Principal Biodiversity & Offsets Advisor

Principal Biodiversity & Offsets Advisor

About the opportunity

In this senior position, you will be responsible for delivering the Biodiversity Offset Delivery Strategy, positioning the company to meet one of the largest approved offset obligations across NSW and Qld, and achieving excellent conservation outcomes on Inland Rail’s offset portfolio. You’ll have carriage of the Strategy, setting the benchmark for biodiversity management and offset delivery on Australia’s largest railway infrastructure projects and acting as a subject matter expert for all biodiversity and offset matters across the Program.

A key focus of this role is portfolio management on the company’s offset properties, achieving the requirements of management plans and agreements and ensuring service providers deliver high-quality outcomes. You will also be responsible for preparing and reviewing scopes of work to support effective project delivery and maintain strong governance throughout the program lifecycle.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Provide guidance to the Program Biodiversity & Offset team, including planning and execution of all day-to-day activities in accordance with endorsed strategies, plans and procedures.
• Prepare and review detailed scopes of work for biodiversity assessments, land management activities, and offset establishment, ensuring clarity, technical accuracy, and alignment with legislative requirements across the offset portfolio.
• Manage contracts and service providers, including drafting, negotiating, and monitoring agreements to ensure performance standards, deliverables, and budget requirements are met.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the Strategy across the Inland Rail Program.
• Support and guide the Property & Land and Stakeholder Engagement teams on all property matters relating to biodiversity management including supporting internal approval processes, consultation, and agreement drafting.
• Support the Environment Manager – Biodiversity & Offsets with all cost, schedule and risk reporting and forecasting as required. Prepare briefs, papers, memoranda and other documentation to support biodiversity and offset related matters
• Support the Project Delivery Teams for construction readiness and ensuring best practice biodiversity management during construction.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct field work safely and in accordance with Inland Rail and ARTC procedures and guidelines and property manager’s requirements.
• Always operate in accordance with Inland Rail’s CARE Values.
• Ensure compliance with all Inland Rail policies, procedures, systems, and processes as set out in the Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Ensure compliance with Inland Rail’s Environmental Management System (EMS) to mitigate adverse environmental impacts, fulfil compliance obligations and enhance environmental performance.

About You

We understand that no candidate will meet every requirement listed. If you have a wealth of experience in biodiversity, ecology and an understanding of offsets and a willingness to learn, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t tick every box. The role can be tailored to your individual skill set.

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science or an environmentally related discipline.
• Working knowledge of the current State and Commonwealth Environmental Approval legislative processes, knowledge of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (Qld), Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) and associated regulations.
• 10 years plus experience in ecological assessment, ecological restoration or biodiversity management. Experience in offset delivery would be highly desirable.
• Proven ability in contractor management and scope development.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment with other staff and contractors.
• Well versed with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), GIS and customized software packages.
• High level of personal organisation, strong written communication skills and project management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously.

Desirable Selection Criteria

• Experience in spatial data management and ArcGIS Pro to facilitate recording, tracking, reporting and auditing.
• Post graduate qualifications in Environmental Science or an environmentally related discipline.
• Prior experience working on linear infrastructure projects, including primary and secondary approvals and construction.

 About Inland Rail

Inland Rail Pty Ltd is delivering a 1,600km freight line that is transforming how goods are moved around Australia. When fully operational, Inland Rail will connect Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. As one of the largest infrastructure projects in Australia, Inland Rail is helping to address the nation’s future freight needs and meet the demands of our growing population. Delivering Inland Rail will help shift more goods onto rail which means safer, less congested roads and fewer emissions and a more resilient and sustainable national freight network.

 What you’ll be joining

• You will join one of the largest infrastructure programs in Australia.
• This project will generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in local investment, boosting regional economies and communities right along the alignment.
• Inland Rail is proud to have over 40% female representation and we would like to see these numbers grow.
• Inland Rail is an Agile working environment in our State-of-the Art office embracing flexible working conditions.

Our Organisation and Culture

The values that drive us and the work we deliver in the program incorporate Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.  We welcome like-minded individuals who value our culture.

At Inland Rail, we celebrate, support, and thrive on attracting people from all horizons and walks of life for the benefit of our employees, our program, and our community. Inland Rail is proud to be an equal opportunity and an affirmative action employer. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to submit their details to us.

All employment is decided based on suitability to the role, cultural fit, merit, and business needs.

Apply Now

If this opportunity sounds like the challenge you have been looking for please apply online today.

As part of the application process, you will be required to undergo pre-employment criminal history, reference and medical checks, including drug and alcohol testing. Inland Rail is a drug and alcohol-free working environment.

Please note that applications are reviewed from point of advertising so don’t delay your application.