Biodiversity Officer

Description:

Nowra, New South Wales

Full-time

Description

• Fixed Term / Full Time / Parental leave cover until February 2027
• Salary: $99,775 - $113,318 gross p.a. plus 12% Super
• 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday) with the option of flexitime
• Located at Nowra Administration Building, Bridge Road Nowra
• Applications close Thursday, 12 March 2026 (at midnight)
  
  

About The Role

In this role, you will play a key part in protecting and enhancing biodiversity across the Shoalhaven. You'll be responsible for assessing development application referrals in line with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) and ensuring that threatened species, populations, ecological communities and their habitats-listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW)-receive appropriate consideration.

You will provide specialist advice on biodiversity matters, assess proposals against relevant environmental legislation, and contribute to the implementation of biodiversity stewardship initiatives. This includes supporting formal stewardship processes, promoting best‑practice biodiversity management, and building awareness within the community through education, events, and media engagement.

Working closely with the Biodiversity Coordinator, you will also help deliver on‑ground biodiversity and land management activities across the Shoalhaven Local Government Area, primarily on Council‑managed land. Your technical expertise will guide internal teams, external stakeholders, and the community on issues relating to biodiversity conservation and native wildlife management.

The Role Specific Duties And Responsibilities Include

• Assess development application referrals and provide advice to Council staff in relation to biodiversity and measures to avoid, minimise and offset environmental impacts.
• Review reports from external consultants.
• Provide technical assistance for other matters requiring environmental assessment or advice.
• Undertake field surveys, where needed.
• Undertake environmental assessments in relation to Council operations, potentially including biodiversity development and stewardship assessment reports, flora and fauna assessments, and reviews of environmental factors.
• Deliver projects to protect and enhance biodiversity in the Shoalhaven.
• Give presentations to Council, Council staff and community groups as required.
• Provide staff training in matters relating to biodiversity legislation, flora and fauna protection and biodiversity assessment.
• Provide advice to Council officers, Council clients and the community on how biodiversity values can be maintained or enhanced.
  
  

Please refer to the Job Description under the Job Attachments for a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required.

The advertised salary is based on the grade of the position, comprising of 4 steps within the range shown. The starting salary step will be based on experience and merit.

About You

To be successful in the position, you will have:

• Degree in one of the natural sciences (or a related discipline).
• Class C Driver's Licence.
• Proof of right to work in Australia
• Ability to consult, share information and work collaboratively across council.
• Ability to demonstrate customer service values.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret or professional experience applying the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) and Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) in assessment of development proposals, environmental impact assessments, biodiversity stewardship processes and other relevant environmental legislation and related instruments.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of NSW ecological communities, threatened species, habitat requirements and key threatening processes relevant to the South Coast / Illawarra bioregions.
  
  

How To Apply

To submit an application, click Apply and complete each Step of the application. You will be required to attach your resume, cover letter and respond to questions regarding general information about you.

In addition, you will be required to demonstrate how you satisfy the requirements of the position by answering the below questions relevant to the essential criteria as outlined in the job advertisement.

• At Shoalhaven City Council our corporate core values are: Collaboration, Adaptability, Integrity and Respect. Please choose one value and advise how you have enacted this value in a professional setting.
• Please outline how you meet the essential criteria for this position including skills, qualifications, certifications and licenses relevant to this position.
• Briefly describe a situation where you assessed the biodiversity impacts of a development proposal. What information or data sources did you use and what was the outcome of your assessment?
• Briefly describe your understanding of the local ecology and biodiversity of the Shoalhaven or a surrounding South Coast region, and explain how this knowledge has supported your work in previous roles.
  
  

Applicants who progress to pre-employment checks may be required to undergo a Qualification Check, Work Rights Verification, Reference Checks and Medical (Low Risk). Employment is subject to satisfactory outcomes for all required checks.

For tips and more information on how to submit a great application, please visit how to apply on Councils website. If you require assistance submitting your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team on 02 4429 3203.

Applications Close: Thursday, 12 March 2026 (at midnight)

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Edwin Vaca - Biodiversity Coordinator - 02 4429 3514

Why Work with Us

The Shoalhaven area is a unique place of great natural beauty, offering an enviable lifestyle and positive work-life balance. Our workforce is our greatest asset, and we pride ourselves on our people. Our teams are talented and inclusive and work together to provide better outcomes for our community, who are at the heart of everything we do. With a diverse range of professions and roles, we offer many career options and pathways, actively promoting opportunities and encouraging staff professional development.

Benefits Include

• Generous leave entitlements
• Long Service Leave after 5 years
• Option of flexitime for indoor staff
• 9 day fortnight for outdoor staff
• Flexible and remote working arrangements
• Novated lease arrangements available
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounted health insurance
• Conditions apply as per the Local Government State award, and Council policies
  
  

At Shoalhaven City Council, we are proud to foster a workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve.

We welcome applicants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disability, culturally diverse individuals, and LGBTQIA+ community members to apply.

We are committed to ensuring a equitable recruitment processes. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments to fairly demonstrate your skills, please contact us.

As a Child Safe Organisation, we are committed to upholding the rights of children and young people and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.

Apply for this role

Visit site

Share