Environmental Project Officer

Downer; Canberra; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development

Internal career opportunities (30% of

Healthcare discounts

Savings on retail purchases

Car purchases

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Downer Defence Property & Asset Services is seeking an Environmental Project Officer to support environmental project services across ACT and NSW Defence bases. You’ll report to the Environmental Project Supervisor and help deliver compliant, high-quality outcomes.

The role requires a degree in Environmental Science, several years’ experience, and knowledge of EPBC Act and environmental legislation. You’ll work with regulators, contractors and Defence partners to advance sustainability and risk

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Science or related discipline.
• Experience with bushfire management and land management programs.
• Knowledge of EPBC Act requirements and environmental compliance obligations.
• Experience with ecology-related disciplines and environmental risk mitigation.
• Strong project delivery, contract administration and technical reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering environmental project services across the Defence estate and client outcomes.
• Prepare and implement Environmental Management Plans, audits and reporting.
• Support programs including bushfire risk reduction, weed control and sustainability initiatives.
• Liaise with Defence representatives, regulators, consultants, subcontractors and community groups.
• Promote safe work practices through risk assessments and SWMS.

Skills

Bushfire management

Land management

Environmental legislation

Ecology disciplines

Project delivery

Contract administration

Technical report writing

Regulatory liaison

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or related discipline

Job description

Opportunity for an Environmental Project Officer to join our Defence Property & Asset Services team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of environmental project services across ACT and NSW Defence bases.

We currently have an opportunity for an Environmental Project Officer to join our Defence Property & Asset Services team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of environmental project services across ACT and NSW Defence estates.

Reporting to the Environmental Project Supervisor, you'll help deliver high-quality outcomes that support our essential services. You'll assist in the delivery of environmental services that help maintain compliance with contractual, legislative, WHS and Defence environmental requirements.

What You’ll Do

This role offers a broad scope, with key responsibilities include:

• Assist in delivering environmental project services across the Defence estate, supporting contractual and client outcomes.
• Prepare and implement Environmental Management Plans, audits and reporting in line with legal, Defence and contractual requirements.
• Support programs including bushfire risk reduction, weed control, pest management, sustainability initiatives and environmental improvement projects.
• Liaise with Defence representatives, regulatory bodies, consultants, subcontractors and community groups.
• Promote Zero Harm by supporting risk assessments, SWMS, safety checks, hazard reporting and safe work practices.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree qualification in Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Practical experience supporting bushfire management and land management programs.
• Understanding of EPBC Act requirements and environmental compliance obligations.
• Knowledge of vertebrate pest management and environmental risk mitigation practices.
• Experience in ecology-related disciplines including vegetation, fauna and/or geology.
• At least five years' environmental experience in a comparable operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation and Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) principles.
• Demonstrated experience in project delivery, contract administration, quality management and technical report writing.
• Australian Citizenship, a current Driver Licence, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance.

More than anything, you'll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer?

At Downer, we plan, create, and sustain essential public services across Australia and New Zealand. From hospitals to data centres and defence partnerships, we manage critical infrastructure that keeps communities thriving.

What It Means to Belong at Downer

We’re proud of our high-performance culture and commitment to diversity, offering:

• Training and development to support and diversify your career.
• With 30% of vacancies filled internally you’ll find real opportunities to advance your career.
• Perks@Downer: healthcare discounts, great savings on retail purchases, car purchases and much more.
• Employee Assistance Program: professional support for you and your family when you need it most.

You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.