We have an exciting NEW opportunity for a forward-thinking leader in modern, sustainable place-based planning to support Western Australia’s unique biodiversity.

Are you a resourceful leader interested in driving best-practice conservation and restoration planning, to maximise its benefits in regional economic diversification and sustainable growth of liveable cities? If so, we want to hear from you!

As Western Australia’s primary water and environmental regulator, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has a responsibility to be an influential and future-focused organisation. Our vision is for a low-carbon Western Australia with a healthy environment and secure water resources for future generations.

The department holds itself accountable to being fair and committed.  We respect First Nations people knowledge and cultural advice.  As a forward-looking department we are guided by good science and embrace new technologies and practices.  We value and engage with our stakeholders; to be transparent in all we do and build trusted relationships.

Our values-based culture reflects who we are and how we go about business. We would love you to see some of the exciting work and opportunities available at DWER. Please see our welcome video here for a peek behind the curtain.

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

As a department we recognise that flexible working arrangements support effective work-life balance, empowers our people and increases team productivity. 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.

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

The Opportunity:

We are recruiting for an inspiring Senior Manager to lead a new, forward-thinking team – delivering regional planning under the Native Vegetation Policy for WA (https://wa.gov.au/nativeveg). This will support WA’s contribution to global biodiversity recovery ambitions.

The focus of this role is on conservation and restoration planning to address cumulative environmental impacts, and on leading and sourcing the priority ecological data and mapping needed to support informed land use planning, environmental policies and decisions. This includes overseeing work on a new statewide WA Vegetation Extent (WAVE) mapping system.

You will lead a team focussed on three key programs: regional planning for the Perth and Peel, and the Wheatbelt regions, and a pilot for WAVE. You will lead the team through forming, storming and norming phases.

Your role will span strategic leadership and staff management; lead and oversee preparation of advice and briefings to Ministers and senior executives; strategic communications on policy and program reforms; engaging industry, community and Aboriginal stakeholders; ensuring robust governance and coordination arrangements; negotiating and overseeing inputs from collaborating agencies; and overseeing your staff’s management of technical contracts and delivery of technical, policy and planning outputs.

This is a three (3) year fixed term opportunity with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.

Additional information about programs under your leadership includes:

• Native Vegetation Policy for WA and its implementation roadmap.
• WA Vegetation Extent Mapping and Monitoring Pilot (WAVE).pdf (please see in Attachments)
• Government provides certainty over Perth and Peel planning | Western Australian Government (www.wa.gov.au)

For further information about the opportunity we encourage you to contact Anya Lam on (08) 6364 6871 or via email anya.lam@dwer.wa.gov.au during business hours.

About You:

To be successful in the role, you will need to have:

• the ability to influence without formal power in an inter-organisational setting;
• a solution-focus in your advice, policy-making or project delivery; and
• a sense of humour, and ability to respond to uncertainty and ambiguity as opportunities.

Selection criteria:

To be applied in conjunction with the description of the opportunity above.

1. Develops the strategic direction for the business unit and creates a shared sense of purpose. Understands organisation’s direction and role within government, society and whole of government agenda.
2. Builds and sustains relationships across the organisation, and the public, private and community sectors. Brings people together. Works collaboratively and facilitates cooperation within and between organisations.
3. Extensive knowledge of environmental management and protection or land use planning principles, policies, Government processes and relevant legislation.
4. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including high level negotiation and conflict resolution skills in a range of situations.
5. Highly developed ability to lead and manage people to develop and foster high levels of team and individual performance.

Experience or qualifications in any of the following areas would be advantageous: planning (town, land-use, strategic, environmental, conservation); environmental regulation, policy and legislation (including offsets); agricultural, resource or environmental economics; and/or environmental restoration and investment planning.

How to apply

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

• A comprehensive CV that details your experience relevant to this opportunity;
• A two (2) page cover letter outlining the key responsibilities and achievements you have had during your career in the context of the position responsibilities and requirements outlined under the ’Selection criteria’.
• Two (2) referees (one preferred to be a current supervisor or recent manager)

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.
• DWER conducts employment screening which may include a National Criminal History check.

For technical difficulties while applying online or information about the application process, please contact us for assistance on (08) 6364 6488 or at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au – email address not to be used for submission of applications.

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 6488.

This process may be used to fill similar vacancies that may arise within DWER and across the WA public sector over the next twelve (12) 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.

Applicants found suitable but not recommended for this vacancy may be considered for subsequent vacancies in accordance with Part 5 (General Appointment) of Commissioner's Instruction 2: Filling a Public Sector Vacancy.

CLOSING DATE: 4pm Monday 6 November 2023 (Australian Western Standard Time)

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