Scientific Officer

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 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 key duties of the position include:

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.

Desirable qualifications

• A post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant water-science related discipline, is highly desirable but not mandatory.

For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.
Eligibility

Mandatory qualifications

• A degree and experience in a relevant water science discipline relating to hydrogeology, hydrology, ecohydrology or similar water sciences such as numerical or catchment modelling, reservoir engineering, hydro-geochemistry, and aquatic ecology, ecohydrology or groundwater ecology. Candidates with transferable technical skills in water-science related disciplines, such as biogeochemistry, geology, water resource engineering, biology or ecotoxicology may also be considered where the candidate can demonstrate transferability of those skills to the role.

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. 

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.