Position Number: P01028

Directorate: E&PS

Service: NatEnviron

Location: Katoomba HQ

Date Created/Updated March 2025

Position Classification: Band: 9

POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

The Environmental Planner position has a key role in assisting in the delivery of BMCC’s
Environmental Impact Assessment processes and ensuring the integration of corporate
and environmental strategies and objectives into the design and delivery of Council
projects and programs. The role also builds collaborative partnerships across council to
implement and design key environmental strategies such as BMCC’s Water Sensitive
Blue Mountains Strategic Plan and Biodiversity Conservation Strategy to support a
sustainable and environmentally sensitive “City within a World Heritage Area, with a key
focus on promotion water and biodiversity sensitive urban design.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Principal Environmental Scientist

Staff Responsibility: Nil

Key Internal Relationships: Senior Environmental Planner
Project Managers
Key technical and scientific staff in the organization
Aquatic and Terrestrial Environmental Scientists
Council’s Integrated Water Management Group

Key External Relationships: Government authorities and agencies, external
consultants

PROGRESSION

Progression through the salary system is based on assessment against predetermined
competencies, the achievement of performance objectives and the demonstrated
acquisition of additional skills and knowledge.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of this position include:

• Assisting the Senior Environmental Planner in the delivery of Council’s Environmental

• Facilitate involvement and provision of advice from subject matter experts as required

• Conduct targeted Part 5 Approval site visits pre, during and post activity completion,

• Identify and address knowledge and skill gaps in Council’s workforce through delivery

• Develop strategic frameworks, plans and targeted training to support, and build

• Lobbying, networking, influencing, guiding and partnering with relevant stakeholders

• Develop and manage projects and contracts relating to the position’s functions.

• Provide exceptional customer service, including responding quickly to customer

• Identify policy and / or procedures and/or training needs and actively participate in the

• Provide support to other teams in the Environment Branch as required.

• Build relationships with team members showing consideration and respect.

• Maintain relationships and workflow between the Teams and other parts of Council to

• Guide others by sharing experiences and discussing how to handle current or

• Apply principles of Occupational Health and Safety and EEO and Anti Discrimination

Workplace Health & Safety

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and

in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety
aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations. You have the right to cease or direct
cessation of unsafe work. In addition, you are required at all times to comply with Councils
Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.

Compliance & Risk

You are responsible for ensuring that you conduct your risk management responsibilities
as described in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the
ERM Framework) with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and reported
in a timely manner.

In undertaking your work should you identify contaminated land or potentially
contaminated land, including but not limited to Asbestos contamination you are required
to notify your supervisor immediately.

COMMUNICATION

The person will communicate with a wide range of people in a variety of internal and
external settings. The person will receive, interpret, and act upon written and verbal
information, and provide responses in both written and verbal forms. The person will lead
discussion, carry out negotiations and make presentations in areas of functional
responsibility. The role will require persons to represent and clearly articulate Council’s
position in negotiations and discussions with internal as well as external parties and
organisations.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

This position has a high level of independence in using judgement and resolving problems
with minimal guidance. Problems can be multi-faceted requiring detailed analysis of a
range of available options to solve issues where solutions are not clear cut. This will
require the person to have a thorough knowledge of how to assess and mitigate project
delivery impacts through the Environmental Impact Assessment process as well as
possessing an extensive knowledge of relevant legislation and Council policies.

AUTHORITY

Delegation to act as an authorised officer to undertake a wide range of tasks and duties
on behalf of Council in accordance with relevant legislation applicable to the functional
areas of responsibility for the position. The person will also undertake a professional
advisory role to people within or outside of Council. Decisions and advice may commit
the council and have a significant impact upon external parties dealing with council.

SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

• Degree in relevant environmental, engineering and/or environmental planning field or

• Knowledge and experience in the application of legislation, statutes and codes and

• Demonstrated ability to analyse problems and proactively resolve issues that involve

• Ability to interrogate mapping data (using GIS) and electronic records systems.

• Experience in the design and/or implementation of environmental projects, strategies,

• Knowledge and/or experience in implementing water sensitive principles and practices

• Demonstrated experience in communicating environmental/scientific issues clearly

• A current drivers licence
  

DESIRABLE

• Detailed knowledge of the Blue Mountains area – its physical and biological

• A proven record of success in behaviour change/organisational culture change

• Proven experience in the design and/or construction of WSUD elements and