• 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

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 attached below 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.

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