Environment Protection Authority
Science and Assessment Division
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Title of Position:
Senior Adviser Site Contamination
Remuneration Level:
PO3
Career Group:
Position Number:
EA0308
Position Created:
Discipline:
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
………………………………
…./…./….
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 Adviser Site Contamination is a member of the Site Contamination Branch.
The Senior Adviser 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 and associated statutory
requirements under the Environment Protection Act 1993.
The Senior Adviser, Site Contamination is responsible for the performance of
projects and works collaboratively with other members of the Site Contamination
Branch and with the broader Environment Protection Authority. Liaison with other
Government Departments and the broader community is also required.
Revised AW Pruszinski 19 April 2012
The Senior Adviser models the EPA values of being a firm and fair regulator who is
transparent and makes risk-based decisions.
The Principal Adviser Site Contamination works closely and effectively with the community,
environmental consultants, site contamination auditors, property owners, government
departments and councils.
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 Adviser Site Contamination is accountable to the Manager Site Contamination.
The Senior Adviser may be required to undertake projects individually, or as a member of or
leader of a multi disciplinary project team.
The Senior Adviser may be required to manage staff within the Site Contamination Branch.
The Senior Adviser is a mentor to other staff within the Site Contamination Branch.
3.
Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent
overtime, etc).
The Senior Adviser will be required, on occasions, to work outside of normal working hours
and undertake some intrastate/interstate travel requiring overnight absences.
The maintenance of a current (South Australian) driver’s licence is essential.
The EPA is a smoke free workplace.
The EPA supports and actively encourages flexible working arrangements to enable its
people to effectively balance work and life. Such arrangements may be negotiated with the
Manager Site Contamination.
The Senior Adviser must be eligible to work in Australia.
The work location is Adelaide, CBD.
4.
Statement of Key Outcomes/Activities (Group into major areas of responsibility/activity
and list in descending order of importance).

Contribute to the attainment of Environment Protection Authority objectives, particularly
in relation to the protection, restoration and enhancement of the environment with
regard to site contamination by:

undertaking as a team member or individually, as necessary, various projects,
investigations and assignments related to the assessment, remediation and
management of site contamination in South Australia;

reviewing, assessing and interpreting environmental site assessment and
remediation reports and environmental management plans relating to site
contamination and site contamination audit reports;

contributing to the development and administration of the site contamination audit
system in South Australia;

providing higher level specialist advice on issues relating to the assessment,
remediation and management of contaminated groundwater and/or other specialised
areas associated with site contamination;
Revised AW Pruszinski 19 April 2012

ensuring that information provided to the Authority, industry, local, state and federal
governments and the community in relation to site contamination and environmental
toxicology is accurate, timely and of a high standard;

assist in implementing the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site
Contamination) Measure, EPA policies and guidelines for the assessment,
remediation and management of site contamination;

developing, reviewing and improving technical guidelines, policy documents and
other publications;

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 site 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 development applications, planning amendment reports, environmental
impacts statements and environment improvement plans with respect to site
contamination issues;

assisting in coordinating responses by government agencies to expedite Ministerial
approval of land for purchase or sale by the Government;

assisting in the development of policy on site contamination issues and the
development of strategies for implementation and administration;

assessing and implementing improved methods, procedures and technologies for the
assessment, remediation and management of site contamination;

improving data collection, record keeping and data storage methodologies; and

representing the EPA at site contamination related seminars and conferences.

Contribute to the enforcement of the Environment Protection Act 1993 as an Authorised
Officer by coordinating environmental licenses, inspecting environmentally significant
activities and, where necessary, taking evidence, recommending the serving of
Environment Protection Orders, or recommending prosecutions and making court
appearances;

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.
Acknowledged by Occupant: ……………………………………………….
Revised AW Pruszinski 19 April 2012
…./…./2012
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Those characteristics considered necessary to
fulfil the position)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (Includes only those listed in PS Act Direction 5 as an
essential qualification for the specified career streams)

Bachelor degree in science, engineering or other recognised qualification that is related
to site contamination.
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.

Proven ability to work effectively with limited direction as a team member and, on
occasion, as team leader.

Proven ability to effectively manage across a number of competing priorities and to use
initiative to achieve work programs within prescribed deadlines.

Proven ability to consult, liaise, negotiate and to develop and maintain cooperative
working relationships with a diverse range of people at all levels.
Experience (including community experience)

Proven experience in undertaking the assessment, remediation and management of site
contamination;

Proven experience and high level expertise in at least one or more of the following
areas, or proven experience and very good working knowledge of at least three or more
of the following areas:


project management, design, methodology, and undertaking, of soil and
groundwater sampling, assessment and the interpretation of this work;

the design, implementation and assessment of quality control/assessment
procedures;

the assessment and interpretation of chemical analytical data;

contaminant fate and transport, assessment of exposure pathways;

development of site conceptual models;

health or ecological risk assessment; and

current remediation methods and technologies and knowledge of new and evolving
remediation technologies.
Experience in risk communication in relation to site contamination
Revised AW Pruszinski 19 April 2012
Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of South Australian legislation as it relates to site
contamination;

Knowledge of EPA guidance in relation to site contamination

Knowledge of project management techniques.
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)

Postgraduate studies in a related discipline and/or extensive proven experience,
particularly in regard to the assessment, remediation and management of contaminated
groundwater or other specialised areas associated with site contamination.

Postgraduate education in engineering, environmental, science or discipline related to
site contamination, ecology, hydrogeology or toxicology.

Occupational health and safety training in relation to site contamination issues.
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills

Understanding of the operations of the Environment Protection Authority.
Knowledge

Knowledge of emerging issues relating to the assessment and management of site
contamination;

Basic knowledge of public sector requirements for ethical conduct, Occupational Health,
Safety and Welfare, Diversity in the Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity and
Performance Management.
Revised AW Pruszinski 19 April 2012