The opportunity we have available
The Airports Environment Branch is responsible for regulating environmental management atfederally leased airports and delivering the government’s $130.5m Per- and Poly-fluoroalkylSubstances (PFAS) Airports Investigation Program (the Program) through its PFAS Taskforce.
The Environmental Regulations Section regulates environmental management at 20 federallyleased airports and members of our team are located all around Australia. Airport EnvironmentOfficers (AEOs) are authorised officers who exercise regulatory functions under the Airports Act 1996, the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 2026 (the Regulations), and the Airports(Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 (the 1997 Regulations), monitor the implementation ofAirport Environment Strategies, and liaise with Airport Lessee Companies and their tenants onenvironmental issues, working closely with Airport Building Controllers. The AEOs are supported tocarry out their regulatory functions by EL1 Hub Managers (Vic/Tas, WA/SA, QLD/NT and NSW/ACT)and a Network Coordination support team that provides corporate and legal policy support. Inaddition, the AEO Network is supported by the Environment Regulatory Support team, whichprovides Compliance and Governance support.
The Environmental Regulations Section is an inclusive, dedicated, forward-thinking team that hasseveral vacancies available for AEOs at the APS6 level. AEOs work as a nationwide network ofenvironmental scientists and engineers, supporting each other to delivery regulatory outcomes thatare evidence-based, robust, defensible and consistent. Team members are energetic andautonomous with an agile mindset that values effective communications with internal and externalstakeholders.
What will you do?
AEOs are the first point of contact for environmental regulation at federally leased airports on behalfof the Commonwealth, and are instrumental in ensuring the effective monitoring, reduction andprevention of pollution at airport sites. They oversee the day-to-day management of environmentalissues at airports to ensure the airports’ operations and developments accord with applicableenvironmental laws and standards. AEOs are authorised officers and supported to make decisionsregarding compliance with regulations and standards, undertake environmental investigations andreporting, and take enforcement action when there is a legislative breach.
The role is varied and dynamic, but key duties of the positions include:

• liaising with the Airport Lessee Company on environmental issues;

• assessing potential environmental impacts of airport development proposals;

• conducting site inspections and investigations;

• preparing for and actively participating in a diverse range of meetings and engagements withairport stakeholders, whether tenants, airport-lessee companies or neighbours.

• preparing briefing about environmental issues at airports that you regulate to informdepartmental policy making, reporting and stakeholder engagement;

• reporting and making recommendations and decisions on environmental regulations;

• monitoring environmental compliance under the relevant legislation; and

• PPE will be provided for use while onsite however the AEO is responsible for wearing it andbehaving in accordance with site-specific airport and tenant OHS plans.

Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against theAPS6
Work level standards
.
As an APS6 AEO, you will have a demonstrated ability to:

• under general direction, deliver high quality regulatory outcomes on environmental matters atspecified federally leased airports, including undertaking investigations and analysis to providetimely and detailed written and oral advice on regulatory issues;

• interpret and apply legislation to inform quality and timely decision making on complex issues;

• contribute to strong levels of regulatory compliance enforcement and reporting while engagingconsistently and appropriately with risk;

• apply critical and strategic thinking to understanding the Airports Act 1996 and relevantregulations, national environmental standards, new and existing guidelines and procedures,reports, data, and stakeholder correspondence to inform ongoing policy development anddecision making;

• foster and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the sector and be a reliableand consistent point of contact on airport environment matters in the airport community;

• undertake regular airport site visits and inspections and be willing to undertake domestic travelmonthly if required;

• monitor, analyse and distil environmentally technical operations, reports and correspondence.

• previous experience in a frontline regulatory role and an ability to develop and impart regulatoryexpertise and subject-matter knowledge quickly will be highly valued; and

• depending on where the applicant is located and the position available, the job may involveregular monthly domestic travel.

• ANZSOG Professional Regulator training and/or a Certificate IV course in GovernmentInvestigations, or must be willing to undertake either course.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff culturalcapability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness todevelop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement acrossall roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.
As an APS6 you will be expected to:

• Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.

• Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trustedrelationships.

• Communicate respectfully and seek appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and theArts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability.Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a furtherstage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimumrequirements for the vacancy.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You musttick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will notautomatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevantstages of
the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
The minimum requirements for this role include:

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science or a similar environmental discipline.

• Be fit for work on construction and industrial sites, and willing to undertake any required healthchecks.

• Required to obtain and hold an Australian Security Identification Card (to access secure airportsites) and a White Card (to work on industrial sites).

• An awareness of, and familiarity with, relevant environmental management practices in relationto air, water and soil pollution and excessive noise, including sound knowledge of environmentalmanagement matters, standards and guidelines, including sediment control, stockpiling,vegetation management, dust management, noise and contamination.

• APS6 Airport Environment Officer.pdf