Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 849206
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Join the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and play a pivotal role in delivering once in a generation legislative reform - the implementation of the Biodiversity Act 2025.

This is a rare opportunity to lead meaningful regulatory change that will have lasting impacts on biodiversity, government policy, and community outcomes across the state.

About the Role:
As the Senior Policy Advisor, you will be accountable for the provision of specialist policy advice to the Director and to the Division.  This role leads and coordinates the delivery of the process improvement for Native Vegetation Act 1991 and associated regulations in the transition to the Biodiversity Act 2025.

Key role outcomes will include:

• Expert legislative and policy advice informs Executive decision making in providing timely and strategic advice in relation to the Native Vegetation Act 1991, the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017 and the Biodiversity Act 2025.
• Key partnerships and collaborative working arrangements are established and maintained within and external to the Native Vegetation Branch.
• The Director Native Vegetation and Pastoral Management, and the Manager Native Vegetation, are advised on change process matters, specifically improvements required ahead of the commencement of the Biodiversity Act 2025 native plants elements.
• The Native Vegetation leadership team is kept up to date on the progress of required changes and their impact on the Branch's business and resourcing.
• High level and complex correspondence, such as Ministerials, Parliamentary Briefing Notes, Cabinet Notes, Cabinet Submissions and Memorandums of Understanding are prepared to support statutory responsibilities and influence agency, State and national policy direction if required.
• Works across the branch, in all work streams, to ensure programs are consistent with the requirements of the Native Vegetation Act or the Biodiversity Act.

What can we offer you!

• Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia!
• Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance.
• Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
• Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Access to our Fitness Passport Program.
• Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: 
Contract for up to 30/06/2028

Special Conditions:

• May be required to participate in responses to state emergencies or associated duties.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
• Prior to being employed, the successful candidate will be required to provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), which is required to be renewed every three years. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.
• May be required to undertake intra or

A successful applicant who is not currently employed by the Department for Environment and Water will be required to have an original photo identification document sighted and provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) issued within the last 12 months.

Remuneration: 
ASO7, $112,163 min - $121,246 max p.a.

Enquiries to:
Dr Cassandra Star, Director, Native Vegetation and Pastoral Management
cassandra.star@sa.gov.au
0434 887 998

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, current CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages) addressing the Essential and Desirable Criteria (including qualifications) as outlined in the Role Description.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 08/07/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- RD ASO7 Senior Policy Advisor, P68590 FINAL 20260604.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.