Do you wish to lead and influence modern, sustainable place-based planning – to support Western Australia’s unique biodiversity?
We have an exciting NEW opportunity for a forward-thinking can-do policy or planning specialist who is motivated to lead best-practice conservation and restoration planning for sustainable growth of liveable cities in Western Australia.
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:
This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated, dedicated and collaborative Principal Policy Officer to work on an exciting NEW regional planning program of work, as part of the whole-of-government Native Vegetation Policy for WA (https://wa.gov.au/nativeveg). The focus of this role is on conservation and restoration planning for the Perth and Peel regions, to address cumulative environmental impacts and facilitate sustainable city growth.
Working closely with the team’s Senior Environmental Officer, you will lead delivery of regional planning outputs (e.g. guidelines, policies, plans, mapping, datasets, new programs of investment), engage development and conservation stakeholders, and navigate the challenges of opportunities for conservation and restoration outcomes.
Your win-win focus will help colleagues and stakeholders see how policies and plans that address cumulative impacts can improve certainty and efficiency in approvals, while helping reverse biodiversity loss.
The Principal Policy Officer will also support the Senior Manager in strategic leadership of the work program.
The program will engage and be delivered in collaboration with State agencies and other stakeholders, with roles to play in scoping, steering and implementing regional planning outputs.
This is a three (3) year fixed term opportunity with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.
Additional information about programs you will work on includes:
For further information about this 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:
We are looking for a policy or planning specialist with:
- the ability to influence without formal power in an inter-organisational setting;
- an ability to interpret and apply legislation, and manage environmental planning and assessment issues; 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.
- Significant experience in leading strategic initiatives, with the ability to produce high quality advice and policy and planning outputs.
- Substantial experience in leading teams and managing working groups.
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide evidence-based advice and recommendations.
- Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Highly developed project management skills with the ability to lead and influence outcomes.
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 above under ’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.
