Assessment Officer

APS 5 - $78,548 - $86,168 per annum plus superannuation
- Environmental Permitting and Compliance Division
- Brisbane, QLD,Canberra, ACT,Darwin, NT,Hobart, TAS,Melbourne, VIC,Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW
- _Work with motivated people who are passionate about regulation._
- _An opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to help protect our unique environment, biodiversity and heritage._
- _An exciting time to join a team which is set to transition to the national Environment Protection Australia._

**Who we are**
The Environmental Permitting and Compliance Division is looking for people passionate about regulation and the environment. It is an exciting time to join the Division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The government has announced that it will establish the National Environment Protection Australia (EPA) as a strong independent environmental regulator with a mission to improve trust and transparency in the operation of national environmental laws. It is expected that the work of the division will transition to the independent EPA in the period ahead. We are a modern regulator that works to a high professional standard to deliver better practice regulation. We use the best scientific evidence and sound judgement, and work with a wide range of stakeholders, to solve complex environmental challenges on a daily basis. Our work is engaging and meaningful and contributes to maintaining a resilient and healthy environment for all Australians.

The Compliance and Enforcement Branch undertakes compliance and enforcement regulatory activities under a range of Commonwealth environmental legislation. We work with business, industry, government and the community to understand and improve compliance with national environmental law. The branch conducts civil and criminal investigations, collects and analyses environmental intelligence, monitors compliance with environmental approvals, and engages with the communities we regulate.

The Triage and Operations Coordination Section is the first point of entry for receiving all compliance allegations under a range of Commonwealth environmental legislation. The section assesses all allegations to determine the most appropriate course of action, including referral to other sections within the branch for compliance and enforcement response. The section also conducts environmental history checks required for decision making under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and other environmental legislation. In addition, the section provides an executive support function to the Operations Coordination Committee, the peak decision-making committee responsible for allocating resources of the branch.

**The Job**
We are looking for passionate APS 5 Assessment Officers with a strong work ethic and interest in contributing to better practice environmental compliance. Multiple positions are on offer in anticipation for a move to the EPA. The duties may include, but are not limited to:

- assessing allegations of non-compliance against a range of Commonwealth environmental legislation,
- developing an understanding of the context and operation of relevant Commonwealth and State legislation and policy frameworks,
- assisting with analysis, evaluation and preparation of briefing material to inform decision-makers of the potential impacts of non-compliance,
- providing written, online and face-to-face regulatory advice,
- assisting with miscellaneous activities, including data analysis, coordinating correspondence and briefing material, and other administrative tasks,
- assisting with input into policy development, project management, stakeholder engagement and communication, conducting quality assurance and implementing business process improvement activities,
- working collaboratively with other staff within the team and across the department to achieve results,
- contributing to a positive team culture.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
Any combination of the following would be an advantage:

- experience working in a complex regulatory environment,
- analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills,
- experience effectively coping with change,
- experience in assisting with stakeholder engagement,
- experience in assisting with the development of written material, including briefs, agenda papers, reports, talking points, presentations, background briefings and correspondence including to Ministers.

**Skills and capabilities**
- the ability to work as part of a team, with interpersonal skills to develop productive working relationships with government and non-government stakeholders,
- written and oral communication skills,
- judgement, intelligence and common sense,
- good organisational skills,
- a commitment to achieving quality outcomes and a professional approach to their work,
- a willingness to learn and contribute to implementing and promoting a collegiate culture of adaptabilit