Advisor Environment & Heritage - Ecologist

Taleo; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 117,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free myki travel

Flexible working

Job summary

V/Line is seeking an Ecologist Advisor - Environment and Heritage to facilitate project delivery and major maintenance with specialist ecological input. You will conduct biodiversity assessments, flora surveys and prepare impact reports to support compliant decision-making across the regional rail network.

You will advise on environmental risks, coordinate regulatory submissions, and contribute to EMS documentation while engaging with regulators and project teams.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to conduct biodiversity assessments, targeted surveys and impact assessments.
• Strong knowledge of Commonwealth and Victorian environmental and planning legislation.
• Qualifications in Ecology or Environmental Sciences; terrestrial flora focus preferred.
• Vegetation Quality Assessment Accredited or eligible to acquire.
• 3–5 years in similar projects, construction or linear infrastructure roles.
• Stakeholder engagement and clear communication with diverse audiences.
• GIS experience is desirable; able to interpret ecological data for reports.
• Ability to identify and manage environmental risk within projects.
• Understanding EMS and ISO 14001:2015 familiarity.
• Rail/linear infrastructure experience is highly regarded.
• Familiarity with contaminated land, heritage, planning or sustainability disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biodiversity assessments and targeted flora surveys; prepare reports.
• Identify environmental impacts and advise on avoidance or mitigation.
• Prepare permit applications (FFG, planning permits, rail exemptions).
• Prepare EPBC referrals and EMS/management plans.
• Provide input to pre-start meetings and environmental inductions.
• Undertake site inspections for environmental controls.
• Advise onsite staff on environmental management practices.
• Prepare environmental information for stakeholders.
• Develop ecological awareness training materials.
• Liaise with regulators on behalf of V/Line.

Skills

Biodiversity assessments

Flora surveys

Environmental legislation

Stakeholder engagement

EMS ISO14001

GIS experience

Environmental risk management

Rail sector experience

Heritage & planning knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Ecology or Environmental Sciences degree

VQA Accredited (or eligible)

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Provide specialist advice to facilitate the delivery of VLine’s projects and major periodic maintenance

Deliver environmental assessments, targeted surveys (primarily flora) and impact assessments.

V/Line’s purpose is to connect Victorians through safe, reliable, and accessible transport. We believe in giving all Victorians opportunities through travel and transport – connecting them to jobs, education, family and friends, services, tourism and trade.

V/Line is experiencing significant growth and we’re delivering more services, more trains, cheaper fares, and huge projects. With more than 3700 weekly train and coach services, an expansive freight network and unprecedented rail investment, millions of Victorians depend on us to deliver. You could be one of our 2700 committed team members who are up to the challenge.

About the role

The Projects Group is responsible for developing, delivering and assuring project-related changes and improvements across the regional rail network.

The Group coordinates, integrates and delivers major projects and network change in a safe, collaborative and innovative manner, enabling V/Line to shape the improvement and modernisation of V/Line’s regional transport service.

OUR EVP

Supportive leadership at all levels - Strong leadership and a learning culture are central to the employee experience.

Team culture and environment, work-life balance - Employees value an environment where they can bring their whole selves to work and relationships are valued.

Variety of projects and continuous improvement - Work that stimulates, matters and contributes to something bigger.

The primary purpose of the Ecologist Advisor - Environment and Heritage position is to facilitate the delivery of VLine’s projects and major periodic maintenance by providing specialist environmental advice and assessments, in accordance with relevant legislation and internal procedures.

As well as performing duties specified in this position description an employee may be required to undertake other duties or functions consistent with their classification, capabilities, and skills.

• Conduct biodiversity assessments, targeted surveys (primarily flora), prepare technical reports and impact assessments.
• Identify and assess potential environmental impacts and risks, advise on appropriate avoidance or mitigation.
• Prepare and submit permit applications, such as Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG), Planning Permits, Railways / Transport Exemptions etc.
• Prepare and submit Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act Referrals
• Prepare Environmental Management System (EMS) documents such as construction environmental management plan (CEMP) and Management Plans
• Provide input to pre-start meetings and deliver environmental inductions.
• Undertake site inspections during works and post works to ensure compliance with environmental controls.
• Provide practical advice to onsite staff on environmental management.
• Prepare environmental information for all relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver ecological awareness training materials.
• Liaise with regulators on behalf of V/Line

If your skills or experience don’t exactly match our listed requirements, we still encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and believe in the potential for growth and development.

About you

Your role as the Ecologist Advisor - Environment and Heritage will report to the Senior Advisor – Environment & Heritage and you will provide subject matter expertise in Ecology.

Selection Criteria:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE and PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrated ability to conduct biodiversity assessments, targeted surveys (primarily flora), prepare technical reports and impact assessments. – Essential
• Sound working knowledge of Commonwealth and Victorian Environmental legislation, and interrelated Heritage and Planning legislation. – Essential
• Qualifications in Ecology, Environmental Sciences or equivalent (preferably tertiary qualifications and experience with terrestrial / flora ecology) – Essential
• Vegetation Quality Assessment (VQA) Accredited Assessor (or current eligibility to acquire) – Essential
• At least 3-5 years in a similar role (i.e. projects, construction or linear infrastructure) - Essential
• Stakeholder engagement and communication skills - Essential
• GIS Experience - Desirable
• Demonstrated ability to identify and effectively manage environmental risk
• Knowledge of current industry, political and community priorities regarding ecological matters in south-eastern Australia
• Understanding Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and familiarisation with ISO 14001:2015
• Rail, linear infrastructure or similar industry experience highly regarded.
• Familiarity with related disciplines highly regarded i.e. contaminated land management, heritage, planning, fire prevention or sustainability.
• Ability to balancing competing interests, prioritising and planning work
• Ability to inspire, motivate and educate.
• Ability to communicate environmental information to a wide variety of people with different professional backgrounds and priorities. Experience advising project managers and providing input to engineering designs highly regarded.

Why V/Line

In addition to free myki travel, we offer:

• Community impact – Make a genuine difference. Work in a role that connects Victorians, every day.
• Huge potential – We’re transforming, and you can too. Be a change maker, recognised for your contribution and creativity.
• Dynamic environment – V/Line operates in a constantly changing space. Join a fast-paced and exciting organisation.
• Collaborative team – You’ll be part of a broader supportive team. Surround yourself with talented, passionate peers.
• Flexible working – We support flexible working. Work in a way that supports you to thrive in your role.

We are committed to ensuring a comfortable and accessible recruitment experience. If you need any adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements at any stage of the process, please contact our Talent team at [e-mail] or 1800 800 007 for confidential support.

As an equal opportunity employer, V/Line is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace and network that reflects the communities we serve. We accept and value the contributions of all our employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. We were also named a Work 180 endorsed employer for the second year in a row – meaning, we are committed to creating a great workplace for women.

We proudly acknowledge First Peoples of Victoria. We acknowledge their ongoing strength in practicing the world’s oldest living culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners’ lands, waters, and skies on which we live and pay respects to their Elders past and present.

At V/Line, safety is our priority. Successful applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment and medical checks to meet our safeworking standards. V/Line is also a proud Child Safe employer.

This position offers a total remuneration package of $117,000–$145,000, inclusive of superannuation, depending on the successful candidate’s skills and experience.