Senior Environmental Assessment and Approvals Specialist

About the role

Western Power is offering two opportunities for Senior Environmental Assessment and Approvals Specialists in its Perth CBD office: one permanent position and one 12-month secondment / maximum term contract. The role leads and supports the development of strategic network plans and asset strategies, identifies the safety, health and environment (SHE) requirements of work programs, and influences external stakeholders to secure statutory approvals for future network growth, development and protection.

Key responsibilities

• Identify key environmental, planning and heritage constraints to support project design, scoping and delivery, and provide timely environmental advice covering technical, operational, approvals, strategy and risk aspects.
• Support and mentor the business in identifying, assessing, managing and acquitting SHE requirements such as environmental, pollution, land access, urban and regional planning and public safety needs.
• Influence strategic network plans, asset strategies, network design standards and work programs to reduce risk to the level as low as reasonably practicable.
• Lead and support SHE requirements governing access to the network for construction, maintenance and inspection.
• Build relationships with external planning and infrastructure stakeholders to place network assets appropriately.
• Monitor and improve SHE requirements through a closed-loop feedback process.
• Act as subject matter expert on environment, heritage and urban and regional planning for the SHE or SP&A function and the wider business, and represent the function at internal and external engagements and training.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, science, urban and regional planning, law or a related discipline.
• Solid experience in environment, heritage and statutory planning approvals.
• Experience in public and environmental safety matters and in developing risk-reducing performance improvement strategies.
• Demonstrated experience with community engagement and in influencing internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work autonomously in a dynamic environment.
• Sound understanding of infrastructure planning, land development, environmental assessment and heritage and land access regulations.

Required skills

• Stakeholder management, communication and written skills.
• Managing environmental consultants (engagement, contract performance and financial management) is desirable.

What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements, including part-time work, working from home and job share.
• Up to four extra weeks of leave per year, plus three wellness leave days annually.
• Salary packaging, social club activities and discounted health insurance and gym membership.
• Employee recognition and benefits programme, and end-of-trip facilities at the Perth office and depot.
• 22 weeks of paid parental leave and five days of First Nations cultural leave.