Senior Environmental Advisor

WSP; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Newcastle, NSW is seeking a Senior Environmental Advisor to support Hunter Water Corporation in the Infrastructure Delivery team. You will lead environmental performance on active construction sites and mentor a small team.

Candidate should have 7–10 years in environmental management with strong construction site exposure, and the ability to deliver practical, commercially aware solutions across water, road, and related works.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of environmental management experience, ideally with construction site exposure.
• Ability to lead, mentor and support a small team.
• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation relevant to construction sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental performance across projects in the construction delivery phase.
• Provide advice on environmental issues arising across active construction sites.
• Oversee review and improvement of environmental management plans.
• Collaborate with delivery partners, contractors and joint venture stakeholders to manage environmental risks.
• Mentor junior team members and provide day‑to‑day support.

Skills

Environmental management

Construction site exposure

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication skills

Driver's license

White card

Auditor qualification

Education

Environmental science degree

Environmental management degree

Job description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

The Opportunity

Our NSW Environmental Approvals team is currently looking for a Senior Environmental Advisor to provide dedicated project support to one of our key clients, Hunter Water Corporation, within their Infrastructure Delivery team. With projects including desalination plant construction, water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades, stormwater and renewable energy, this is an opportunity to support a key water utility on its sustainability journey.

Based in Newcastle, NSW, with site travel across the broader Hunter Region, this role will suit an experienced environmental professional with strong construction site experience who is ready to step into a hands‑on leadership role.

You’ll play a key role in managing environmental issues across active construction sites, working closely with delivery partners, contractors and joint venture stakeholders to identify, address and manage environmental risks in a practical, commercially aware way. This is a great opportunity for someone with around 7 to 10 years’ experience who understands what good environmental management looks like in a live construction environment and can confidently lead, mentor and support a small team.

What you’ll do

• Lead environmental performance across projects in the construction delivery phase.
• Manage and provide advice on environmental issues arising across active construction sites.
• Oversee the review, implementation and ongoing improvement of environmental management plans.
• Work closely with delivery partners, contractors and joint venture stakeholders to manage environmental risks and support project outcomes.
• Guide the timely and on‑scope delivery of city and community‑enhancing construction projects.
• Provide senior technical guidance, mentoring and day‑to‑day support to junior team members.
• Support the delivery of major capital projects, including water and infrastructure‑related works.
• Provide environmental auditing capability in the post‑approvals space.
• Contribute to planning and approvals processes with the support of a broader experienced team.
• Help develop practical responses to construction‑related environmental challenges across water, road, powerline or similar infrastructure sites.

About You

You’re an experienced environmental professional who understands the realities of working on construction sites. You know how to identify environmental issues early, provide practical advice, work with contractors and delivery partners, and support project teams to manage environmental obligations without slowing momentum.

You’ll bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in environmental science, environmental management or a related discipline.
• Around 7 to 10 years’ experience in environmental management, ideally with strong construction site exposure.
• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation applicable to construction sites and projects.
• The confidence to lead and support a team, including mentoring junior environmental professionals.
• Experience working with contractors, delivery partners or within a joint venture environment.
• Practical knowledge of environmental requirements across infrastructure construction sites, such as water, road, powerline or similar projects.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to tailor advice for different audiences.
• Proven ability to prepare clear reports and outputs in plain English.
• The ability to work with minimal supervision and confidently engage with a broad range of stakeholders.
• A valid driver’s licence and white card.
• Auditor qualification, or willingness to obtain and maintain Environmental Lead Auditor accreditation.

Experience working with a water utility or on water infrastructure projects would be highly regarded but is not essential.

Imagine a better future for you, and for us all.

• Joining WSP means becoming part of a global team of over 73,000, united by a shared passion for making a positive impact.
• Join one of Australia's Highest Performing Approvals teams supporting Hunter Water during an exciting period of growth and innovation
• Deliver work that genuinely shapes communities, grounded in WSP’s mission to provide sustainable solutions with deep environmental and social responsibility.
• Grow in a culture built on collaboration, inclusion, and belonging, where diverse perspectives power innovation and employees feel valued and supported.
• Enjoy work/life flexibility and strong career pathways, plus global mobility, health and wellbeing programs, and social initiatives.