Senior Environmental Officer

• A varied and challenging role, which will provide technical expertise, manage regulatory reporting, and implement environmental management strategies to protect public health and the environment.
• Competitive annual salary commencing at $96,888, plus up to 14% superannuation
• Great range of additional benefits, including health & wellness programs, salary sacrifice options, salary packaging arrangements and a fortnightly RDO.

About the Region

Gympie is at the heart of a rapidly expanding region which stretches from rural valleys in our western reaches to the Cooloola Coast.  Bordering Noosa and Fraser Coast Local Government areas, we are uniquely positioned to grow whilst still retaining our country charm.  Our borders with North and South Burnett, and the Somerset Local Government areas link with our rural lifestyle, where you can enjoy our picturesque smaller townships, or our abundant local history.  Our local festivals such as the Gympie Music Muster are renowned both nationally and internationally. 

For someone seeking a high quality of life, with pristine natural areas and spectacular beaches, all within reach of Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, we are offering this unique opportunity.  

Senior Environmental Officer 

Remuneration: Annual salary commencing at $96,888, plus up to 14% superannuation

Closing Date: Sunday 22nd February 2026at 11.00pm AEST

No late applications will be accepted.  Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered. Unsolicited applications from agencies will not be considered. 

Role Overview

The Senior Environmental Officer plays a vital role in reducing environmental and public health risks, ensuring compliance with legislation, and supporting Council’s water, sewage, and recycled water systems. The role provides technical expertise, manages regulatory reporting, and implements environmental management strategies to protect public health and the environment.

Essential Knowledge & Skills:

• Qualifications in Science, Environmental Science or related field:
• Degree (preferred) with extensive relevant experience OR
• Associate Diploma with extensive relevant experience OR
• Or, lesser formal qualifications combined with significant relevant experience.
• Queensland ‘C’ Class driver’s licence that is current and maintained.

Skills and Abilities:
•    Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, building effective relationships.
•    Strong time management and organisational skills to prioritise workloads and deadlines.
•    High-level communication skills for effective interaction with staff and stakeholders.
•    Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
•    Ability to research, analyse, interpret, and summarise data to provide meaningful insights.
•    Capability to exercise initiative, judgment, confidentiality, tact, and discretion in daily tasks.
•    Experience supervising and managing employees and contractors, with skills in coaching, motivating, and managing performance issues.
•    Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and legislation in work practices.

Experience and Knowledge:
•    Practical experience in environmental management.
•    Experience in preparing reports and meeting regulatory reporting requirements within the water industry.
•    Detailed understanding of technical and environmental requirements.

Essential Requirements: 

• Identify, manage, and reduce environmental and public health risks through effective project support and the implementation of management strategies.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and public health legislation, operational requirements, and Council policies.
• Develop, review, and implement procedures, guidelines, and policies to improve reporting systems and environmental compliance.
• Manage and deliver reports to regulatory bodies, including environmental and drinking water incident reports, annual returns, and monitoring program reports.
• Collect, analyse, and store data for Council records and ensure timely, accurate reporting for regulatory and operational needs.
• Coordinate and maintain environmental and water quality monitoring programs, including sampling for drinking water, recycled water, surface water, groundwater, landfill gas, biosolids, and other required elements.
• Provide technical expert advice, guidance, and direction to less experienced staff, managing assigned technically complex and contentious matters.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, community groups, industry representatives, and the public, to address environmental, public health, and compliance issues, escalating ambiguous matters when necessary.
• Foster a workplace culture that prioritises health, safety, psychological wellbeing, and ethical behaviour, consistent with Council’s values.
• Build positive relationships within the Water branch and across Council directorates to foster collaboration and teamwork.

Position Description

For a full position description containing essential and desirable criteria, please click here. 

Who to Contact

For information regarding the requirements of this role, please contact Council's Principal Water Engineer, Peter Willey via email peter.willey@gympie.qld.gov.au

For assistance lodging your application using Council's online system, please contact Council's Officer Recruitment, Sue Rossi on 07-5481 0971 or email sue.rossi@gympie.qld.gov.au

 What we offer?

• Nine day fortnight
• Access to employee health and well-being programs
• Fitness Passport: work out at over 25 local gyms for you and your family at a subsidised rate
• Long service leave after seven years
• Generous superannuation scheme of up to 14 per cent
• Access to salary sacrificing and salary packaging arrangements
• Employee assistance program offering free confidential counselling services for employees and their families.

Our Values

• Accountability
• Communication
• Customer Service Focused
• Integrity
• Teamwork and Collaboration

For a full explanation of our values please click here.  You will be assessed on your understanding of these values and how you have applied values such as these in your previous employment.

Our Process

Successful applicants will be required to undertake various checks such as skills, qualifications, reference, medical and national police.

Keen to apply? -  Simply follow the instructions below:

1) Download and review the position description above
2) Complete the information below as requested using your personal email. 
3) Click 'APPLY'
4) Attach your resume, covering letter and a single document containing copies of your qualifications, licences or tickets as applicable.
5) Click 'NEXT' and 'CONFIRM'

Please note before continuing: It is advisable that you prepare your responses in a separate word or text document, saving your work as you go and that you then copy and paste this prepared information in the form before completing the application process. Please keep your responses to a maximum 300 words for each question.

Applications close on Sunday 22nd February 2026 at 11.00pm AEST. No late applications will be accepted. Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered.

Gympie Regional Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our people represent the community which we service. We invite all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations People, and people from diverse social, cultural and gender backgrounds.