Advisor Environment

**Advisor Environment and Heritage - Ecologist (704269)**:
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 advisor 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**.
- 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**.
- Tertiary qualifications in **Ecology,**preferably diploma or higher in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Landscape Ecology, or a related discipline.
- 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.
- Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA) Accredited Assessor.
- Strong knowledge of Victorian flora and fauna, and relevant legislation (Vic & Commonwealth).
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly and confidently.
- A current Victorian driver licence and the ability to travel to site and work independently in the field.
- Desirable_
- Experience in contaminated land management, sustainability, or climate resilience.
- Familiarity with V/Line's network or similar transport infrastructure.
- Ability to deliver ecological awareness training and improve environmental under