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Posted August 19, 2026
Tablelands Regional Council

Senior Environmental Compliance Advisor

Cairns QLD, Australia Full Time
Compensation: $108,559.29 Annually
$108,559.29 + 12% Super per year
Reference: 316534

  • Tablelands Regional Council | Tolga, QLD
  • 12-month maximum-term contract | $108,559.29 + 12% super

The Opportunity

Tablelands Regional Council is seeking an experienced Lead Compliance Advisor – Water & Waste to join its Water & Waste team in Tolga, QLD on a 12-month maximum-term contract.

Reporting to the Manager Water & Waste, you'll provide specialist leadership across environmental compliance, drinking water quality, wastewater, waste operations and regulatory reporting.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role for someone who enjoys improving systems, strengthening compliance processes and working closely with operational teams to turn identified risks into practical improvements.

What You'll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

  • Lead Drinking Water Quality Management programs in accordance with statutory requirements and the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
  • Provide specialist compliance advice across water, wastewater and waste operations
  • Develop and improve Standard Operating Procedures, compliance systems and operational processes
  • Support environmental management systems, audits and regulatory reporting
  • Coordinate water quality sampling, data management and compliance reporting
  • Manage compliance requirements relating to Environmental Authorities and Council's referable dams
  • Liaise with government agencies, consultants and internal stakeholders
  • Support implementation and continuous improvement of Council's Drinking Water Quality Management Plan
  • Translate identified compliance risks into practical improvement projects
  • Visit operational sites and build strong working relationships with frontline teams

About You

To qualify, you'll have either:

  • A tertiary qualification in Environmental Management or Environmental Science; or
  • At least five years' experience in a compliance role within the water and waste industries

You'll also bring experience in environmental management and water and waste compliance within local government or a similarly regulated environment.

Experience in the following areas will be highly regarded:

  • Water, wastewater and solid waste operations
  • Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
  • Drinking Water Quality Management Plans
  • Environmental Management Systems
  • Environmental auditing and risk management
  • Regulatory and compliance reporting
  • Stakeholder engagement and negotiation
  • Supervisory or team leadership
  • A current Driver Licence is also required.

You'll suit this role if you're proactive, accountable and motivated by improving systems rather than simply maintaining them. You'll be comfortable combining technical expertise with practical problem-solving and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.

Why Join Tablelands Regional Council?

You'll receive an LGIA Stream A Level 7 salary of $108,559.29 per annum + 12% superannuation, along with:

  • Flexible working arrangements
  • 76-hour fortnight
  • Opportunity to work from home where operationally appropriate
  • Council pool vehicles for site visits
  • Professional autonomy and meaningful technical leadership
  • Exposure across drinking water, wastewater, waste and environmental compliance
  • Support from experienced external consultants on major projects
  • The opportunity to make a lasting impact across Council's Water & Waste operations

About Tablelands Regional Council

Tablelands Regional Council delivers essential services to communities across Queensland's Tablelands region.

Council manages a diverse portfolio of water, wastewater and waste assets, with a strong focus on sustainable infrastructure, environmental stewardship and positive community outcomes.

Joining the Water & Waste team will give you the opportunity to directly influence drinking water quality, environmental compliance and operational excellence while working closely with operational staff, consultants and regulators.

Apply Now

If you're ready to use your environmental and compliance expertise to strengthen water and waste operations and deliver meaningful improvements for the community, apply today.

Additional Application Instructions

To view the full job description and apply for the role, visit this link: https://tablelandsregionalcouncil.applynow.net.au/jobs/316534