Stepping Into Internship Program - Position DescriptionThe Australian Network on Disability’s Stepping Into program is a paid internship scheme that matches talented university students with disability with roles in leading Australian businesses.

Position Title

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - Environmental Impact Assessment Officer (Southern NSW and ACT Assessments)

Location

Canberra

Position Duration

6 weeks: full-time preferred, 4 days per week can be considered.

Position Overview

The Environment Approvals Division supports sustainable development outcomes by delivering efficient and effective regulation of projects potentially impacting matters of national environmental significance.

The successful intern will join a passionate team who have a range of backgrounds and experiences. The team works collaboratively and endeavours to make the Department a great place to work, develop and grow.

You will be supported as a member of our team and we will work with you on developing skills that will assist you in both your studies and career. In return, you will be expected to demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Context of Project/Tasks

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation. The EPBC Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places—defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance.

The EPBC Act comes into effect when a proposal has the potential to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance. A proposal may include projects such as: residential developments, agricultural developments, mining, and the construction of public or private infrastructure.

When a person (a 'proponent') wants an action (often called a 'proposal' or 'project') assessed for environmental impacts under the EPBC Act, they must refer the project to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. This 'referral' is then released to the public, as well as relevant state, territory and Commonwealth ministers, for comment on whether the project is likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.

Level 3, 80 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (02) 8270 9200 www.and.org.au

The Minister for the Environment or the minister’s delegate will then decide whether the likely environmental impacts of the project are such that it should be further assessed under the EPBC Act. Any relevant public comments are taken into consideration in making that decision.

You can find out more about this process at: https://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/environment-assessment-and-approvals.

Major Tasks

The Southern NSW and ACT Assessments Section undertakes environmental assessments of projects located in New South Wales which have been referred under the EPBC Act. One of the key roles of our team is to provide information, in the format of a brief, to the Minister for the Environment or the Minister’s delegate, on the likely impacts of a proposed action on matters of national environmental significance (MNES). When an action is referred to the Department for assessment, the Department will provide a recommendation to the Minister, or the delegate, who will then decide whether or not it will require further assessment and an approval under the EPBC Act.

To assist with environmental assessments, the intern will undertake research and analysis of referral project documentation, environmental issues, scientific information and government policy to prepare recommendations for decisions by the Minister (or delegate) including briefing material, statutory notices and correspondence.

As part of this work the intern will liaise with other areas across the Department and with external stakeholders. These include the Protected Species and Communities Branch, Heritage Branch and the Office of Water Science to request advice on the impacts of projects. The intern will also liaise and communicate with project proponents, environmental consultants and NSW government authorities to discuss project assessments.

Major Project for Placement

We are seeking an intern to assess a referral under the EPBC Act. A referral takes four weeks to complete. The placement would be for a total of six weeks. You will be supported and supervised throughout the undertaking of all stages of this project. Tasks the intern would undertake include:

The preparation of a project timeline to ensure the referral meets statutory timeframes.Review the proposal’s referral documentation to ensure sufficient information has been provided.

Write a referral decision brief, under supervision, to provide information and a recommendation to the Minister’s delegate.

In preparing the brief you will assess the potential and likely impacts of the proposal on matters of national environmental significance including: threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, wetlands of international importance, and national and world heritage sites.

Refer to, and construct a brief and recommendation that aligns with, the Department’s policies and guidelines.

Utilise the Department’s spatial analysis tool to assist with assessing the proposal’s potential and likely impacts on matters of national environmental significance.

Correspond with the person proposing the action.

Collate and summarise public and ministerial comments.

Correspond with other sections in the Department to receive expert advice.

Deliver a presentation to brief the delegate on the proposal and the Department’s recommendations.

Learn how to use the Department’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system – a Microsoft system type used by both the public and private sectors.

Learn how to use the Department’s records management system.

Other tasks may include:

Attending APS training programs, and training specific to the administration of the EPBC Act for environmental impact assessments. These opportunities will be dependent on training schedules.

Preparing handover notes for the NSW Government.

Preparing ministerial and parliamentary correspondence and briefing material on issues relating to EPBC Act referrals and assessments.

Providing administrative support to your colleagues, and through this you will:

Learn how to use the Department’s room booking system.

Gain an in-depth understanding of how to use Microsoft Outlook – a commonly used email and diary tool for Government.

Learn how to use Microsoft Teams – a commonly used tool for coordinating and participating in video calls and conferences.

Through this internship you will:

Update and maintain information and data systems to support technical functions.

Build your ability to check the accuracy of information, and create and maintain files and records.

Develop and maintain knowledge of procedures relevant to assessments, including maintain information databases.

Build your ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively, and establish and maintain productive working relationships to achieve individual, team and organisational objectives.

Using your research skills; develop the ability to draw on available information and experiences to assess proposals for their environmental impacts to support timely and accurate decisions.

Expand your oral and written communication skills, including developing your ability to translate technical or complex information for stakeholders and colleagues, including senior executives.

Establish an understanding of, legislation and government decision making processes, in a regulatory environment.

Desirable skills and attributes:

An interest in the environment and environmental management.

An interest in environmental law and public administration.

Experience using Microsoft products.

Ability to work collaboratively, and follow guidance to work autonomously.

Demonstrated research skills.

Demonstrated ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information.

A resourceful, proactive, and enthusiastic individual.

Ideal Degree/Discipline

Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Law, Arts, Sustainability, Development, and related fields

Eligibility Requirements

Second last or final year of a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree

Australian citizens only

Identify as having disability

Candidates may be required to undergo a background check security clearance

Apply Here

www.tfaforms.com/420924

Contact the AND Programs Team at applications@and.org.au or 1300 363 645 for further information.

Please be aware that all Stepping Into internships are paid placements. The employing organisation will pay the intern’s pro rata salary for the internship period (including superannuation) at a rate commensurate with the duties performed and abiding by Fair Work standards.