Description:
Principal Environmental Officers work within the Environmental Services and Regulation (ESR) division of DETSI.The division provides targeted, consistent and transparent regulation that facilitates sustainable development in Queensland. ESR proactively manages and monitors environmental risks through a modern and innovative regulatory framework that includes assessment, compliance, investigation and enforcement programs. ESR also provides extensive frontline services both centrally and regionally.
Principal Environmental Officers work to improve the State’s environmental performance by identifying environmental risks and providing scientific and technical support for a wide range of projects. They contribute to the implementation of environmental management and protection strategies and promote compliance with environmental heritage and planning legislation and policies.
As the Principal Environmental Officer located in the Ipswich office, is a role in which you will:
- Lead preventative and targeted compliance activities including planning and conducting site inspections, gathering evidence to support enforcement actions, and making recommendations to management.
- Contribute to a strong, collaborative team-based culture of compliance delivery, grounded in professional and respectful relationships.
- Conduct environmental risk assessment of sites via compliance and risk evaluation tools and methods.
- Contribute to identifying clusters of environmental issues and make recommendations for, and lead, targeted compliance projects.
- Contribute to identifying, analysing and solution design for complex environmental problems (environmental problem solving).
- Respond to and investigate environmental complaints and environmental incidents.
- Use statutory tools and make recommendations for enforcement action in accordance with departmental enforcement guidelines.
- Support the assessment and conditioning of applications for environmental approvals under relevant legislation.
- Some Principal Environmental Officers will also be required to undertake team leader responsibilities including:
- Day-to-day supervision of staff within their team and ensuring that the services or deliverables of the team are coordinated, managed, and monitored effectively.
- Monitoring and reviewing outputs, processes, and procedures.
- Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the team.
- Foster a workplace culture that supports and promotes the interests of First Nations people and actively engage through our work to contribute to better outcomes for First Nations people.
What You Need For This Role
- Extensive knowledge of, or a proven ability to rapidly acquire extensive knowledge of, ESR's Regulatory Strategy, related legislation, and policies with a proven ability to interpret and apply.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills which promote and sustain positive relationships with team members with the ability to supervise a team, mentor and provide guidance.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with demonstrated ability to take the lead in complex and contentious investigation of issues, develop options and approaches to resolve technically complex and contentious matters within ESR's Regulatory Strategy.
- Demonstrated stakeholder management skills with the ability to conduct negotiations and articulate issues to achieve sound environmental outcomes in complex and contested circumstances.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality correspondence including statutory notices, letters, ministerial and executive correspondence, briefings, publications, and other information in a timely manner.
- Contribution to workplace equity and diversity that enriches our culture of innovation, respect and inclusion.
Occupational group Primary Industry & Environment
21 Jan 2026;
from:
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