Advisor Environment and Heritage – Ecologist

Advisor Environment and Heritage – Ecologist

452 Flinders Street

3-year fixed-term, full-time

Are you an experienced ecologist ready to make a lasting impact across Victoria's regional rail network?

Join V/Line as our Advisor Environment and Heritage – Ecologist and bring your specialist knowledge to a role that blends fieldwork, strategy, and stakeholder engagement, all while contributing to the protection of unique ecosystems across our rail corridors.

About the Environment and Heritage Team at V/Line

We're a collaborative, values-driven team committed to preserving cultural heritage and natural ecosystems across Victoria and into NSW. Our rail reserves span forests, woodlands, grasslands, mallee, and wetlands, supporting thousands of native species, including many that are threatened.

Our work plays a strategic role in connecting habitats across the broader landscape, and we're proud to contribute to the long-term sustainability of regional rail.

This exciting opportunity has become available due to an internal promotion, a testament to the impact and career growth this role can offer.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role for an experienced ecologist who can confidently manage environmental and heritage risks across rail infrastructure projects.

You will be the go-to advisory for ecology-related matters, supporting project teams and contractors to meet compliance obligations and protect biodiversity.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying environmental risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Conducting ecological assessments and targeted flora/fauna surveys.
• Preparing and submitting permit applications (FFG, EPBC, planning, and railways exemptions).
• Developing EMS documentation, including CEMPs and Conservation Management Plans.
• Providing technical advice on vegetation management, fire prevention, and contaminated land.
• Attending site inspections, pre-starts, and inductions, ensuring environmental controls are understood and followed.
• Undertaking post-works inspections and verifying clean-up and compliance.
• Preparing ecological reports and environmental investigation findings.
• Delivering ecological awareness training and improving environmental understanding across teams.
• Liaising with regulators and identifying permitting pathways for rail works.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement, balancing biodiversity protection with operational needs, and working closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure V/Line's environmental obligations are met across a diverse and dynamic network.

Site Visits & Travel

This role offers a great mix of office and fieldwork with travel across regional Victoria. You will attend pre-start meetings, site inspections, and provide on-the-ground support to ensure environmental controls are understood and followed.

Some evenings, weekends, overnight stays, and overtime may be required. All travel-related meals and accommodation are reimbursed.

A Tool-of-Trade vehicle is provided, and accredited 4WD training can be arranged if needed.

About You

This opportunity requires someone who brings ecological expertise, professionalism, and a collaborative mindset to a dynamic infrastructure environment.

We would like to see a clear demonstration of your experience and insight into the role, and how you're prepared to deliver value across a diverse network as our Ecology expert. You will be committed to contributing your expertise for the full 3-year tenure of this role.

This is not a research or academic role. We are looking for an applied ecologist with practical experience in infrastructure, construction, or land management; someone who thrives in the field and can confidently navigate compliance, permitting, and stakeholder engagement in an operational environment.

Essential Requirements

To support a fair and merit-based process, we ask that you address the following key selection criteria.

During the application, you will be prompted to answer questions about each, and we also encourage you to reflect these capabilities in your resume.

1. Tertiary qualifications in Ecology, preferably diploma or higher in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Landscape Ecology, or a related discipline.
2. 3+ years' post-graduate, hands-on ecological experience in environmental management, in infrastructure or land management settings (e.g. rail, roads, utilities) where ecological advice directly informs project delivery and compliance.
3. Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA) Accredited Assessor.
4. Strong knowledge of Victorian flora and fauna, and relevant legislation (Vic & Commonwealth).
5. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly and confidently.
6. A current Victorian driver licence and the ability to travel to site and work independently in the field.

Desirable

If you have any of the following, we'd love to see them reflected in your application as they will help strengthen your suitability for the role.

• Experience in contaminated land management, sustainability, or climate resilience.
• Familiarity with V/Line's network or similar transport infrastructure.
• Experience liaising with regulators and preparing permit applications.
• Ability to deliver ecological awareness training and improve environmental understanding across teams.
• Accredited 4WD driver training (can be provided if not held).

Why Join Us?

At V/Line, you'll be part of a team that values responsiveness, integrity, accountability, and respect. You'll contribute to major infrastructure projects that shape the future of regional transport, all while protecting the natural environment we operate in.

Important Considerations

This role is a Risk Category 3 position and will require successful completion of safety assessments and a medical check.

Benefits

Salary for this 3-year fixed-term role is in a fixed range from $117,500 (Base $104,911, Super $12,589) to $147,000 (Base $131,250, Super $15,750).

Benefits include a Tool-of-Trade vehicle for work purposes, 4-week's annual leave, 12% employer-paid super, and free myki for metro & regional travel.

Want More Information?

To request a copy of the Position Description or ask questions about the role, please email and include the reference: "Advisor Environment and Heritage – Ecologist, 704269".

Apply Now

Click through to our V/Line Careers page to apply.

You are invited to submit your up-to-date resume and answer a few pre-screening questions. A cover letter is not required.

Applications close 11:59pm, Monday, 29 September 2025.

Our Process

The recruitment and selection process may include online safety assessments and behavioural and/or technical interviews.

Pre-employment screening will require probity checks (including police checks, Australian entitlement to work check, and qualifications check), reference checks, and medical check.

Employees of V/Line are required to maintain a valid Working with Children Check Victoria (Employee) for the duration of employment.

About V/Line

V/Line's purpose is to connect Victorians through safe, reliable, and accessible transport. We believe in giving all Victorians opportunities through travel and transport – connecting them to jobs, education, family and friends, services, tourism, and trade.

V/Line is experiencing significant growth and we're delivering more services, more trains, cheaper fares, and huge projects. With more than 3,700 weekly train and coach services, an expansive freight network, and unprecedented rail investment, millions of Victorians depend on us to deliver. You could be one of our 3,100 committed team members who are up to the challenge.

In addition to free myki travel, we offer:

• Community Impact – Make a genuine difference. Work in a role that connects Victorians, every day.
• Huge Potential – We're transforming, and you can too. Be a change maker, recognised for your contribution and creativity.
• Dynamic Environment – V/Line operates in a constantly changing space. Join a fast-paced and exciting organisation.
• Collaborative Team – You'll be part of a broader supportive team. Surround yourself with talented, passionate peers.
• Flexible Working – We support flexible working. Work in a way that supports you to thrive in your role.

We are committed to ensuring a comfortable and accessible recruitment experience.

If you need any adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements at any stage of the process, please contact our Talent team at au or for confidential support. Please note, this contact is for accessibility-related enquiries only.

For all other questions about the role or recruitment process, please email and include the job reference as described above.

As an equal opportunity employer, V/Line is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace and network that reflects the communities we serve. We accept and value the contributions of all our employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability. We are also proud to be endorsed by Work180 as a great place for women to work, second year in a row.

We proudly acknowledge First Peoples of Victoria. We acknowledge their ongoing strength in practicing the world's oldest living culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners' lands, waters, and skies on which we live and pay respects to their Elders past and present.

At V/Line, safety is our priority. Successful applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment and medical checks to meet our Safeworking standards.