Scientific Officer

APS 6 - $95,438 - $108,360
- Environmental Water & Aquatic Ecosystems
- Adelaide - SA, Brisbane - QLD, Canberra - ACT, Darwin - NT, Hobart - TAS, Melbourne - VIC, Perth - WA, Sydney - NSW

**Who we are**

The Office of Water Science sits within the Environmental Water and Aquatic Ecosystems Division. The Division supports the delivery of the government’s statutory and policy functions regarding the management of environmental water, wetlands of international importance, and the assessment of impacts on water resources. The division also provides technical and scientific advice and support to the department, the Executive and the Minister to develop water-related policy and engagement. It includes the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), the Office of Water Science, and the Wetlands Section which supports the Australian Government in its international engagement on the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention).

The Division works to deliver environmental outcomes under the framework of the Water Act 2007, the Basin Plan 2012 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) (EPBC Act), working closely with other government agencies, non-government organisations, First Nations, community and industry groups, local landholders and scientists. We undertake roles ranging from water planning, portfolio management, science, policy development, statutory reporting, communication, engagement, technical advice and secretariat support.

The Office of Water Science sits within the Environmental Water, Northern Basin and Science Branch of the Division. This branch focuses on delivery of science for the division, as well as environmental water in the northern Murray-Darling Basin.

The Office of Water Science has several functions including:

- Providing scientific, secretariat and engagement support to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development (the IESC).
- Providing scientific advice on the potential impacts to water resources from a wide range of proposed developments being assessed under the EPBC Act.
- Providing scientific and policy advice to support key initiatives, such as environmental and water reform agendas.

**The Job**

As a Scientist in the Office of Water Science, you will:

- Provide scientific review of impact assessments for projects proposed under the Commonwealth legislation to support regulatory decision-making. The type of projects being assessed is diverse and not limited to a specific sector or development type. Examples include mines, windfarms, airports, aquaculture, irrigation, or environmental water works and residential or industrial developments.
- Provide scientific technical assessments of scientific and environmental approval documentation to develop summary material for the IESC.
- Support delivery of the scientific/technical material to the IESC and regulators through a variety of media forms and presentations.
- Analyse and interpret scientific data and provide summaries to audiences with a range of backgrounds that will enable robust decision-making.
- Support engagement with regulators and project proponents, specialised consultants, and other government agencies on scientific and technical matters, as well as best practice and industry standards.
- Contributing to the Office of Water Science’s technical expertise.
- Support procurement and project management for products aimed at improving industry practice, or scientific knowledge for assessing, monitoring, and managing impacts to water resources.

**What you'll gain from the experience**

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- At least 2-3 years’ experience working in a role(s) relevant to the position, or roles that demonstrate a capacity to transfer these skills to the role.
- Experience in analysing and synthesising water science data, and information, and technical reports.
- Experience in groundwater or surface water management or assessment roles, such as water resource planning and management, mining/oil and gas sector, urban water management, or other roles relating to water resources or water sciences.
- Knowledge of scientific best practice standards and guidelines as they relate to water resource modelling and/or management are an advantage.
- Knowledge of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and/or familiarity with relevant state legislation relating to water resources would also be beneficial but not essential.

**Skills and capabilities**
- Sound level of scientific expertise in a water
- science discipline, as it relates to water resource impact assessments, such as:

- Conceptual and/or field hydrogeology or hydrology;
- Hydrogeological and hydrological assessments and characterisation;
- Groundwater or surface water modelling;
- Water quality and hydrochemistry;
- Surface-groundwater connectivity;
- Water-dependent ecosystems;
- Aquatic