Environmental Scientist (Botanist)

Council’s Engineering Division is seeking to fill an Environmental Scientist – Botanist position. The role undertakes complex vegetation surveys and assessments, plant identification, and environmental assessments related to Council infrastructure development for the purpose of preparing planning applications and management plans for Council infrastructure and maintenance projects.

The position has a specialty area, and as such we require an experienced Botanist/Ecologist with NSW vegetation survey and impact assessment experience.  The position will be also called upon to do non-vegetation related impact assessments.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum 5 to 7 years’ experience in botany, ecology or similar
• Flora survey and vegetation assessment experience preferably in NSW
• Environmental impact assessment experience in NSW
• Familiarity / experience working with NSW environmental planning and assessment legislation

The position will be required to provide technical advice during design and construction. You will be required to act with a high level of autonomy during field survey and inspections, pre-design meetings, and during on site environmental risk assessments and construction inspections.

What's on offer:

• An attractive base salary ranging from $88,141 per annum with competency based increments up to $101,440 per annum, plus 10.5% super
• 35 hour week, 9 day fortnight
• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance
• Generous employment conditions (we have too many to list - click here for more).

We are seeking: 

• Degree in Botany, Ecology, Science, Environmental Science or equivalent.
• Specialist expertise in Botany
• A high level of demonstrated experience in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment and Planning, particularly in NSW.
• Advanced understanding of environmental legislation, planning instruments, government policies and their application to environmental impact assessment and the preparation of environmental planning applications.

About us:

• Located on the picturesque far North Coast of NSW, bordering the Gold Coast.
• The Tweed is a vibrant, diverse location offering a lifestyle near the water, in a rainforest or on a farm.  
• Tweed Shire Council is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in both traditional and non-traditional roles.
• Join an employer of choice. Professionals Australia (Local Government Engineers’ Association) has named Council the 2021 Employer of Choice for our great employment practices within NSW local government. 

Where it's located:

This position is based in Murwillumbah, and can be directed to work from any Council work site.

Position closes: 

Friday 2 December 2022 at 12 noon sharp (NSW time).  Late applications will not be permitted.

Recruitment Timeframe:

• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview via email week commencing 12 December 2022
• Interviews to be held week commencing 9 January 2023.

Click here to view the Position Description

Click here for more information on the Recruitment Process

Click here to view our Values

Pre-Employment Screening:

Tweed Shire Council conducts pre-employment assessments as part of its recruitment process. 

Job offers are not made until screening has been completed. Tweed Shire Council uses third-party providers to undertake:

• Pre-employment medical – some roles require a functional (physical) assessment, and all positions are subject to drug and alcohol screening (a positive test result means the recruitment process ends and your application will not be considered).
• Background screening - verifies that the information you have provided throughout the recruitment process is true and correct.  Click here for more information.

Reference Checks are undertaken by the panel. Your 2 referees should ideally be your current and most recent supervisors.  Your referees are not contacted unless you’ve been interviewed and are a preferred candidate. 

Immunisations:

This position is identified as at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable/manageable diseases and as a consequence impacted employees are strongly recommended to participate in Council’s workplace vaccination program.  

How To Apply:

You must use your own email address, and not one used previously by another person that has applied for a position with council.

Once you start your online application, you cannot save and return to it later. 

You may wish to prepare your responses in a Word document. You can then COPY and PASTE your answers from Word into the below fields:

1. Have your Resume document ready to go.
2. Fill out all questions below. Click 'Next'.  For tips on how to address the selection criteria, click here
3. You'll then be prompted to attach your resume and other documents (if applicable). Click 'Next'.
4. Review your application to confirm everything is correct. Click 'Confirm' to submit your application.

If you'd like to COPY and PASTE selection criteria fields into a separate Word document to work on over time, please find them listed below:

Essential:
1. Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology (Botany/Zoology), Environmental Engineering, Environmental Planning, or equivalent.
2. Specialist expertise in one or more of the following disciplines: Ecology (Zoology and/or Botany), Soils, Water, Air, Noise, Contaminated Land Assessment, Construction Environmental Management or similar, and a high level of demonstrated experience in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment and Planning.
3. Advanced understanding of environmental legislation, planning instruments, government policies and their application to environmental impact assessment and the preparation of environmental planning applications.
4. Demonstrated competence in the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIS, SEE and REF).
5. Demonstrated practical experience in field surveys related to environmental impact assessment and environmental management.
6. Ability to prepare complex reports including construction environmental management plans, threatened species management plans and habitat restoration plans or the like.
7. Demonstrated high level research, written and oral communication skills.
8. Demonstrated ability to manage projects and their associated budgets.
9. Demonstrated ability to use computer applications including word, excel, GIS and other data management systems.
10. Demonstrated capacity to engage and supervise consultants and contractors.
11. Current Vehicle Licence - Car.

Desirable:
12. Post Graduate qualifications or other qualifications in a related discipline
13. Demonstrated understanding of engineering issues involved in the construction of public infrastructure.

SK97188A

OFFICE USE ONLY