Environment Protection Authority
Science and Sustainability Division
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Title of Position:
Principal Hydrogeologist, Site Contamination
Remuneration Level: PO4
Position Number: EA0381
Career Group:
Position Created: June 2006
Date Position Last Updated: January 2007
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
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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 Principal Hydrogeologist, Site Contamination is accountable to the Manager
Site Contamination for the interpretation and provision of high quality professional
advice, investigations and assignments on issues relating to underground water
contamination (or pollution) and the associated statutory requirements under the
Environment Protection Act, 1993.
Updated January 2007
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The Principal Hydrogeologist, Site Contamination is responsible for the provision of
risk assessments of groundwater contamination and for determining the need for
further assessment and/or remediation. The Principal Hydrogeologist, Site
Contamination is responsible for investigating significant groundwater
contamination sources and for the provision of specialist opinion on remediation
measures through licence conditions, directions to a site owner or through other
statutory measures.
The Principal Hydrogeologist, Site Contamination will be responsible for the
development and implementation of legislation, policies, guidelines and strategies
related to underground water 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 Principal 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 a multi-disciplinary project team. The Principal
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
(including risk assessment), remediation and management of underground
water contamination in South Australia;
 Reviewing, assessing and interpreting environmental site assessment
reports, modelling reports, remediation proposals, remediation reports and
management plans relating to groundwater contamination;
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Determining appropriate strategies and objectives for the remediation of
groundwater contamination, consistent with the Objects of the Act;
Undertaking contaminant fate and transport modelling to predict the
impacts of contaminant migration;
Reviewing site audit reports issued by Environmental Auditors
(Contaminated Land) in relation to groundwater contamination;
Providing high level specialist advice on complex issues relating to
contaminated groundwater, including advice on when restrictions or
prohibition of the taking of groundwater should occur;
Ensuring that information provided to the Authority, industry, local, state
and federal governments and the community in relation to groundwater
contamination is accurate, timely and of a high standard;
Developing policies and directions to enhance the use and protection of
groundwater by developing goals, standards and guidelines for groundwater
that are consistent with national direction;
Assisting or managing in 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. This may include presentation at community
meetings;
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 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;
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;
 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)
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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)
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Highly 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 higher level 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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Proven ability to effectively review, judge and provide recommendations on
complex current and future activities involved in the management of
groundwater contamination;
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Proven ability to assimilate and to further develop and promote new practices
and procedures in relevant professional and technical fields;
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Proven 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 and extensive experience in undertaking the assessment, remediation and
risk management of groundwater contamination by satisfying the following:
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Proven extensive experience and high level expertise in the following core
areas:
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Project management, design, methodology, and
groundwater sampling, assessment and interpretation;
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The assessment and interpretation of analytical, physical and modelled
data;
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The assessment of contaminant exposure pathways and risk;
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The modelling of contaminant fate and transport.
undertaking,
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Proven extensive experience in two or more of the following areas or high level
expertise in four or more of the following areas:
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The assessment of groundwater impacts
contamination and/or waste disposal activities;
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Computer modelling of the fate and behaviour of chemicals in the
environment;
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The design, implementation and monitoring of remediation strategies
for groundwater;
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Soil science;
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State/national level policy setting, particularly for the protection of
groundwater;
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Human toxicology;
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Environmental toxicology and ecological risk assessment;
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Current remediation methods and technologies for groundwater and
knowledge of new and evolving remediation technologies;
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Risk communication; and
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Presentation of groundwater issues in a public setting.
resulting
from
site
Knowledge
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Proven understanding of the principles of hydrogeology, drilling and well
testing techniques;
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Proven understanding of environmental risk assessment as related to ground
and surface water resources and their interaction;
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Proven understanding of environmental risk assessment as related to soil
contamination and groundwater interaction;
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Proven knowledge of computer modelling techniques;
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Proven high level knowledge of environmental management practices and
remediation technologies as they relate to groundwater;
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Proven knowledge of project management techniques
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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 extensive 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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Nil
Knowledge
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Proven knowledge of State legislation for the protection of ground and surface
water resources;
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Proven 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 environmental
auditing by an Environmental Auditor (Contaminated Land).
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Understanding of vapour risks associated with volatile substances in
groundwater;
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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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