Assessment Officer

APS 5 - $84,794 - $93,020 per annum plus superannuation
- Australian Antarctic Division
- Kingston, TAS

**Who we are**
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals.
These goals are to:

- maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
- protect the Antarctic environment
- understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
- undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The Antarctic and Environmental Regulation Section’s key role is to undertake regulatory activities under the following primary pieces of legislation:

- Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980
- Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act 1981
- Environment Protection and Management Ordinance 1987 (Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953)

For more information about us please visit our website.

**The job**
In support of the Australian Antarctic Division's environmental regulatory function, you will do the following:

- Ensure effective administration of the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI)
- Assess and authorise activities as per legislative obligations (with a risk-based focus on complex and large-scale activities)
- Ongoing and effective monitoring of activities to ensure environmental protection and compliance with relevant obligations
- Ensure our regulatory performance is consistent with the Government’s regulatory and environmental protection agendas

In particular, the role will involve:

- Assessing environmental impacts of proposed activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (including at HIMI), and monitoring their compliance
- Providing advice to support statutory decision-making, policy development and international engagement
- Developing and maintaining effective relationships and regular engagement with all internal and external stakeholders, in particular Australians wishing to undertake activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (including at HIMI), including Australian Antarctic science proponents, tourism operators, and other non-government operators.
- Balancing competing timelines and priorities to ensure deadlines are met.

A merit pool established by this recruitment process may be used to fill similar vacancies arising in the Australian Antarctic Division.

**What you’ll gain from the experience**
A challenging, fulfilling and well-supported role in a high performing team, with a direct role in ensuring that Antarctica is valued. protected and understood.

**What we are looking for**
- Demonstrated ability to actively contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.
- A sound understanding of relevant legislation and policy frameworks, or the ability to quickly acquire this.
- Ability to effectively liaise with internal and external stakeholders on regulatory issues and build and maintain strong professional relationships.
- Ability to think strategically and use sound judgement.
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively manage competing priorities in a busy environment.

**Desirable qualifications**
- Experience working in an environmental regulatory, management or policy role.

**Eligibility and other requirements**
**Citizenship** -**to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

**Security Clearance** -** this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

**Pre-employment checks** -** your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.