AddressJob Title: Senior Environmental Planner
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Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly experienced and passionate Senior Environmental Planner to join our team at ZEN Energy in Melbourne CBD. As a key member of our sustainability-driven company, you will be responsible for leading environmental planning initiatives and strategies to support our mission of achieving zero emissions and accelerating Australia's transition to renewable energy.
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About the role:
ZEN is seeking an experienced Environmental Planner to support and drive the efficient and timely delivery of environmental and planning approvals whilst also being entrusted to take on the role of project lead for one or more greenfield development projects. ZEN are growing our development team to support our portfolio of utility electricity and storage projects (and some green industrial projects) whilst managing their overall risk profile.
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This is a growth opportunity for a motivated individual, with the role able to evolve to increasing levels of responsibility and increased exposure to an exciting and diverse pipeline of development activity.
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Specific responsibilities will include:
• Provide guidance, and strong support to (and in some instances directly lead) the environmental approvals workstreams of ZEN’s developments, including:
o Scoping the work and identifying external advisors, consultants and specialists best placed to support the scope of work
o Participating in procurement of external support (preparation of request for proposals, evaluating tenders, organising consultancy agreements)
o Work with the broader ZEN team to refine project footprints and design to manage critical risks
o Review draft EIS/EES/EPBC/Planning Reports and similar deliverables to ensure quality and appropriateness.
o Prepare material for board approval to progress through development stage gates
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• Build and manage relationships across local council and state planning departments
• Take ownership of 1-2 greenfield developments in their entirety (for example this could
include a PV/BESS hybrid project or a standalone BESS)
• Participate in greenfield landowner engagement to secure additional development sites
where a business need and rationale for investment is identified
• Participate in community and stakeholder engagement, with potential for a more active role
in this space subject to level of interest. Note: ZEN have a standalone internal stakeholder
and engagement team.
• Support environmental and regulatory compliance of sites progressing through construction
or in operations
• Bring general lessons learnt to bear on ZEN’s development projects
• Explore new approaches/processes to identification and avoidance/mitigation of
environmental risks in ZEN’s development activity and business operations
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As part of the ZEN team, you will be curious, have a bold imagination, strive to be your best in everything you can do and be ready to laugh and have fun at work.
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Required skills/education:
• Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, or related discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience inclusive of significant major infrastructure approvals
• Experience in the renewable energy & storage sector considered favourably
• Ability to communicate clearly (verbal and written) and adjust communications style and content to the audience
• Proactive and autonomous working style required
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Interpersonal Capabilities
• You will engage collaboratively with stakeholders across the business and externally as well.
• We would love you to be able to clearly explain and deliver information, even if it is complex.
• A strong attention to detail, self-organisation, and ability to meet deadlines is important.
• You will be passionate about learning the issues relating to the energy industry, particularly in renewables.
• The ZEN values will sit well with you and be reflective of the way you like to work.
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If you do not have all these skills, we still want to hear from you. Potential is important to us at ZEN, we do not know all the answers yet and are looking for people to help us work them out! To learn more about Zen Energy's projects and career opportunities, please visit us at https://www.zenenergy.com.au/work-with-us/life-at-zen/
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Why Zen?
1. Paid quarterly wellbeing day - in 2023, our team collectively took 183 wellbeing days.
2. Paid volunteer day each year - over half our team volunteered with community organisations across Australia in 2023.
3. Paid parental leave of 18 weeks for all part-time and full-time employees
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For any questions regarding this opportunity or to obtain a copy of the position description, please reach out via email to ***********@zenenergy.com.au for a confidential discussion.
