Senior Triage Assessment Officer

Full job description
APS 6 - $+5,438 - $108,360 per annum plus superannuation
Environmental Permitting and Compliance Division
Adelaide, SA,Brisbane, QLD,Canberra, ACT,Melbourne, VIC,Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW
Opportunity to work in a high performing team undertaking compliance and regulatory activities under a range of Commonwealth environmental legislation.
Opportunity to work in a hybrid team with flexible working arrangements.
Positive and engaging team culture.
Who we are
The Environmental Permitting and Compliance Division is looking for people passionate about regulation and the environment. It is an exciting time to join the Division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. We are a regulator that works to a high professional standard to deliver better practice regulation. We use the best scientific evidence and sound judgement, and work with a wide range of stakeholders to solve complex environmental challenges. Our work is engaging and meaningful and contributes to maintaining a resilient and healthy environment for all Australians.

The Compliance and Enforcement Branch (CEB) provides a centralised compliance and enforcement capability for the department’s environmental legislation. We work with business, industry, government and the community to understand and improve compliance with Commonwealth environmental law. CEB conducts civil and criminal investigations, collects and analyses environmental intelligence, monitors compliance with environmental approvals, and engages with the community we regulate.

The Triage and Operations Coordination Section (TAOCS) serves as the frontline for receiving and assessing allegations of non-compliance under Commonwealth environmental legislation. The section plays a crucial role in:
assessing allegations to determine the priority and most appropriate course of action, including referral to other sections within the branch for compliance and enforcement response.
Conducting Environmental History Checks and Fit and Proper Person Checks, essential for decision-making under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1+++ and other environmental legislation.
Providing strategic executive support to the Operations Coordination Committee, the peak decision-making committee responsible for allocating resources of the branch.
Ensuring Australia fulfills its international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in handling wildlife trade contraventions, management of seized specimens and meeting reporting obligations.
Improving operational efficiency, leading projects designed to enhance decision-making and optimise resource allocation across the branch.
The job
The Senior Triage Assessment Officer is responsible for conducting triage assessments on allegations of non-compliance under Commonwealth environmental legislation. Assessments are varied and span across multiple pieces of legislation. The role will also include undertaking tasks associated with wildlife seizures. Opportunities also exist to build and strengthen skills in developing Ministerial Correspondence, executive briefing and strategic reform activities. The duties may include, but are not limited to:
assessing allegations of non-compliance against a range of Commonwealth environmental legislation
developing an in-depth understanding of the context and operation of relevant Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation and policy frameworks
processing notifications of seized wildlife specimens, assessing requests for return and producing detailed and accurate decision briefs
undertaking analysis, evaluation and preparing accurate and high-quality briefing material to inform decision-makers of the potential impacts of non-compliance
managing complex stakeholder engagement through written, online and face-to-face activities and providing accurate regulatory advice
undertaking miscellaneous activities, including data analysis, coordinating correspondence and briefing material, and other administrative tasks
policy development, project management, stakeholder engagement and communication, conducting quality assurance and implementing business process improvement activities
assisting in the management, training and development of junior staff, and work with other staff within the team and across the department to achieve results.
What you’ll gain from the experience
Advanced government regulatory expertise – Working across multiple pieces of Commonwealth and State/Territory environmental legislation will build deep knowledge in environmental law, compliance frameworks, and regulatory decision-making.
Strategic thinking and leadership development – The role will provide opportunity to strengthen analytical skills, decision-making capabilities, and the ability to influence compliance outcomes, providing a solid foundation for government leadership roles.
Stakeholder engagement and strategic communication - Engaging with internal and external stakeholders and managing complex interactions enhances negotiation, relationship-building, and the ability to communicate regulatory decisions effectively.
Eligibility
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.
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