Environment Protection Authority
Regulation & Compliance Division
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Title of Position:
Environmental Scientist / Engineer
Remuneration Level:
PO2
Position Number:
Career Group:
CGP02
Position Created:
EA0240
Date Position Last Updated: September 2007
Type of Appointment:
Ongoing
Temporary Contract
End Date: 30/11/08
1-5 Year Contract
End Date:
Casual Contract
Hours Per Week:
Part Time
Hours Per Week:
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION APPROVAL:
All excluding Executive Positions
……………………………….
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CE or Delegate
Executive Positions
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Commissioner for Public Employment
JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position, and its responsibilities/duties (Its
expected outcome and how it is achieved).
The Environmental Scientist / Engineer is accountable to the Principal Advisor,
Performance Reporting. Their primary role is assisting in the coordination of the NPI
within the EPA, increasing the opportunities for utilisation of the NPI within the EPA
and raising awareness of the NPI program. The Environmental Scientist / Engineer
will provide specialist advice to new and existing reporters on their NPI industry
emissions reports and will participate in industry inspections, and will assist new NPI
reporters to prepare industry reports for the EPA and to meet their NPI reporting
requirements through the collation, scientific interpretation and assessment of air,
water and land pollutant emissions.
Updated September 2007
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2.
Reporting/Working Relationships (To whom the position reports, staff for whom
the person is responsible, and other significant connections and working
relationships within the organisation).
The Environmental Scientist / Engineer is accountable to the Principal Advisor,
Performance Reporting. The incumbent works with staff from the air and water
quality units, Licensing Officers, Licence Coordinators and other across branch
personnel in key areas.
The Environmental Scientist / Engineer will work within a small team of other
professional officers within the Regulatory Reform and Performance Branch on NPI
and environmental performance measurement projects. The incumbent may on
occasion be responsible for leading the team, or working under the operational
direction of a designated team leader.
3.
Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements,
frequent overtime, etc).


The EPA is a smoke free work place.
The EPA is committed to reducing its energy usage and contributing to the SA
Government’s greenhouse gas emission targets.
The occupant may, on occasion, be required to travel both intrastate and
interstate and may also be required to work out of hours as the need arises.

4.

Statement of Key Outcomes/Activities
(Group into major
responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance).
areas
of
Providing an accurate, timely and relevant information service to the EPA,
licensees and the public on the National Environment Protection Measure for
National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) by: Undertaking a significant role in assisting reporters to calculate the pollution
emissions from diffuse and point sources for the National Pollutant Inventory
(NPI) including the collation of data;
 Researching, interpreting, manipulating and presenting data in relation to
matters pertaining to emissions and discharges to industry representatives and
relevant community interest groups;
 Providing advice, data, information and reports to the EPA, industry and
community on the interpretation of environmental data and associated National
Pollutant Inventory (NPI) emission estimates;
 Using scientific and statistical skills present key conclusions, from monitoring
and calculated emission data, to be used as a basis for actions to improve the
environment, consistent with EPA objectives, or for new policies or objectives;
 Undertaking a role in the assessment and validations of reports of industry
discharges and emissions as part of the NPI Program;
 Coordinating the preparation, production and issuing of relevant brochures,
newsletters and updates;
Updated September 2007
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
Increase the opportunities for utilisation of the National Pollutant Inventory
(NPI) within the EPA by: Coordinating the promotion of the NPI program to key stakeholders;
 Implement and maintain quality control and assurance protocols to ensure
confidence in the NPI data;
 Coordinate with Australian Government representatives, and other key staff
within the EPA, reviews and amendments to the National Environment
Protection Measure;

Assist in maintaining the Department’s records by complying with relevant
legislation, government and departmental records management policies, and
current administrative practices.

May assist or deliver other regulatory reform projects within the Regulatory
Reform and Performance Branch (outside of the scope of the NPI program),
including providing advice, support or contributing within a project team.
Assist in the effective use of resources by complying with Government and EPA
systems, policies and procedures.
Contribute to the application of good human resource management practices by:
 Complying with Government and EPA human resource management policies
and procedures and Code of Conduct;
 Complying with the requirements for employees as specified in the EPA
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare, and Injury Management Roles and
Responsibilities Policy; and
 Actively participating in the EPA’s Performance and Development Review
program.
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Acknowledged by Occupant: ……………………………………………….
Updated September 2007
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Those characteristics considered necessary
to fulfill the position)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
(Includes only those listed in PSM Act
Direction 5 as an essential qualification for the specified career streams)

A degree in Science, Environmental Science or chemical/environmental
engineering, environmental health or related discipline.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills (Related to the job description and expressed in a
way which allows objective assessment)

Ability to work under professional direction but with limited supervision

Ability to work as an effective team member with well developed inter personal
skills and on occasion work as a Team Leader.

Ability to understand complex scientific arguments, to conduct assessments and
investigations in an accurate, efficient and effective manner.

Ability to write clearly and effectively, summarise key issues succinctly and
communicate verbally in an effective manner.

Demonstrated ability to deal with conflict situations, exercise initiative and
judgement, resolve problems and organise priorities.

Capacity to clearly express goals and strategic priorities in a manner that is
easily understood by a wide array of people.

Capacity to effectively plan programs and activities relevant to air and water
quality.
Demonstrated initiative and drive.


Ability to effectively use work-related resources and information in accordance
with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines.
Experience (including community experience)
Experience in: 
Assessment and management of scientific water and air quality data;

The design and implementation of sampling and monitoring programs particularly
in recognising and understanding monitoring and sampling limitations;

Interpretation of scientific analysis and methods;

Application of statistics relating to the analysis of trends in environmental data
and use of statistical techniques and related software to assess data;

The formulation and presentation of detailed and comprehensive written and
verbal assessment reports.
Knowledge

Knowledge of quality assurance techniques and quality management.
Updated September 2007
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DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (To distinguish between applicants who have met
all essential requirements)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (Considered to be useful in carrying out the
responsibilities of the position)

Degree, majoring in chemistry or chemistry/biology.


Higher degree in Science or Environmental Science or Health Science.
Qualifications or courses in statistical analysis.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills

Nil.
Experience

Nil.
Knowledge

Knowledge of quality control, laboratory techniques and pollution control
techniques associated with environmental monitoring, pollution assessment, and
management practices.

Knowledge of industrial processes and related cleaner production pollution
prevention and control principles and techniques

Knowledge and understanding of project management techniques

Basic knowledge of GIS systems.

Basic knowledge of public sector requirements for ethical conduct, Occupational
Health, Safety and Welfare, Diversity in the Workplace, Equal Employment
Opportunity and Performance Management.
Updated September 2007
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