Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
Who we are
Australia’s National Environment Protection Division works to protect our environment from the harmful effects of pollution. We work closely with other governments, the private sector and non-government organisations to minimise the environmental and human health impacts of all stages of production – from design right through to resource recovery and re-use. We lead the development and implementation of national policies, programs and regulation to manage waste and recycling, industrial chemicals, land contamination, air quality, ozone depleting gases, and promote product stewardship. Some of our key activities include:
- implementing the National Waste Policy and the National Waste Policy Action Plan
- administering product stewardship programs and legislation
- leading Australia’s team in the negotiation of a new treaty to end plastic pollution
- collecting data, analysing and reporting on a number of Australia’s environmental protection programs
- working with states and territories on initiatives to improve Australia’s air quality and industrial chemicals management by managing regulatory schemes on air quality, and the environmental risks of industrial chemicals
- implementing Australia’s waste export scheme, including issuing licences, establishing and maturing regulatory approaches, and drafting legislative instruments
- leading Australia’s participation in global environment protection treaties which may include engaging with the Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, and Minamata Conventions, the OECD Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee, and the Montreal Protocol
- implementing global environment protection treaties domestically by:
- managing the import and export of hazardous and other wastes
- implementing Australia’s ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse gas and air quality frameworks
- implementing a national framework to manage the environmental risks of industrial chemicals
- coordinating national efforts to address contaminants of emerging concern, and
- assessing the environmental impacts of industrial chemicals to the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).
The Atmosphere & Reporting Branch implements regulatory programs and develops policies to reduce air pollution and builds data capability to report on performance.
The Chemicals Management Branch provides evidence-based advice and drives national approaches to protect the Australian environment and people from the harmful effects of chemicals, hazardous substances, and pollutants.
The Resource Circularity Branch is working to promote a circular economy and building demand for recycled materials by governments and industry through Commonwealth procurement and industry partnerships.
The Waste Policy & Planning Branch leads national collaboration on waste reduction and resource recovery including through implementation of the National Waste Policy Action Plan and is leading on the negotiation of the treaty to end plastic pollution.
The Waste Regulation and Stewardship Branch administers waste and product stewardship regulation and provides advice on policy and regulatory design.
The teams across the division include people from a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience including policy, program and project delivery, technical analysis, regulation and communication. Our work requires a collaborative approach and strong working relationships across the Australian Government, states and territories, industry, overseas governments and other stakeholders.
The Job
The Environment Protection Division seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds to lead and drive innovation across the Division’s policy and regulatory programs. We want people to drive dynamic teams, programs or key initiatives to protect the environment. You will provide outstanding policy, regulatory and/or program implementation and management expertise and will work with a broad range of stakeholders, including across government and the private sector to drive reform and innovation. Roles may involve providing advice and briefing Ministers, government and senior stakeholders, high levels of engagement and collaboration with others, coordinating positions across Commonwealth agencies, negotiating with states and territories, working closely with private sector stakeholders, and at times, representing Australia at international fora.
The successful candidates will:
- provide expertise and effective management of policies, programs or other key initiatives to protect Australia’s environment and people from the effects of harmful chemicals and land contamination
- contribute to the development of new policies and/or new regulatory frameworks, and to manage their implementation
- apply comprehensive work knowledge, precedent and established legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines to situations involving a high level of complexity and sensitivity which require considerable interpretation and analysis
- provide high quality advice and briefings for the Minister, the Executive, operational areas and other relevant stakeholders and represent DCCEEW
- develop and maintain strong working relationships and collaborate and partner across governments and with industry to deliver policy and/or regulatory solutions
- drive ongoing innovation to improve the way we do business to deliver our objectives.
Our head office is at the John Gorton Building, Canberra. Flexible working arrangements will be considered, including remote work from other locations within Australia
The key duties of the position include:
What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
Successful applicants will demonstrate one or more of the following:
- expertise in policy development, program management and regulatory administration to achieve government objectives
- knowledge and expertise in contemporary environmental protection initiatives, including industrial chemical risk assessments and providing land contamination advice
- experience in operating in a regulatory science team
- experience in drawing on data and research in order to develop evidence-based options and solutions to address policy and regulatory problems
- international engagement and diplomacy skills
- experience in bridging the science / policy interface and effectively communicating perspectives of different disciplines
- experience or willingness to operate in an agile workforce across multiple legislative frameworks
- demonstrated experience leading staff and teams to build a high performing culture.
Skills and capabilities
- Leadership – ability to successfully lead a policy, program or regulatory outcome, demonstrating a high level of independence.
- Strategic thinking – Demonstrates strategic approaches and fosters a commitment toward continuous improvement. The ability to harness opportunities, use initiative and to proactively manage complex and politically sensitive situations.
- Analytical skills – Demonstrated ability to effectively use information and data, identify and analyse complex issues and develop options and approaches.
- Collaboration – advanced stakeholder relationship management skills with the demonstrated ability to build and sustains productive working relationships. Proven ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders within an organisation, and across other jurisdictions and the private sector.
- Communication – Communicates with influence, highly developed written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent DCCEEW in sensitive negotiations, including at state and national forums.
- Planning and organising – Proven ability to manage available resources to complete competing priorities within tight timeframes, and sound business acumen.
Desirable qualifications
Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (including but not limited to, environmental science, chemistry, sustainability, law etc) are desirable for some of the available roles.
Eligibility
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.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability