Principal Policy Officer

Do you want to protect future generations?

Protect tomorrow together at the NSW EPA

• Join a purpose-led organisation and make a difference to the environment and our community
• Work on issues that matter in a supportive, collaborative and creative environment
• Remuneration starting from $139,823 plus superannuation
• Benefits and flexibility recognising work isn’t all you are passionate about
• One ongoing role available
• Role based in Parramatta

The opportunity

An exciting opportunity awaits you as a Principal Policy Officer, where you can make valuable contributions to the development and delivery of policies, projects, and innovative solutions aimed at advancing environmental and human health outcomes for the residents of NSW.

About you

You will serve as a passionate advocate for the EPA, striving to achieve tangible outcomes.

We encourage individuals from various backgrounds, both with and without government experience, to apply. The ideal candidate for this role will possess demonstrated experience and capabilities in undertaking and leading the policy development process (preferably in a regulatory context but not essential), including:

• Research and analysis to identify policy problems and opportunities and to develop policy options to address the problems.
• Applying and interpreting economic frameworks (such as cost-benefit analysis, and program and policy evaluation) in policy development and analysis and in developing business cases.
• Identifying key stakeholders and designing fit-for-purpose stakeholder engagement to achieve the desired policy outcomes.
• Reviewing and evaluating existing policies to identify areas for refining and change.

About the team

This role sits within the EPA’s Circular Economy policy branch, which leads transformational and strategic projects to support NSW’s transition to a circular economy. A circular economy is where we minimise what we throw away, we use and reuse our resources as efficiently as possible, and we ensure our materials are managed safely to prevent them becoming a problem for future generations.

Key priorities for the branch include reviewing critical policy settings like the waste levy that drive resource recovery, planning the phase-out of single-use and unnecessary plastics, supporting product stewardship arrangements to better manage problem waste, and developing new policy proposals to drive more reuse and repair.

The Circular Economy Branch sit within the Strategy and Policy Division, which leads the EPA’s strategic and regulatory policy functions for all issues that fall within the EPA’s remit: air, water, noise, forests, contaminated land, waste, chemicals, dangerous goods, gas, pesticides and radiation.

The Strategy and Policy Division also includes the:

• Climate and Environment Protection policy branch
• Ecologically Sustainable Development policy branch
• Aboriginal Initiatives section
• Finance branch

For more information read the full Role Description – Principal Policy Officer

About us

As the environmental steward and regulator of our State we are committed to a sustainable future.

Our people are proud to play a role in protecting the environment of NSW. We partner with Aboriginal people, industry and the wider community to protect, restore and enhance our diverse ecosystems.

We bring scientific expertise, experience and actions to inspire innovative solutions as we transition our state to a circular economy.

As we respond to urgent current issues, including climate change, we educate and support our stakeholders to create an environmentally healthy future.

Join us on our mission to protect tomorrow together.

Why work for us?

EPA people are energised by our purpose and focused on the environment, and we invite all our team members to:

• Be part of protecting what matters – be purpose led making a meaningful impact to the environment, economy and communities delivering for a better NSW
• Do more and be inspired together – be members of passionate united teams who protect the environment and each other through care, trust and collaboration.
• Bring who you are and grow with us - we put people first creating a culture where everyone can be themselves, respecting and developing our diverse skills & aspirations and prioritising our safety and wellbeing.

Some additional benefits to working for us include:

• A competitive salary and leave entitlements, salary packaging to save tax, fitness passport and free & confidential counselling services
• Opportunities and pathways for learning and developing your skills with access to online and face to face training and mentoring
• Flexible work arrangements
• Opportunities to make an impact and help shape the future for our environment
• Interesting and challenging work aligning with personal values that allow you to reach your full potential
• Recognition programs

In our inclusive and accessible workplace, differences are embraced, contributions are valued, and everyone has a sense of connection and belonging. The EPA supports various employee affinity groups, practice flexible working, offer job share and workplace adjustments.

The EPA is an independent statutory authority which sits within the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

For more information on the work we do at NSW EPA, go to www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment

To apply

If your excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role. Please limit your cover letter to two A4 pages and your resume to four A4 pages.

Applications close: Sunday 16 March 2025 at 11:55pm

Should you require further information about the role please contact Jerome Koh at jerome.koh@epa.nsw.gov.au

Good to know

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

If you are deemed as a recommended candidate following your interview, we will be inviting you to complete various background checks as part of our recruitment process before a final decision is made on the outcome of your application.

Our background checks may include, but are not limited to Reference Checks, National Police Checks, Working with Children and Medical Checks. The background checks will vary depending on the requirements of the role you have applied for and the work and environments you will be working across.

Capability application tool

The capability application tool helps job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government. To access the tool please click here.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

Our Diversity team can assist to provide alternative formats to apply, make adjustments to the recruitment process, and offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks.

We encourage people with disability to apply. If you have disability and require more information on adjustments and assistance to apply, contact the Diversity team at Diversity@DPIE.nsw.gov.au  (please include reference number).

For more information on reasonable adjustments to recruitment processes, please click here.

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out Our Mob on Country to see the work we do and get assistance in applying.