Senior Environmental Assessment Officer

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 143,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure seeks a Senior Environmental Assessment Officer to lead environmental assessment for major renewable energy projects in NSW. You will evaluate biodiversity, heritage, noise, visual impacts and hazards, delivering expert advice that balances environmental and community priorities.

In a fast-paced environment, you’ll engage diverse stakeholders, review EISs, and contribute to process improvements while supporting statutory timeframes and

Qualifications

• Ability to assess environmental merits of State significant renewable energy projects (solar, wind, storage).
• Experience with Environmental Impact Statements and assessment processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication for reports, briefs and advice.

Responsibilities

• Assess environmental issues across biodiversity, heritage, noise, visual impacts, transport and hazards.
• Prepare assessment reports, conditions of consent and briefing notes.
• Provide high-quality recommendations to inform timely decision-making.

Skills

Environmental impact assessment

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Project management

Process improvement

Education

Degree in environmental science or management, law, engineering, planning or other relevant discipline

Job description

Shape your world, in a team that shapes NSW communities, spaces and economies

• Permanent & Temporary full-time opportunities available,
• Parramatta location with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $142,695 to $152,731 + super
  

Join us and shape your worldin a workplace that empowers you to do your best work and build a meaningful career. Here, you can help to shape lives and communities in NSW, while shaping your own working life. In this role, you’ll enjoy flexible work options, varied and impactful projects, and a vibrant, diverse team culture that’s built on collaboration and support. In short, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs, that helps you balance work, life and well-being.

The role

As a Senior Environmental Assessment Officer in the Energy Assessments Team, you will play a key role in delivering the environmental assessment of some of NSW's most significant renewable energy projects. Working on large-scale developments including solar farms, wind farms, transmission lines, pumped hydro projects and battery energy storage systems (BESS), you will help shape the State's clean energy future while supporting Government priorities and statutory obligations.

You will assess complex environmental issues across biodiversity, heritage, noise, visual impacts, transport and hazards, providing expert advice that balances environmental, community and economic considerations. Working in a fast-paced and high-profile environment, you will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, analyse complex technical information and deliver high-quality recommendations that support timely decision-making.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to continuous improvement of environmental assessment processes, collaborate across government and industry, and help deliver critical renewable energy infrastructure across NSW.

For more information about this position, read the full Role Description: Senior Environmental Assessment Officer

What you will bring to the role

• Demonstrated ability to assess the environmental merits of complex State significant renewable energy projects, including large-scale solar farms, wind farms, transmission lines, pumped hydro projects and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
• Strong understanding of environmental impact assessment processes, with experience evaluating key issues such as biodiversity, heritage, noise, visual impacts, transport and hazards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality assessment reports, conditions of consent, briefing notes and advice, while translating complex technical information into clear and practical recommendations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically evaluate Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), identify key issues and develop innovative, evidence-based solutions.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with government agencies, consultants, proponents, community groups and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of work, balance competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes within statutory and benchmark timeframes in a dynamic environment.
• Experience contributing to process improvement initiatives, policy development or system enhancements that support efficient and effective environmental assessment outcomes.
  

What is an essential requirement

• Degree in environmental science or management, law, engineering, planning or other relevant discipline.
• Willingness to travel and (minimum) Class C Driver’s License.
  

About Us

At the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), you could shape your world while helping us shape the future of NSW. Together, we create vibrant communities, places and precincts, and manage land, assets and property.

We are a high-performing organisation that proudly reflects the communities we serve. Our diversity strengthens our cultural capability and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across NSW. As an inclusive and accessible workplace, we value your contribution, lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we want you to feel supported, connected and empowered to succeed. With flexible work arrangements, job share options, workplace adjustments and various employee affinity groups, we are here to help you thrive every day.

Applications close Monday 5 Oct 2026 at 11:55pm

Should you require further information about the role please contact Iwan Davies ([e-mail])

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via [e-mail] or [phone] - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.