Role Description
Executive Officer
Cluster
Planning & Environment
Agency
Environment Protection Authority
Division/Branch/Unit
Waste and Resource Recovery Branch
Location
Sydney
Classification/Grade/Band
Environment Officer Class 11
ANZSCO Code
511112
Role Number
TBC
PCAT Code
1111592
Date of Approval
July 2017
Agency Website
www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Agency overview
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the state’s primary environmental regulator. We work
with business, government and the community to manage and reduce pollution and waste. The EPA is a
separate agency within the Planning and Environment cluster. We respond to pollution incidents and
emergencies and enforce environmental regulations, monitor compliance and investigate reports of
pollution. The EPA regulates the environmental aspects of native forestry on public and private land in
NSW.
Primary purpose of the role
To provide high level, professional executive support to the Executive Director; coordinate and implement
Branch-wide projects and responses that support the integrated delivery of state-wide programs, regulation
and strategy.
Key accountabilities
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Provide direction and advice on the development and review of EPA standards, protocols, policies,
processes and procedures that guide Waste and Resource Recovery branch’s responses to
environmental protection and regulation issues and ensure a high standard of regulatory
compliance; contribute to the application of governance practices that support optimal environment
protection and regulatory compliance with organisation policies, acts and legislation.
Support the Executive Director to manage requests for information received from the Minister’s
Office, Department of Premier and Cabinet, EPA Chair and CEO and other government agencies
and coordinate informed and well-constructed responses complying with government protocols
whilst maintaining confidentiality, diplomacy and discretion.
Coordinate the preparation of sensitive, high level and often urgent, reports, Cabinet Minutes,
briefing notes, presentations, minutes, submissions and recommendations, ensuring documents are
comprehensive, accurate and comply with relevant presentation standards and protocols.
Undertake accurate and timely research in preparing advice to the Waste and Resource Recovery
branch in the management of sensitive and politically contentious issues taking into consideration
regulatory compliance, governance and the achievement of corporate and broader government
initiatives.
Coordinate the provision of secretariat services ensuring high quality, efficient and timely support to
the Executive Director. Oversee successful project management of actions arising from committee
and project team meetings.
1
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Prepare and conduct project briefings to the Executive Director and relevant significant project
stakeholders to keep them informed of project progress and arising issues; provide expert advice on
policy, legislative and procedural implications impacting on projects and recommend appropriate
interventions.
Regularly review Waste and Resource Recovery Branch’s multi-lateral and multi-disciplinary branch,
program and project plans, management systems, processes and procedures to identify changes
needed and make recommendations for project improvement.
Lead project teams including applying project management methodologies, preparing project briefs
and project plans, managing resources, stakeholder consultations, key milestone reporting achieve,
project evaluation and post implementation reports.
Key challenges
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Operating in a high volume work environment with competing demands and tight deadlines while
exercising confidentiality, diplomacy and discretion at all times.
Exercising astute judgement in managing confidential and sensitive information that has the
potential to impact on organisational performance or reputation.
Developing an understanding of the complexities of inter-agency and intergovernmental protocols,
processes and policies.
Key relationships
Who
Why
Internal
Executive Director, Waste and
Resource Recovery

Receive guidance and support, provide expert advice and exchange
information.
Project teams
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Provide guidance, exchange information and facilitate their ongoing
professional development.
EPA Branches

Proactively foster and maintain valuable working relationships to
develop an in depth understanding of the workings of government
and its structures, to identify and seek input into emerging issues and
trends impacting on environment protection and regulation
government initiatives.

Facilitate opportunities for understanding, information sharing,
consultation and participation in the development and implementation
of projects that address corporate and government priorities.
External
Government and non-government
organisations
Role dimensions
Decision making
The Executive Officer operates with a high level of autonomy within the parameters of agreed work plans
and project briefs. The role is fully accountable for the quality, integrity and accuracy of advice provided and
for the delivery of assigned projects on time and at or below budgets.
Reporting line
The Executive Officer reports to the Executive Director, Waste and Resource Recovery.
Direct reports
Nil.
Role Description
2
Budget/Expenditure
Nil.
Essential requirements
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Extensive knowledge of and experience in the provision of high level executive support.
Extensive experience working in a senior executive support function including provision of advice on
environmental and regulatory issues at a senior level.
Demonstrated experience in project management including managing project teams to deliver
strategic organisational, governance and identifying project priorities for environmental protection
and regulation.
Capabilities for the role
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework applies to all NSW public sector employees. The Capability
Framework is available at www.psc.nsw.gov.au/capabilityframework.
Capability summary
Below is the full list of capabilities and the level required for this role. The capabilities in bold are the focus
capabilities for this role. Refer to the next section for further information about the focus capabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Capability Group
Role Description
Capability Name
Level
Display Resilience and Courage
Adept
Act with Integrity
Adept
Manage Self
Advanced
Value Diversity
Intermediate
Communicate Effectively
Advanced
Commit to Customer Service
Intermediate
Work Collaboratively
Adept
Influence and Negotiate
Adept
Deliver Results
Adept
Plan and Prioritise
Adept
Think and Solve Problems
Adept
Demonstrate Accountability
Intermediate
Finance
Intermediate
Technology
Intermediate
Procurement and Contract Management
Intermediate
Project Management
Adept
3
Focus capabilities
The focus capabilities for the role are the capabilities in which occupants must demonstrate immediate
competence. The behavioural indicators provide examples of the types of behaviours that would be
expected at that level and should be reviewed in conjunction with the role’s key accountabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators

Personal Attributes
Act with Integrity
Adept
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Personal Attributes
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Advanced
Manage Self
Relationships
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Communicate Effectively Advanced
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Relationships
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Adept
Work Collaboratively
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Results
Deliver Results
Adept
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Results

Adept
Plan and Prioritise
Role Description
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4
Represent the organisation in an honest, ethical and
professional way and encourage others to do so
Demonstrate professionalism to support a culture of integrity
within the team/unit
Set an example for others to follow and identify and explain
ethical issues
Ensure that others understand the legislation and policy
framework within which they operate
Act to prevent and report misconduct, illegal and inappropriate
behaviour
Act as a professional role model for colleagues, set high
personal goals and take pride in their achievement
Actively seek, reflect and act on feedback on own performance
Translate negative feedback into an opportunity to improve
Maintain a high level of personal motivation
Take the initiative and act in a decisive way
Present with credibility, engage varied audiences and test
levels of understanding
Translate technical and complex information concisely for
diverse audiences
Create opportunities for others to contribute to discussion and
debate
Actively listen and encourage others to contribute inputs
Adjust style and approach to optimise outcomes
Write fluently and persuasively in a range of styles and formats
Encourage a culture of recognising the value of collaboration
Build co-operation and overcome barriers to information
sharing and communication across teams/units
Share lessons learned across teams/units
Identify opportunities to work collaboratively with other teams/
units to solve issues and develop better processes and
approaches to work
Take responsibility for delivering on intended outcomes
Make sure team/unit staff understand expected goals and
acknowledge success
Identify resource needs and ensure goals are achieved within
budget and deadlines
Identify changed priorities and ensure allocation of resources
meets new business needs
Ensure financial implications of changed priorities are explicit
and budgeted for
Use own expertise and seek others’ expertise to achieve work
outcomes
Take into account future aims and goals of the team/unit and
organisation when prioritising own and others’ work
Initiate, prioritise, consult on and develop team/unit goals,
strategies and plans
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
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Business Enablers
Project Management
Adept
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Role Description
5
Anticipate and assess the impact of changes, such as
government policy/economic conditions, on team/unit
objectives and initiate appropriate responses
Ensure current work plans and activities support and are
consistent with organisational change initiatives
Evaluate achievements and adjust future plans accordingly
Prepare clear project proposals and define scope and goals in
measurable terms
Establish performance outcomes and measures for key project
goals, and define monitoring, reporting and communication
requirements
Prepare accurate estimates of costs and resources required
for more complex projects
Communicate the project strategy and its expected benefits to
others
Monitor the completion of project milestones against goals
and initiate amendments where necessary
Evaluate progress and identify improvements to inform future
projects