Environmental Impact Assessment Officer

Every day our people provide reliable and trusted water services for more than 1.8 million South Australians. Our work helps ensure this state is a sustainable and healthy place to work and live.

Our business supports our state’s prosperity and is significant in both size and impact. With a commitment to being climate-ready, we are guided by environmental goals and practices that enable continued service delivery, not just for today’s community, but for future generations.

For more than 165 years we have been delivering services for South Australians. Ongoing adaptation is necessary, and our people are encouraged to share and develop innovative solutions and fresh ideas.

In short, we make a positive different to the lives of South Australians and the communities they live in every day.

About the job

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance? Do you have a keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering world-class environmental practices? SA Water is seeking dedicated Environmental Impact Assessment Officers to provide expert advice and services across our Asset Lifecycle, ensuring that environmental, heritage, and development approvals are in place, compliant, and aligned with our goal of achieving sustainable outcomes.

Multiple opportunities are available, and we encourage early applications.

About the Person

You are a passionate and detail-oriented environmental professional with a deep understanding of environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance. You thrive in dynamic environments, where your expertise in managing environmental, heritage, and development approvals ensures projects run smoothly and sustainably. Your ability to identify risks, provide clear guidance, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders sets you apart from others.

We welcome applications from graduates with relevant experience who are eager to contribute and grow in this role.

About Science and Strategy

The Science and Strategy group employs scientific approaches to address present and upcoming challenges. They execute a strategy driven by customer preferences to elevate the SA Water brand and position us for future success.

Your responsibilities for this opportunity

Fostering trust with our people, customers and community by providing expert advice and service that ensure we effectively communicate and engage audiences with our business strategy and its delivery across South Australia, every day.

You will:

Provide thorough assessments to ensure that all environmental, heritage, and development approvals are identified, facilitated, and understood, minimising delays or costs to projects.
Conduct and manage environmental and heritage assessments, ensuring risks and impacts are identified, understood, and mitigated. Review Contractor Environmental Management Plans to ensure compliance with identified risks and approval conditions.
Perform inspections and audits based on risk to ensure management plans are effectively implemented, and communicate outcomes to contractors and project managers
Maintain and implement environmental frameworks, including Water Affecting Activity and Native Vegetation Clearance approvals, to maximise efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.
Your success in this role will come from:

Tertiary qualifications in a science or environment discipline or equivalent experience.
Experience in undertaking environmental impact assessments and demonstrated experience in environmental auditing and inspections.
Knowledge of Commonwealth and State planning, environmental and heritage legislation relevant to environmental impact assessment.
Skills in collaboration, communication, negotiation and influencing.
Experience in contract management and working with contractors to achieve outcomes – Desirable.
Knowledge of Environmental Management Systems and understanding of environmental sustainability approaches – Desirable.
Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal Heritage issues associated with delivering infrastructure projects – Desirable.
Sound understanding of potential environmental impacts relating to SA Water’s activities – Desirable.