Planning and Environmental Approvals Consultant

ERM; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Paid parental leave

Wellness days

Study assistance

Salary continuance insurance

EAP

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner to join our Brisbane team, leading environmental approvals and impact assessment across major projects in Queensland. You’ll work with experienced specialists across ERM's multidisciplinary and global network, while building your own client relationships, leading projects and mentoring developing consultants.

This hybrid role offers local and international opportunities within ERM’s global network, with a strong emphasis on rigorous environmental

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' relevant experience in environmental planning, impact assessment or approvals.
• Strong knowledge of Queensland planning and environmental legislation (e.g., Planning Act 2016, Environment Protection Act 1994).
• Experience across consultancy, government, industry or other relevant environments.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with strong analytical and strategic thinking.
• High integrity and ability to work independently and with teams.
• Right to work in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental impact assessment projects and complex approvals in Queensland.
• Manage multiple projects within scope, schedule, and budget with high-quality deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals and contribute to business development with clients.
• Mentor junior and mid-level consultants in environmental impact assessment.
• Collaborate with ERM’s multidisciplinary teams across the network.

Skills

Client relationship development

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Written and verbal communication

Presentation skills

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline

Job description

Help shape some of Queensland's most significant energy and infrastructure projects.

ERM is looking for a Senior Environmental Planner to join our Brisbane team, leading environmental approvals and impact assessment across major projects in Queensland. You'll work with experienced specialists across ERM's multidisciplinary and global network, while building your own client relationships, leading projects and mentoring developing consultants.

What Your Impact Is

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional looking to develop their career with a global sustainability leader on both local and international projects.

• Lead environmental impact assessment projects and complex approvals processes in Queensland and under relevant Commonwealth legislation.
• Manage multiple projects within scope, schedule, and budget while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals and contribute to business development activities with new and existing clients.
• Opportunity to mentor junior and mid-level consulting staff in environmental impact assessment and approvals.
• Build strong and collaborative relationships with colleagues across ERM’s multidisciplinary teams.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' relevant experience in environmental planning, impact assessment or approvals. We're open to candidates from consulting, government, industry or other relevant environments.
• Strong working knowledge of Queensland’s planning and environmental legislation, including all or some of the following:
  • Planning Act 2016
  • Environment Protection Act 1994
  • State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
• Broader experience across other jurisdictions, environmental management, or stakeholder engagement will be viewed favourably.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, combined with strong analytical and strategic thinking capability.
• High levels of professional integrity and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• The right to work in Australia

Who We Are:

As the world’s leading sustainability consulting firm, ERM is uniquely positioned to contribute to the environment and society through the expertise and energy of our employees worldwide. Sustainability is what we do and is at the heart of both our service offerings and how we operate our business. For our people, our vision means attracting, inspiring, developing and rewarding our people to work with the best clients and on the biggest challenges, thus creating valuable careers. We achieve our vision in a sustainable manner by maintaining and living our ERM beliefs that include Together we Challenge, Expertise is our Superpower, and Impact Ignites us.

Our benefits include:

• Clear career pathways through consulting and technical streams
• Global technical communities, enabling knowledge-sharing across a wide network of multidisciplinary practitioners
• Hybrid work environment, combine time in our Brisbane office with working from home
• Access to Claude and Copilot
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness 'You' days
• Study assistance policy
• Salary continuance insurance
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities
• Employee assistance program (EAP)