Environmental Officer

Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD – Cairns QLD is seeking an Environmental Officer to support Marine Infrastructure Investment Program projects across Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands. Based in Cairns, you will provide specialist environmental advice, conduct assessments, and help with approvals to protect the marine environment.

You will travel regularly to the Torres Strait region, engage with diverse stakeholders, and manage environmental permits, audits, and planning.

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental management for marine infrastructure projects.
• Experience preparing environmental assessments and permits.
• Strong communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Prepare environmental assessments, management plans, and technical notes.
• Assist in acquiring and reporting environmental permits and approvals.
• Manage external consultants' designs and environmental deliverables.
• Prepare responses to environmental inquiries for MIIP/TSIMIP.
• Collaborate with the team to achieve branch outcomes.

Skills

Environmental management

Environmental impact assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Marine Biology / Environmental Science / Environmental Management / Natural Resource Management degree

Job description

Department of Transport and Main Roads QLD – Cairns QLD

Join Maritime Safety Queensland as an Environmental Officer and help deliver critical marine infrastructure projects across Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands.

Based in Cairns, you'll provide specialist environmental advice, support project approvals, undertake environmental assessments and contribute to projects that make a real difference to communities and the marine environment.

Opportunities

• Opportunity to work on meaningful marine infrastructure projects across Queensland.
• Regular travel to the Torres Strait region and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
• Exposure to environmental approvals, assessments, audits and environmental management planning.
• Collaborative and inclusive team environment within Maritime Safety Queensland.
• Career development opportunities within Transport and Main Roads.

In the role of PO3 Environmental Officer, you will provide a range of specialist environmental services and advice to support the delivery of the Marine Infrastructure Investment Program (MIIP), including the Torres Strait Islands Marine Infrastructure Program (TSIMIP).

Key responsibilities

• Prepare environmental assessments, environmental management plans, reports, notifications, audits and technical notes.
• Assist in the acquisition, management and reporting of project environmental permits and approvals.
• Manage, procure, and review external consultant's designs, reports, or other environmental deliverables.
• Prepare responses to enquiries relating to environmental matters for the MIIP and TSIMIP.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment to achieve team and broader branch business outcomes, including assisting other team members with associated program activities as necessary.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in obtaining environmental approvals for marine infrastructure projects would be highly desirable.

Mandatory qualifications and conditions

• Current 'C' class driver's license.
• Frequent and regular travel, including overnight, or for extended periods, to the Torres Strait Region and Maritime Safety Queensland's Brisbane Head Office is a requirement of this role.
• Possession of a degree in Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management or Natural Resource Management.
• Due to this role having access to sensitive data, a criminal history check will be undertaken prior to appointment to the role.

Requirements of the role

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in environmental management, including preparing environmental assessments, writing, compiling, and lodging applications for permits and approvals.
• Experience in conducting environmental audits on construction projects, preparing audit reports, and communicating with contractors to mitigate any environmental risks.
• Takes responsibility for managing work projects to achieve results - Sets priorities and organises self to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, as well as communication skills, both orally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders on complex matters.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/702037/26
C
losing Date: Thursday, 8 October 2026