You will become a member of the Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) Assessment Team which operate as a virtual office based team with officers able to nominate their preferred work location at any one of the 13 Environmental Services and Regulation Branch Office locations throughout the State of Queensland conditional to accommodation availability - Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Maryborough, Maroochydore, Caboolture, Brisbane, Ispwich, Toowoomba or Robina.

As the Principal Environmental Officer, you will:

• Undertake assessments in accordance with legislative requirements including PRCP schedules that includes assessment of environmental risk and provide high level technical advice regarding approvals, conditioning and setting of mine site rehabilitation standards and milestones.
• Review and research technical reports and scientific papers.
• Lead and actively participate in internal and intra-governmental meetings appropriately representing the department and its interests, particularly in relation to the mining rehabilitation reform agenda.
• Develop strong collaborative strategic partnerships through consultation, negotiation and developing networks with all levels of the department, other key government agencies such as those involved in the mining rehabilitation reform agenda and industry.
• Prepare well-researched policy option papers, briefings, reports, submissions and contribute to the preparation of internal guidelines and other executive level correspondence.
• Provide leadership within a multidisciplinary team through supervising, mentoring and peer review.
• Actively contribute to and prepare team plans, discussions and debriefings.
• Carry out duties consistent with contemporary Administrative Decision Making Principles (training provided by the department).
• Promote a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace that is free from bullying, discrimination and harassment.

What we are looking for:

• Superior technical skills and knowledge of mine rehabilitation with demonstrated skills in one or more of the following disciplines: groundwater and surface water systems, soil assessment and land improvement activities, or geotechnical assessments.
• Exceptional experience, specialist knowledge and skills with regard to setting auditable and measureable mine site rehabilitation milestones and criteria based on best practice.
• Demonstrated high level research, analytical problem solving and conceptualisation skills in assessing complex issues and environmental risk, and recommending remedial action to solve known or anticipated problems.
• Demonstrated track record in managing high risk projects and in supporting, contributing to and participating in teams.
• Demonstrated expert communication skills showing extensive experience in communicating with influence, in both written and oral form, effectively consulting and negotiating to achieve positive environmental outcomes in difficult and complex circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships within internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate how you can support our commitment to workplace safety, equity, diversity, respect and inclusion.

Qualifications:

You must hold a degree (undergraduate and/or postgraduate) in one of the folloiwng disciplines : environmental management:  chemical, forensic, physical, geological, hydrological, environmental, applied and biological sciences ; environmental engineering. OR, agreed equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution.

If your degree is issued by an overseas institution, you will be required to make application for official recognition through the Oveseas Qualification Unit, Department of Trade, Employment and Training @ https://dtet.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/osqrecognition

Driver Licence:

You will be required to hold a current unrestricted drivers licence and/or prepared to obtain a manual licence.

How to apply

Further information on the role including how to apply is documented in the role description (attached) and published on Queensland Government Smart Jobs @ https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-678005-26

If you hold the required qualification, driver licence, and have what you need for this role as outlined in the section titled "What we are looking for", we would like to hear from you! 

We offer priority consideration to applicants who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Islander. 

Applications will be accepted through the Smart Jobs and Careers website www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au.

Applications closing date, 26 February 2026.

• Role Description_Principal Environmental Officer_Job Advert Ref QLD_678005_26.docx