This is a unique and newly created opportunity for a Senior Ecologist to join Sydney Water’s high-performing Environment and Heritage Services team. You will be responsible for providing expert ecological advice and conducting biodiversity assessments to support the approval of infrastructure projects across Sydney Water’s extensive asset portfolio. With a $34 billion capital works program underway, this role will help shape in-house ecological capability and play a crucial part in protecting Sydney’s natural heritage.
Reporting to the Environmental Assessment Team Manager, the Senior Ecologist is responsible for elevating and optimising performance through both strategic and operational delivery. Sydney Water has an organisational focus and commitment to innovation, sustainability and exceptional customer experiences making them well positioned to have large scale impact.
Sydney Water support hybrid and flexible working. To support their high-performance culture, Sydney Water requires employees to collaborate face to face at least three days each week over a monthly average, this includes site visits, meetings, and time in Parramatta Head Office. To facilitate this, employees must reside within the Greater Sydney area or within a commutable distance.
Key responsibilities of the Senior Ecologist include:
- Lead and assist in delivery of biodiversity assessments for infrastructure projects, largely using a panel of ecological consultants
- Provide strategic ecological input across project planning and approvals
- Undertake field assessments, flora/fauna identification, vegetation mapping
- Interpret and apply NSW biodiversity legislation and planning policies
- Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to deliver ecological outcomes
- Help develop and shape in-house ecological capability and standards
- Support continuing professional development and industry engagement
- Foster a culture of high engagement, performance and accountability.
For this appointment, we are seeking an accomplished Ecologist. This role requires a unique combination of expertise and strategic insight, with an ability to empower and upskill others. Key requirements for the Senior Ecologist include;
- Relevant qualifications (Bachelors or Post Graduate Degree Preferable) in ecology, zoology, botany or other related discipline
- Sound knowledge of NSW biodiversity legislation, policy, and ideally BAM methodology
- Strong field-based skills in flora and fauna ID, vegetation mapping, threatened species surveys
- Experience in major infrastructure and/or water utility projects
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and teamwork skill
Sydney Water is Australia’s largest water utility, providing water, wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater services to Greater Sydney. Each day, Sydney Water delivers essential water services to 5,401,000 people, fostering vibrant and sustainable communities across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra. For 136 years, they have provided water, wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater services, all vital for healthy waterways and thriving cities.
Sydney Water are passionate about making a difference to the lives of their customers and communities. They have a proud heritage and progressive future providing world class drinking water and services that are vital to their customers’ quality of life and safeguarding Sydney’s future. They see the world is changing, so they are changing too.
Their vision is to create better lives through world-class services, and they believe that starts with their people. Their people and their jobs are as diverse as the communities they serve. These diverse skills, mindsets and backgrounds work together on exciting and challenging projects that make a difference and help ensure Sydney remains one of the most iconic and liveable cities in the world.
They welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Simon Wybenga and Lily Moger of The Orchard Talent Group via email at lily@orchardtalent.com.au to arrange a time to speak. To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your suitability before 11:55 PM (AEST) on 20th June 2025.
The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
