Community Engagement Officer

Illawarra Mercury; Coniston; Hybrid; AUD 115,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in NSW is seeking a Communication Engagement Officer to lead community engagement strategies and work collaboratively on environmental projects. The role offers a salary range of $115,817 to $130,667 plus super. Ideal candidates will have experience in community engagement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders. This position supports a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing and delivering community engagement programs.
• Understanding of stakeholder needs and effective engagement tools.
• Capacity to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate community engagement strategies.
• Research and identify stakeholder issues and needs.
• Provide technical input for reports and correspondence.

Skills

Experience in community engagement

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

Relevant qualifications in community engagement

Job description

Overview

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW? Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

Communication Engagement Officer (Environment Officer Class 8)

• 2 x Temporary Opportunities until 30 June 2026
• Locations are Parramatta, Albury and Wollongong - regional locations encouraged/Hybrid working supported.
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $115,817 to $130,667 + super

Join our Water for the Environment team working with communities on a project looking to help reshape how water for the environment is managed in our inland river systems. The Community Engagement Officers will work with a variety of stakeholders to deliver audience-specific engagement opportunities that meet the needs of communities and support the objectives of the program.

About You

• Do you have experience in community engagement?
• Do you have a passion for working with stakeholders to meet their information and engagement needs?
• Do you have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail?
• Would you like to use your skills to improve our natural environment?
• Do you work well in a collaborative team?

Use your experience to provide advice for the development and implementation of effective engagement processes and play a key role in identifying issues and needs of target audiences. Your skills across a range of engagement tools will assist targeting a diverse array of stakeholders to support delivery of priority regional program outcomes. The successful applicant will be an experienced engagement practitioner, excellent communicator, self-motivated, strategic, and keen to work collaboratively with many staff across DCCEEW and other NSW Government agencies.

Role Responsibilities

• Coordinate the delivery of community engagement strategies that promote regional community engagement programs optimised for identified customer needs
• Help proactively position us as a leader in community engagement and facilitate enhanced participation in programs
• Influence effective community engagement program design and delivery by researching and identifying the specific issues, needs and interests of target audiences
• Identify and recommend issues impacting on future community engagement strategies, approaches and programming
• Provide technical input into the accurate and timely preparation of reports, submissions, briefing notes and ministerial correspondence
• Provide advice to management on the development and implementation of regional community engagement strategies, initiatives and programs
• Support effective project management of multidisciplinary teams by preparing and submitting high quality project plans and briefs

To Be Successful

• Relevant qualifications and/or experience in community engagement
• Experience in preparing and delivering community engagement programs for a variety of stakeholders, in particular rural communities
• Ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and organisations to deliver successful projects
• Excellent communication skills, self-motivated and eager to contribute to team outcomes
• Capacity to travel as needed
• Driver’s licence

For more information read the full Role Description: EO8 Community Officer Engagement, EW Governance.

Who We Are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy. DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations. DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry. We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

Participation in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS)

Please read the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Protocol to understand if it applies to your circumstances. All applicants for this role and new employees with an existing defined interest in the BOS will be required to disclose their personal (or a close family member’s) participation to ensure potential conflict of interests are declared and managed appropriately.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role. Applications close: Thursday, 2 October 2025 at 11.55pm. Should you require further information about the role please contact Kate Benson via ***********@dcceew.nsw.gov.au or on 0474 556 ***. A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing *********@dpie.nsw.gov.au contacting Vithiya Yogarajah on 0482 646 *** (please mention reference number 545126).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube and LinkedIn.