Senior Environmental Consultant, Environmental Approvals

WSP Australia Pty Limited; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP Australia Pty Limited is seeking a Senior Environmental Consultant – Environmental Approvals in Adelaide to lead statutory approvals for major infrastructure, energy and data centre projects and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

You will mentor junior staff, engage regulators and stakeholders, and develop approvals strategies, ensuring compliant, defensible outcomes across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Ecology, or related field (postgraduate qualifications are a bonus).
• 10+ years of experience in environmental planning and approvals, ideally in the energy and resources sector.
• Experience leading projects related to environment impact assessment and approvals.
• High level understanding of environmental legislation and policy frameworks in Australia.
• Familiarity with GIS, data analysis, or digital tools for environmental assessment (helpful but not essential).
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate statutory approvals — including Planning Permit and EPA Development Licence applications, and approvals under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 and EPBC Act in South Australia — to deliver outcomes aligned with project and client goals
• Develop approvals strategies and due diligence advice for major infrastructure, renewable energy and data centre projects, including red flags assessments, site suitability studies and identification of approval pathways, risks and referral triggers
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams (ecologists, acousticians, air quality, contaminated land, sustainability, traffic, heritage and engineering specialists) to prepare quality technical studies that respond to evolving regulatory and stakeholder requirements
• Direct environmental assessments, technical studies and management plans across all phases of construction, providing senior oversight and technical assurance to a range of contractors and delivery partners
• Manage stakeholder and regulator engagement with authorities such as the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport, DEW, EPA, local councils and Traditional Owners to build robust, defensible approvals pathways
• Contribute to proposals and business development in a collaborative, team-oriented way
• Mentor, coach and develop the junior and intermediate team, with a focus on knowledge transfer, regulatory capability and building the depth of the environmental approvals team

Skills

Environmental approvals

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Environmental Science 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. You’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, explore new ideas, and grow your career in a supportive environment that values curiosity, diversity, and innovation.
WSP’s Environmental Approvals team contribute to some of Australia’s most interesting and innovative projects across broad sectors including resources, infrastructure, energy and defence.
Due to consistent growth and a strong project pipeline, our South Australian Approvals team are looking for a senior Environmental Approvals consultant ideally with strong experience across the energy and resources sector.
As a Senior Environmental Consultant – Environmental Approvals you will:

• Lead and coordinate statutory approvals — including Planning Permit and EPA Development Licence applications, and approvals under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 and EPBC Act in South Australia — to deliver outcomes aligned with project and client goals
• Develop approvals strategies and due diligence advice for major infrastructure, renewable energy and data centre projects, including red flags assessments, site suitability studies and identification of approval pathways, risks and referral triggers
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams (ecologists, acousticians, air quality, contaminated land, sustainability, traffic, heritage and engineering specialists) to prepare quality technical studies that respond to evolving regulatory and stakeholder requirements
• Direct environmental assessments, technical studies and management plans across all phases of construction, providing senior oversight and technical assurance to a range of contractors and delivery partners
• Manage stakeholder and regulator engagement with authorities such as the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport, DEW, EPA, local councils and Traditional Owners to build robust, defensible approvals pathways
• Contribute to proposals and business development in a collaborative, team-oriented way
• Mentor, coach and develop the junior and intermediate team, with a focus on knowledge transfer, regulatory capability and building the depth of the environmental approvals team

About You
You are someone who enjoys working collaboratively, solving complex problems, and making a positive impact. You’ll play a key role in shaping best-practice environmental outcomes and supporting the growth of our team.
We are open to a range of backgrounds and experiences, but ideally, you’ll bring:

• A degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Ecology, or a related field (postgraduate qualifications are a bonus)
• 10+ years of experience in environmental planning and approvals, ideally in the energy and resources sector
• Experience leading projects related to environment impact assessment and approvals
• High level understanding of environmental legislation and policy frameworks in Australia
• Familiarity with GIS, data analysis, or digital tools for environmental assessment (helpful but not essential)
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset

Why WSP?

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 WSP’s Earth and Environment business, a nationally renowned business unit with a proven history of delivery high-quality innovative work across sectors.
• 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.

Discover more on our https://www.wsp.com/en-au/careers/why-join-us/employee-benefits page.

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