The opportunity we have available

The Airports Environment Branch is responsible for regulating environmental management at federally leased airports and delivering the government’s Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Airports Investigation Program (the Program) through its PFAS Taskforce.

The Environmental Regulations Section regulates environmental management at 20 federally leased airports and members of our team are located all around Australia. Airport Environment Officers (AEOs) are authorised officers who exercise regulatory functions under the Airports Act 1996, the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 2026 (the Regulations), and the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 (the 1997Regulations), monitor the implementation of Airport Environment Strategies, and liaise with Airport Lessee Companies and their tenants on environmental issues, working closely with Airport Building Controllers. The AEOs are supported to carry out their regulatory functions by EL1 Hub Managers (Vic/Tas, WA/SA, QLD/NT and NSW/ACT) and a Network Coordination support team, where this position sits, that provides financial, administrative, corporate and legal policy support. In addition, the AEO Network is supported by the Environment Regulatory Support team, which provides Compliance and Governance support.

The Environmental Regulation Section is an inclusive, dedicated, forward-thinking team that has a vacancy available for a Network Support Officer at the APS5 level. AEOs work as a nationwide network of environmental scientists and engineers, supporting each other to delivery regulatory outcomes that are evidence-based, robust, defensible and consistent. All our team members are energetic and autonomous with an agile mindset that values effective communications with internal and external stakeholders.

These roles are located in Canberra, Orange, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Townsville. Alternate locations may be considered through our flexible working arrangements, please reach out to the Contact Officer to discuss further.

The key duties of the position include:

What you will do

You will contribute administrative advice and support for AEOs and undertake detailed financial tasks on behalf of the section, under the supervision of an Assistant Director. The role is varied and dynamic, but key duties of the position includes:

- First level support to AEOs for administrative, travel, logistics, and departmental policy queries.
- Undertake annual cost estimates process, projecting, calculating, and manipulating data to establish AEO costs for the provision of the AEO function at 19 leased federal airports.
- Complete annual cost recovery process, analysing and apportioning data to determine the total, actual costs of providing the AEO function for 19 leased federal airports.
- Recruitment support including onboarding and exit processes for AEOs.
- Support contract management, monitor contract performance, process monthly invoices, and run reports and investigations to meet our contractual and financial obligations.




- Develop monthly accrual reports and support budget forecasting and accruals processes.
- Help to develop and maintain key process guideline documents.
- Coordination support to AEOs to deliver Annual Environment Reports.
- Support the coordination and event management of the annual AEO Conference in Canberra.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the AEO Network members and corporate teams including ASU and Finance Operations.
- Recommend strategic directions for AEO coordination that considers the broader context.
- Under supervision, coordinate and prepare input and responses to corporate tasking.
- Under supervision, prepare policy-related documents, including talking points, correspondence to stakeholders, and briefing papers.

Inherent requirements for the role

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS5 Work level standards. As an APS5 Network Support Officer, you will ideally have:

- Experience in stakeholder management, including coordinating a remote-working team.
- Ability to nurture productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Assist in the management of corporate functions including human resources, procurement, contract management, property, information technology security and finances.
- Experience in finance and strong Excel skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and an interest in policy development, including drafting clear and influential briefing papers for senior managers
- Work under limited guidance and within a team, using initiative and raising complex issues with team leaders.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment to make decisions and solve moderately complex issues.
- Consider and effectively manage competing priorities and strategic directions.
- Demonstrate resilience and the ability to deal with ambiguity, complexity and change.
- High attention to detail.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an APS5 you will be expected to:





- Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
- Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
- Communicate respectfully and seek appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Clearance level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Notes

For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for and how to apply, please refer to the position description available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Getting to know the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Our work connects and enriches every Australian community, underpins our economy and society, and empowers our regions. We provide policy advice and deliver programs, projects and services in the infrastructure, transport, communications, sport and arts sectors, supporting our regions, cities and territories. Our staff have the opportunity to work on high profile and diverse national projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of all Australians. We seek people with a wide range of skills and competencies. Whether you write policy, deliver programs, projects or corporate services, or have experience in research, data or technology, we look for employees who are innovative, respectful and qualified. We are an inclusive employer and promote, value and support diversity among our employees with the aim of ensuring our workforce reflects, respects and benefits from diverse communities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people. We are committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

📌 Network Support Officer, Airports Environment Branch (Brisbane)
🏢 Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
📍 Brisbane