Principal Environmental Professional

Vestas; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Diversity and Inclusion

Flexible workplace arrangements

Paid Primary Carers Leave

Paid Secondary Carers Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Vestas Australia, part of the global wind energy leader, seeks a Principal Environmental Professional to provide strategic environmental leadership across major renewable energy and infrastructure projects. You will work with project, engineering and construction teams to lead environmental approvals, compliance, stakeholder engagement and risk management.

You will help standardise environmental processes, contribute to sustainability reporting and ensure alignment with ISO 14001 and regulatory

Qualifications

• Environmental science, engineering or related degree.
• ICAM investigation experience is required.
• Lead auditor qualification is essential.
• Ability to simplify, standardise and scale environmental processes.
• Strong ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of environmental risk management.
• Proficiency in MS Office and QGIS.
• Sound knowledge of environmental legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide environmental leadership and advisory support for design, construction, and operations to ensure compliance.
• Lead environmental approvals, compliance checks and risk management activities.
• Conduct site inspections, audits, and reviews of environmental plans.
• Develop toolbox talks, site inductions and awareness resources.
• Prepare Construction Environmental Management Plans and other documents for construction/operations.
• Standardise environmental management processes and reporting.
• Contribute to lessons learned and sustainability reporting.
• Collaborate with clients, contractors and regulators on environmental matters.

Skills

Environmental leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

ICAM investigation

Strategic environmental guidance

Education

Environmental science, engineering or related

Lead auditor qualification

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint)

QGIS

Job description

Job Family Quality, Health, Safety and Environment

Professional | Full-Time | Quality, Health, Safety and Environment

At Vestas Australia, our Projects team delivers world-class renewable energy solutions that support Australia's clean energy transition. Backed by Vestas' global leadership in sustainable energy solutions and a presence in more than 80 countries, we work across development, engineering, construction, and commissioning to safely and efficiently deliver energy projects that create lasting value for our customers, communities, and the environment. Join our team as a Principal Environmental Professional, where you will provide expert environmental leadership and strategic guidance across major renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Working closely with project, engineering, and construction teams, you will lead environmental approvals, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and risk management activities to support successful project delivery. This is an opportunity to influence environmental outcomes at a strategic level while driving best-practice sustainability and regulatory compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective environmental advice and support to ensure compliance with client and regulatory requirements during design, construction, and operations.
• Conduct environmental site inspections, audits, and compliance reviews to verify that contractors adhere to the Construction Environmental Management Plan and associated plans and obligations.
• Investigate environmental incidents, identify and implement corrective actions through to resolution, and elevate incidents requiring State or Commonwealth notification.
• Prepare environmental toolbox materials, site inductions, and environmental awareness resources as required.
• Prepare Construction Environmental Management Plans and other environmental documentation required for construction and operations.
• Contribute to the standardisation and simplification of environmental management processes, systems, and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to lessons learned initiatives and the sharing of innovative practices.
• Contribute to corporate sustainability reporting obligations.
• Contribute to organisational change initiatives that improve environmental performance, governance, and business integration.
• Support the effectiveness of the regional Environmental Management System in alignment with ISO 14001 requirements.
• Provide environmental advice during risk assessments, HAZCONs, design reviews, tenders, and contract negotiations with clients and subcontractors.
• Liaise effectively with clients', contractors', and consultants' environmental advisors, as well as regulators, when required.
• Ensure all work is carried out in compliance with Vestas Health, Safety and Environment requirements and in accordance with Vestas policies, objectives, and targets.

Qualifications

• Environmental science, engineering or related
• ICAM investigation experience.
• Lead auditor qualification.
• Proven ability to simplify, standardise, and scale environmental processes.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of environmental risk management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint; and QGIS.
• Sound knowledge of environmental legislation.

What we offer

• Excellent Career Development opportunities both Nationally and Globally
• A workplace that embraces Diversity and Inclusion
• Flexible workplace arrangements
• 18 weeks Paid Primary Carers Leave
• 3 weeks Paid Secondary Carers Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

Vestas is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from those who identify as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Our commitment to a fair hiring

At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV/resume. Your CV/resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.

DEIB Statement

At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

About Vestas

Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 200 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field. With 39,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future. Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity. To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.

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