmental and regulatory matters.

1. Leadership and Delivery Through Others

How you have achieved results through people by building capability, fostering accountability and creating high-performing teams.

1. Stakeholder Influence and Executive Engagement

Your ability to build trust, communicate with influence and work effectively with senior stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

1. Leading Through Complexity and Competing Priorities

How you have exercised sound judgement, balanced competing demands and maintained performance in complex and fast-paced environments.

Your application should demonstrate both the depth of your experience and your ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, high-demand environment over the next 12–24 months.

Please Note:

• To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have documentary evidence of entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the employment opportunity.
• As part of this selection for this process, DWER may use a variety of testing methods including video interviews and psychometric assessments.  
• DWER may also conduct an executive search to further supplement the field.  
• DWER conducts employment screening which may include a Workforce Verification check.

Access Needs

We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on:

• TTY/voice calls – 133 677
• Speak & Listen – 1300 555 727
• SMS relay – 0423 677 767

If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact us at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au or on (08) 6364 7800.

This process may be used to fill similar vacancies that may arise within DWER and across the WA public sector over the next six (6) months. Vacancies may be full-time or part-time, permanent or fixed term with possibility of extension or permanency in a variety of metropolitan and regional locations.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 17 August 2026 4:00pm time (Australian Western Standard Time)

Applications that are in progress or submitted after the closing time will not be accepted.