Environment Protection Authority
Science and Sustainability Division
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Title of Position:
Senior Adviser, Site Contamination
Remuneration Level:
PO-3 Position Number:
Career Group:
EA0306
Position Created:
Date Position Last Updated: March 2011
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 Adviser, Site Contamination is a member of the Site Contamination
Branch under the leadership of the Manager, Site Contamination. 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
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Protection Authority. 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 Adviser, Site Contamination operates with limited supervision, and
reports to the Manager, Site Contamination. The occupant may be required to
undertake projects individually, or as a leader or member of a multi disciplinary
project team. The Senior Adviser may be required to manage subordinate staff.
3.
Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements,
frequent overtime, etc).

The occupant may be required to work outside of normal working hours and
undertake some intrastate/interstate travel requiring overnight absences. The
maintenance of 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 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 audit reports issued by Environmental Auditors
(Contaminated Land);

Contributing to the development and administration of the Environmental
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;

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 1999, EPA policies and guidelines for the
assessment, remediation and management of site contamination;
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
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 liaison 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;

Assist 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

Represent 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: ……………………………………………….
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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)

Professional Engineer or degree in Environmental Science or related discipline.
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.
Ability to effectively review, judge and provide recommendations on current and
future activities involved in the management of site contamination.
Ability to assimilate and to further develop and promote new practices and
procedures in relevant professional and technical fields.
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 management
of sites in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of
Site Contamination) Measure 1999;

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 interpretation;
 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 hydrogeolgical models;
 Health or ecological based 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.
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Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of management principals and effectively dealing
with customers.

Knowledge of environmental management practices and treatment technologies.

Knowledge of project management techniques.

Knowledge of State and National guidelines for soil and waters.
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.
Experience

Nil.
Knowledge

Knowledge of current issues relating to the assessment and management of site
contamination;

Understanding of issues and/or experience with sites involved in environmental
auditing by an Environmental Auditor (Contaminated Land).

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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