Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Lead listing and associated policy work that supports the protection of threatened species and ecological communities across NSW.
• Permanent full-time opportunity, 35 hours per week
• Coffs Harbour office location, or across NSW upon negotiation, hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $157,257.00 to $172,589.00 pa + super

Our Nature and Natural Capital Strategy team is currently seeking to appoint a Senior Team Leader - Threatened Species Policy & Listing to lead a highly specialised team at the forefront of biodiversity conservation in NSW. This is a unique opportunity to co-lead the work that maintains NSW lists of threatened species, threatened ecological communities and key threatening processes, and provides strategic policy advice on threatened species listing.

In this leadership role, you will lead the department’s governance, logistical and policy support for the independent NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee. You will guide staff, manage priorities and resources, and work across government to deliver accurate, timely and legally sound listing outcomes.

Your work will help ensure that threatened species listing processes are consistent with government policy and legislative requirements and that decisions are informed by the best available science and contemporary evidence. Working across government, industry and scientific networks, you will lead the implementation of nationally significant listing initiatives, manage complex stakeholder relationships and lead related policy work to support biodiversity conservation outcomes across NSW.

Joining a collaborative and high-performing team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside policy professionals, scientists and senior decision-makers who are passionate about protecting nature and delivering positive environmental outcomes. The team values evidence-based decision making, intellectual curiosity and constructive collaboration, providing an environment where strategic thinking and leadership are recognised and supported.

About You
You are a confident and collaborative leader with experience providing high-level governance, policy and operational support to complex decision-making bodies. You bring a strong understanding of legislative frameworks, policy development and stakeholder engagement, coupled with the ability to navigate competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes. Experience in leading a high performing team to provide secretariat, logistical and policy support to an independent committee or other decision-making body will be highly regarded.

You are an experienced people leader who inspires high performance and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Your ability to communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences and build trusted stakeholder relationships will be critical to your success. Equally important is your capacity to think strategically, solve complex problems, manage competing priorities and guide a team to deliver outcomes that support evidence-based environmental policy and conservation objectives.

Essential Requirements

• Experience providing policy advice on complex issues within government.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage the people and financial resources of a team to consistently deliver against agreed performance.

For more information read the full Role Description: Senior Team Leader - Threatened Species Policy & Listing

Who we are
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

To Apply
If 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.

Separate to your resume and cover letter, please answer the following two targeted questions.

Your responses should be no more than 300 words per question.

1. Describe a time when you led or improved a secretariat or governance support function for an independent committee, board or similar decision-making body. What challenges did you address, how did you support the team, and what outcomes did you achieve?
   
   
2. Provide an example of how you built and maintained a productive working relationship with an independent committee or expert advisory body while respecting its decision-making independence. How did you manage differing views, sensitive issues or competing expectations?

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. 

Applications close 28 October 2026 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Louise Pastro, Manager Threatened Species & Eco Policy on 02 9995 6559 or via louise.pastro@environment.nsw.gov.au

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.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.
  
  

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing dcceew.ta@dpie.nsw.gov.au or contacting Alexandra Blair on 02 8275 1761 (please mention reference number 553579).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at AEX@dcceew.nsw.gov.au for a yarn. 

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