Join Us in Shaping Western Australia's Future
About Us
At the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, we’re not just hiring, we’re building the future. As Western Australia embarks on a bold agenda to remain the strongest economy in the nation, we play a critical role in delivering on government priorities: supporting sustainable development across the state, enabling renewable energy, protecting our environment, and securing our water future.
We are an influential and future-focused organisation, working at the intersection of science, policy, and community. We’re guided by good science, cultural knowledge, and a values-based culture that reflects who we are and how we go about our work.
If you're driven to make a real impact, whether it's supporting industry transformation, driving innovation in environmental regulation, enabling clean energy, or restoring waterways we invite you to bring your talent, your ideas, and your commitment to a team that’s delivering for today and planning for tomorrow.
Be part of something bigger. Be part of DWER. Find out more about us by visiting our website at www.dwer.wa.gov.au
The Opportunity:
This is a fixed term full time opportunity for 2 years with the possibility of extension and/or permanency.
We are seeking a Director, Green Energy to lead a critical function within environmental approvals at a time of significant growth in critical mineral and renewable energy developments.
This is a 2-year opportunity with an immediate start, leading a team responsible for the assessment and progression of major projects across Western Australia.
This role operates within a fast-moving and evolving environment, where priorities shift, pipelines grow, and expectations continue to increase. It is a role that is both highly attractive and inherently challenging.
You will:
- Lead the delivery of efficient environmental assessments across a diverse and expanding pipeline of projects
- Provide leadership to a team managing multiple, concurrent priority projects across the State
- Work closely with senior stakeholders, including project proponents, the EPA, State and Commonwealth partner agencies, executive government and communities.
- Navigate a context where prioritisation, adaptation and sound judgement are essential to success
This role requires a track record of environmental approvals delivery, budget and schedule management, the ability to deliver through others, and the capacity to navigate complexity, while continuing to progress outcomes across a broad and interconnected system.
Who we’re looking for:
We are looking for a well-rounded leader who can bring both deep technical expertise and the ability to lead in a dynamic and demanding environment.
1. Technical Expertise - Environmental Assessment
You bring substantial experience in environmental impact assessment, evidencing a strong understanding of how major projects impact the natural environment and how those impacts are assessed and managed. Your expertise spans complex approvals pathways and regulatory frameworks, and you are confident applying this knowledge in real-world, high-scrutiny contexts.
2. Leadership - Delivering Through Others
You are an experienced leader who has managed teams delivering across a significant and often competing pipeline of work. You know how to set direction, prioritise effort, and deliver outcomes through others, particularly where demand exceeds capacity and trade-offs are required.
3. Stakeholder Engagement - Operating at Senior Levels
You are highly capable of navigating complex stakeholder environments, engaging effectively with Ministers, the EPA, partner agencies and project proponents. You build credibility quickly and maintain alignment across competing priorities while continuing to progress outcomes.
4. Operating in Complexity - Adaptability and Judgement
You thrive in environments where priorities shift, workloads are high, and competing pressures must be balanced. You bring strong judgement and adaptability, continuously reprioritising and maintaining delivery in a system that is not always linear or predictable, with experience across multiple geographies or at a statewide level highly regarded.
What’s on offer:
- A role at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition and environmental decision-making
- The opportunity to contribute to a large-scale, evolving system that is shaping the State’s future
- A leadership role that is both challenging and rewarding, where your work has visible and lasting impact
- The opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of major projects, including renewable energy and critical minerals
- A highly engaged and purpose-driven environment where expectations are high—and where your contribution matters
This is a role for someone who is motivated by impact, comfortable with challenge, and ready to play a part in something bigger.
As a department we recognise that flexible working arrangements support effective work-life balance, empowers our people and increases team productivity. We are committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce that promotes an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. We value the unique diversity of experience that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women and youth bring to our workforce.
We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference
For further information about the opportunity, we encourage you to contact Sasha Pendal, Deputy Director General Approvals on (08) 6364 7448 or via email sasha.pendal@dwer.wa.gov.au.
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in this opportunity, please apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above or below) and provide the following in Word or PDF format:
- A comprehensive CV (maximum 3–4 pages) outlining your relevant experience
- A cover letter (maximum 3 pages) that clearly demonstrates your capability aligned to ‘Who we’re looking for’ across the following four areas:
- Environmental impact assessment expertise – your experience assessing and managing environmental impacts of major projects
- Leadership and delivery – how you have led teams and delivered outcomes through others in complex environments
- Stakeholder engagement – your experience working with senior stakeholders, including government and industry
- Operating in complexity – how you manage competing priorities, adapt to change, and maintain delivery under pressure
Your application should demonstrate both the depth of your experience and your ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, high-demand environment over the next 12–24 months.
Please Note:
- To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have documentary evidence of entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the employment opportunity.
- As part of this selection for this process, DWER may use a variety of testing methods including video interviews and psychometric assessments.
- DWER may also conduct an executive search to further supplement the field.
- DWER conducts employment screening which may include a National Criminal History check.
For technical difficulties while applying online or information about the application process, please contact us for assistance on (08) 6364 7800 or at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au – email address not to be used for submission of applications.
Access Needs
We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on:
- TTY/voice calls – 133 677
- Speak & Listen – 1300 555 727
- SMS relay – 0423 677 767
If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact us at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au or on (08) 6364 7800.
This process may be used to fill similar vacancies that may arise within DWER and across the WA public sector over the next six (6) months. Vacancies may be full-time or part-time, permanent or fixed term with possibility of extension or permanency in a variety of metropolitan and regional locations.
Applicants found suitable but not recommended for this vacancy may be considered for subsequent vacancies in accordance with Part 5 (General Appointment) of Commissioner's Instruction 2: Filling a Public Sector Vacancy.
CLOSING DATE: Friday, 19 June 2026 4:00pm time (Australian Western Standard Time)
Applications that are in progress or submitted after the closing time will not be accepted.
