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Principal Planning Officer Assessments / Team Leader to support State significant Energy Projects, such as solar farms, big batteries, wind farms, pumped hydro and transmission lines
Multiple permanent opportunities now available
Temporary opportunities available until 30 June 2026
Parramatta office with flexible working arrangements available
Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $141,175 to $164,405 + super

Are you an environmental or renewable energy professional, developer, consultant, planner, scientist, or engineer who is looking to progress your career in a dynamic and rewarding role in the renewable energy sector?

The Energy Assessments team works on large scale wind farms, solar farms, transmission lines, pumped hydro and batteries (BESS) across NSW and is seeking a Principal Planning Officer/Team Leader to coordinate and assist in the effective, high quality and timely environmental assessment of the merits of State significant energy projects to meet statutory obligations and Government policy objectives.

About You

Our Principal Planning Officer/Team Leader assists in coordinating the day-to-day activities of a project team and provide advice, support, direction and written reports to deliver State significant energy project assessments and determinations consistent with applicable legislation, policy and procedures (such as large-scale wind farms, solar farms, transmission lines, pumped hydro and batteries).

You will drive the implementation of best practice and innovative processes to meet Government goals for a more robust and efficient state planning system that achieves strategic infrastructure, economic and growth objectives for renewable energy projects.

Join our team of dedicated environmental assessment officers and planners supporting major infrastructure programs for the people and communities of NSW and receive professional development and training, flex-time (35hr working week), flexible WFH, fitness passport and more!

About the role

Assess the merits of complex State significant energy projects in line with best practice frameworks and benchmark assessment outcome turnaround times, such as solar farms, big batteries, wind farms, pumped hydro and transmission lines.
Produce high quality work on a wide range of planning matters, including the preparation of well written reports and briefing notes and effective conditions of consent.
Identify, critically analyse and evaluate key issues, recommend innovative options, solutions, practices and processes to enable timely responses to customer enquiries and to assist in resolving disputes.
Assist in the development of policy to improve assessment processes and to guide the assessment of the merits of projects.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of systems and ongoing improvements to increase team efficiency and effectiveness.

Key knowledge and experience

Demonstrated knowledge of relevant environmental assessment and planning or environmental legislation and processes

Essential requirements

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

For more information read the full Role Description: Principal Planning Officer Assessments

Join us

Apply online with your resume and cover letter. Applications close Sunday 15 December 2024 at 11:55PM.

For further information please contact the hiring manager Iwan Davies via iwan.davies@planning.nsw.gov.au.

What’s in it for me?

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.

About us

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

If we can make adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team on Diversity@DPIE.nsw.gov.au If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out our Aboriginal guide to applying for a role.

Role Description

Environmental

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Principal Planning Officer Assessments (Environmental)