Environment Protection Authority
Science and Sustainability Division
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Title of Position:
Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination
Remuneration Level: PO3
Position Number: EA0381
Career Group:
Position Created: June 2006
Date Position Last Updated: November 2009
Type of Appointment:
Ongoing
Temporary Contract
End Date:
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
……………………………….
…./…./….
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 Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination is a member of the Site
Contamination Branch. The Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination is
responsible for the provision and interpretation of high quality professional advice,
investigations and assignments and associated administrative support on issues
relating to site contamination (or pollution) of groundwater and associated
statutory requirements under the Environment Protection Act 1993.
Updated November 2009
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The Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination is responsible for the provision of
higher level advice of actual and potential groundwater contamination and for
determining the need for further assessment, remediation, management and
monitoring.
The Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination is responsible for investigating the
source of groundwater contamination and for the provision of higher level advice,
for example on remediation measures through licence conditions, directions to a
site owner or through other statutory measures.
The Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination contributes to the development and
implementation of legislation, policies, guidelines and strategies related to
groundwater contamination.
Liaison with other Government Departments and the broader community is also
required.
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 Senior Hydrogeologist Site Contamination reports to the Manager Site
Contamination. The occupant will be required to undertake projects individually,
or work as a leader or member of multi-disciplinary project teams. The Senior
Hydrogeologist Site Contamination may be required to manage staff.
3. Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements,
frequent overtime, etc).
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The occupant will occasionally be required to work outside of normal working
hours and undertake some intrastate/interstate travel, requiring overnight
absences.
A current driver’s licence is essential
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.
4. Statement of Key Outcomes/Activities
(Group into major
responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance).

areas
of
Contribute to the attainment of EPA objectives, particularly in relation to the
protection, restoration and enhancement of the environment with regard to
groundwater contamination by:
 Undertaking as a team leader or individually, as necessary, various complex
projects, investigations and assignments related to the assessment,
remediation and management of groundwater contamination in South
Australia;
 Reviewing, assessing and interpreting environmental site assessment
reports, contaminant fate and transport modelling reports, remediation
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proposals, remediation reports and management plans relating to
groundwater contamination;
Contributing to the development of appropriate strategies and objectives
for the prevention, assessment and remediation of groundwater
contamination, consistent with the Objects of the Act;
Reviewing site contamination audit reports issued by Site Contamination
Auditors;
Providing higher level advice on issues relating to contaminated
groundwater;
Providing advice on when restrictions or prohibition of the taking of
groundwater should occur;
Contributing to the development of policies and directions that enhance the
protection of groundwater;
Contributing to the development, implementation and review of EPA
policies and guidelines for the assessment, remediation and management of
groundwater;
Providing advice and information of a high technical standard to the
Authority, other members of the EPA, planning authorities, land
owners/occupiers and developers and the community in relation to
groundwater contamination;
Consulting and liaising with other Environment Protection Authorities (or
equivalent bodies) in other states and elsewhere, as required;
Contributing to the administration of recording systems and procedures in
relation to information on site contamination on the Public Register and
Section 7 of the Land and Business (Sale & Conveyancing) Act and other
means;
Assessing mining and development applications, planning amendment
reports, environmental impact statements and environment improvement
plans with respect to groundwater contamination issues;
Assessing and implementing improved methods, procedures and technologies
for the assessment, remediation and management of groundwater
contamination; and
Improving data collection, record keeping and data storage methodologies;
and
Representing the EPA at relevant seminars and conferences.
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Contribute to the enforcement of the Environment Protection Act 1993 as an
Authorised Officer by contributing to environmental licenses, inspecting
environmentally significant activities and, where necessary, taking evidence,
recommending the serving of administrative orders, or recommending
prosecutions and making court appearances;
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Assist in the effective use of resources by complying with Government and EPA
systems, policies and procedures.
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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;
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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.
Acknowledged by Occupant: ……………………………………………….
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
fulfill the position)
(Those characteristics considered necessary to
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (Includes only those listed in PSM Act Direction 5
as an essential qualification for the specified career streams)

Relevant degree in hydrogeology (or related discipline) and sufficient relevant
professional experience for entry to full membership of a relevant professional
body.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills (Related to the job description and expressed in a
way which allows objective assessment)

Well developed oral and written communication skills, including the ability to
provide technical information/reports to multi-disciplinary groups from a wide
range of private and public agencies;
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Proven ability to consult, liaise and negotiate and to develop and maintain
effective working relationships with a diverse range of people at all levels;
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Well developed ability to effectively review, judge and provide
recommendations on current and future activities involved in the management
of groundwater quality;
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Ability to assimilate and to further develop and promote new practices and
procedures in relevant professional and technical fields;
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Ability to communicate groundwater contamination and related technical
issues to non-groundwater specialists.
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Ability to effectively use work-related resources and information in accordance
with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines
Experience (including community experience)
Proven experience in undertaking the assessment, remediation and risk
management of groundwater contamination by satisfying the following:
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Proven experience and very good working knowledge of at least three of the
following core areas:
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The design, methodology, and undertaking of groundwater sampling,
assessment and interpretation of results;
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The
design,
implementation
control/assessment procedures;
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The assessment and interpretation of chemical analytical data;
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The assessment and interpretation of analytical, physical and modelled
groundwater data;
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The assessment of contaminant exposure pathways and risk;
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The modelling of groundwater, including contaminant fate and
transport;
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Project management;
and
assessment
of
quality
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Development of site conceptual hydrogeological models;
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Health or ecological based risk assessment; and
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Current remediation methods and technologies and knowledge of new
and evolving remediation technologies.
Knowledge
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Proven understanding of the principles of hydrogeology, drilling, well
construction and well testing techniques;
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Understanding of environmental risk assessment
contamination and groundwater interaction;
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Knowledge of computer modelling techniques;
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Demonstrated knowledge of environmental management practices and
remediation technologies as they relate to groundwater;
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Demonstrated knowledge of project management techniques
as
related
to
soil
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DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
essential requirements)
(To distinguish between applicants who have met all
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
responsibilities of the position)
(Considered to be useful in carrying out the
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Postgraduate studies in a related discipline and/or proven experience,
particularly in regard to the assessment, remediation and management of
contaminated groundwater.
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Post-graduate education in groundwater protection, environmental, science or
discipline related to site contamination, ecology, hydrogeology or toxicology.
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Occupational Health and Safety Training in relation to site contamination.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills
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Demonstrated skills in the management of many tasks, priorities and
management of people.
Experience
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Proven experience in undertaking contaminant fate and transport modelling to predict
the impacts of contaminant migration
Knowledge
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Knowledge of State legislation for the protection of ground and surface water
resources – including the site contamination provisions;
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Basic knowledge and understanding of National and State water quality
management strategies applying to groundwater protection; and
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An understanding of human health risk assessment.
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Understanding of issues and/or experience with sites involved in site
contamination auditing by an Site Contamination Auditor.
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Understanding of vapour risks associated with volatile substances in
groundwater;
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Basic understanding of the operations of the Environment Protection Authority.
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Basic knowledge of public sector requirements for ethical conduct,
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare, Diversity in the Workplace, Equal
Employment Opportunity and Performance Management.
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