Position Number: P00400, P00706

Directorate: Environment and Planning

Service: Environmental Living

Location: South Street Depot

Position
Classification:

Band 6

Date
Created/Updated

15 March 2026

POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

Deliver Council’s weed compliance program through the inspection of private land,
Council land, and land managed by other public authorities, applying regulatory powers
under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 to achieve effective biosecurity outcomes.

Implement and support weed inspection programs through field operations, inspection
planning, data management, reporting, and coordination of weed control activities across
multiple land tenures.

Provide specialist advice, education, and collaborative support to landowners, public
authorities, contractors, Council staff, and the community to promote effective long-term
weed management and shared biosecurity responsibility.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Coordinator Weeds Compliance

Staff Responsibility: Casual/Temporary Staff, Trainees, Contractors

Key Internal Relationships: Compliance & Specialist Services Branch,
Environment Branch, Parks Crews, Bushcare,
Natural Areas Management Team, Environmental
Living Manager

Key External Relationships: Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development, Contractors, other Councils,

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Conduct regulatory inspections across private land and land managed by other public

authorities to ensure compliance with the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.
2. Provide specialist regulatory and technical advice to landowners, land managers, and

public authorities on their general biosecurity duty and legal obligations, including the
preparation of practical weed management strategies for large and complex
landholdings.

3. Monitor for new incursions and complete Weed Risk Assessments utilising the NSW
Weed Risk Management System.

4. Maintain accurate and legally robust records of inspections, compliance actions,
notices and management outcomes through the consistent use of database systems,
GIS mapping, and associated reporting tools.

5. Respond to frequent customer service requests and community enquiries in a timely
and professional manner, balancing reactive demands with delivery of scheduled
inspection programs.

6. Engage effectively with members of the public applying high-level communication,
relationship building and negotiation skills to manage difficult conversations and
achieve practical compliance outcomes.

7. Educate the community and internal staff on priority weed identification and
management by assisting with activities in the communications plan including social
media, community events, and workshops

8. Work collaboratively with internal Council programs, including the Natural Areas Team,
to coordinate weed control activities across land tenures and strengthen strategic,
landscape-scale management of priority weeds throughout the LGA.

9. Represent Council in external forums, including catchment group meetings, regional
weed committees, interagency workshops etc.

10. Liaise with other public authority staff in relation to weed control on specific sites
(Transport for NSW, Sydney Water etc.).

11. Liaise with contractors to coordinate weed control works, prepare specifications where
required, and supervise contract delivery to ensure quality outcomes for external works




and externally funded projects.

12. Work autonomously in the field by organizing effective daily work schedules while
maintaining consistent communication with the Coordinator Weeds Compliance of
operational progress and emerging issues.

13. Operate, maintain, and safely use herbicide application equipment, plant, and
associated field machinery for the control of priority and environmental weeds on
Council-managed land where required.

14. Maintain chemical storage facilities, manifests, and stock records, including quarterly
stocktakes, in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.

15. Train, mentor, and supervise new staff.
16. Contribute to team meetings, policy and procedure review, and strategic planning to

strengthen the effectiveness and future direction of the Weeds Compliance Program.
17. Contribute to the planning and reporting of Council’s priority weed inspection programs

including analysis and field assessment of proposed areas.
18. Fulfil all workplace health and safety obligations by identifying hazards, following safe

work procedures, and ensuring compliance with Council policies, including asbestos
management requirements.

Workplace Health & Safety

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and
in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety

aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations.

You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition, you are required
to comply with Council’s Asbestos Management Plan and Policy at all times.

Compliance & Risk

You are responsible for ensuring that you conduct your risk management responsibilities
as described in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the
ERM Framework) with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and reported
in a timely manner.

In undertaking your work should you identify contaminated land or potentially
contaminated land, including but not limited to Asbestos contamination you are required
to notify your supervisor immediately.

COMMUNICATION

- This position communicates regulatory advice in relation to the NSW Biosecurity Act





2015 and other relevant legislation.
- The position directly communicates with residents on private properties and requires

strong communication and negotiation skills.
- The position liaises with other Council staff, community groups, other government

agencies and weed control contractors advising on priority and environmental weed
issues and other environmental matters.

- The position requires the ability to issue, collect and electronically record information

such as inspection and regulatory notices and weed occurrences using Council’s
information systems.

- The position requires the skill to train recent staff.

- To provide technical advice to members of the public, residents, contractors.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

- Effectively organise daily work schedules to balance proactive inspection programs

with reactive customer requests, ensuring work is prioritised based on weed
seasonality and environmental impact.

- Evaluate biosecurity risks and determine appropriate enforcement actions, ensuring

all notices and management plans comply with the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 while
maintaining procedural fairness.

- Assist in determining if new weed incursions are high risk.

- Utilise GIS and database systems to identify infestation trends and assess the severity

of new incursions.
- Work both independently in the field and collaboratively with the Natural Areas

Management Team to resolve issues that inhibit cross-tenure weed control.
- Prepare contract specifications and supervise external contractors to ensure the

quality, safety, and effectiveness of weed control outcomes.

AUTHORITY

This position will make decisions on issuing weed control notices under the NSW
Biosecurity Act 2015.

SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

- TAFE Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management, Agriculture, Bush

Regeneration or Horticulture discipline.
- Current Chemical User Accreditation (e.g. ChemCert AQF III)

- Hands-on experience in identifying and controlling priority and environmental weed

species found in the Blue Mountains region.
- Ability to identify the best control methods for different species and situations, with

experience in practical weed management planning.
- High-level communication and interpersonal skills to manage daily public interactions,

handle difficult conversations, and maintain clear professional boundaries.
- Experience in treating and managing weed infestations including the use,

maintenance, and safe handling of herbicide application equipment.
- Demonstrated experience in utilizing multiple database systems and GIS mapping

software to consistently record field data and generate reports.
- Experience supporting and delivering educational content through various mediums,

including social media, community events, and workshops.
- A proven record of providing excellent customer service.

- Strong organizational skills and ability to work autonomously in the field.

- Understanding of and commitment to Occupational Health and Safety.

- A current Class C Driver’s licence.

DESIRABLE

- Experience working within Local government in Australia to support the delivery of

legislative compliance, regulatory inspections, and enforcement activities.
- Extensive experience using conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

- Level 1 Chainsaw accreditation

📌 Weeds Compliance Officer/10139) (Australia)
🏢 Blue Mountains City Council
📍 Australia