Graduate Biodiversity Officer, Biodiversity Officer or Senior Biodiversity Officer

About the Role Our Environment & Health team has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated team orientated individual to join the team. As a recent Graduate this position will provide for on-going training for career development in all aspects of assessing biodiversity/ecology in the built and natural environment. As a Biodiversity or Senior Biodiversity Officer, you will provide technical advice on biodiversity/ ecology matters to both internal and external stakeholders on development and subdivision applications consistent with current legislation, act as Council’s expert in Court in ecology, prepare and adapt Council’s existing codes and policies, evaluate and report on biodiversity strategies. What you will be doing:Graduate Biodiversity Officer

• Assist in resolving under supervision customer phone and online enquiries for ecology and tree related matters;
• Act under supervision to carry out duties under the Biodiversity Conservation Act, Local Government Act and EP&A Act and relevant policies ;
• Assist in delivering projects and in conducting research to support the development of environmental strategy and actions ;
• Assist under supervision in the Assessment of development applications/planning proposals considering biodiversity matters;
• Assist under supervision in the review of vegetation management plans and in undertaking inspections for compliance and bond release.

Biodiversity / Senior Biodiversity Officer  

• Assessment of development applications/planning proposals considering biodiversity matters;
• Provide specialist assessment of relevant technical reports and documents;
• Review vegetation management plans and carry out inspections for compliance and bond release;
• Inspect areas of native vegetation and determine applications for clearing;
• Assess, research, document and resolve customer requests regarding vegetation removal;
• Carry out duties under the biodiversity conservation/local government act and relevant policies;
• Conduct research to support the development of environmental strategies and actions;
• Carry out duties under the EP&A Act, including inspections, issue orders and penalty notices;
• Prepare standards, codes, information and fact sheets;
• Prepare statement of basic facts and contentions and briefs of evidence [Senior];
• Prepare statements of evidence, affidavits and appear in Court as an expert witness [Senior];
• Provide mentoring and training of team members [Senior].

About you:  To be successful in this role you will have:

1. Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management or similar relevant qualifications or nearing/recent completion of a Bachelor’s Degree for Graduate applicants;
2. Accreditation as a Biodiversity Assessment Method Assessor [Senior];
3. Experience in ecological survey techniques, including plant and vegetation community identification and various fauna survey methods;
4. Working knowledge of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Local Government Act, Biodiversity Conservation Act and Planning for Bushfire Protection Guidelines;
5. Positive contributing team player, experience in dealing with customers with an ability to deal with and solve protracted enquiries;
6. GIS skills;
7. Current Class C Drivers Licence.

Position details:Salary will be based on qualifications, expertise, experience & knowledge: Graduate Biodiversity Officer (Temporary, fixed-term role), Salary between: $70k - $76k + Superannuation OR Biodiversity Officer (Permanent full-time role), Salary between: $88k - $94k + Superannuation + option of Car Allowance ($13k p.a) OR Council Leaseback Vehicle OR Senior Biodiversity Officer (Permanent full-time role), Salary between:  $105k - $110k + Superannuation + option of Car Allowance ($13k p.a) Council Leaseback Vehicle. You can also earn a Performance Bonus (up to 2% annual salary) + Organisational Bonus (up to $2K), Learning & Development Opportunities, Active Social Club, Variable Leave, Proactive Wellbeing Initiatives, Modern Office, Aquatic and Fitness membership discounts and Onsite Café. Next steps: Please review the Position Description available on Council’s Careers Page and submit your application online at www.thehills.nsw.gov.au by 5pm on 19 April 2024. Please outline the position you are applying for in your application. Please reach out to the HR Team at [email protected] if you require any assistance with submitting your application or require further information about the role or the organisation. Working with us: At The Hills Shire Council, we live our values of Honesty, Integrity, Loyalty, Leadership and Safety through the work that we perform for the Community. We are committed to a positive and supportive workplace culture where our people and customers feel respected and valued.