Environmental and Sustainability Advisor

The primary mission is to ensure environmental compliance and support sustainability objectives on a major civil infrastructure project in Adelaide. Day-to-day, you will provide practical environmental advice to construction teams, conduct site inspections, and perform environmental monitoring for noise, dust, and vibration. You will also identify risks and implement controls in line with the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). A key responsibility is recording and reporting environmental incidents, impacts, and non-compliances, and escalating them as needed. You will support environmental inductions and training to build awareness across the project. Additionally, you will assist with sustainability initiatives, monitor performance against targets, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts. Long-term, your work will help McConnell Dowell deliver the project in an environmentally responsible manner and meet its sustainability goals, which could include reducing carbon footprint and minimising community impact.

This role offers significant learning opportunities in environmental monitoring and compliance within a large-scale civil infrastructure context. You can expect to deepen your expertise in noise, dust, and vibration monitoring, risk assessment, and the implementation of practical controls. Working with the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will provide hands-on experience in applying environmental legislation to real-world scenarios. The sustainability component will allow you to develop skills in monitoring performance against targets and contributing to continuous improvement and reporting. You will likely gain exposure to McConnell Dowell's sustainability initiatives, which could include carbon reduction, waste management, and community engagement. This experience is valuable for advancing in the ESG field. Additionally, the company's mentoring culture and diverse projects mean you can learn from experienced professionals and possibly pursue further training or certifications. The fast-paced construction environment will sharpen your problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills, preparing you for more senior roles.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in construction or a related field, with a bachelor's degree in environmental management or a similar discipline. They should possess solid knowledge of environmental compliance, risk management, and monitoring techniques, particularly for noise, dust, and vibration. Experience with Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) and environmental legislation is essential. Soft skills are equally important: strong communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement abilities are needed to work effectively with construction teams. The candidate should be practical, field-oriented, and able to build relationships across diverse groups. A proactive attitude and a commitment to sustainability are also valued. Certifications such as Certified Environmental Practitioner or similar might be advantageous, though not explicitly required. The candidate should be adaptable, as they will work on a major civil infrastructure project, and align with McConnell Dowell's values of diversity, inclusion, and low ego.

When applying, tailor your resume to highlight direct experience with construction environmental management. Focus on specific projects where you monitored noise, dust, and vibration, implemented controls, and ensured compliance with CEMPs. Quantify results where possible, such as reductions in incidents or improvements in compliance metrics. In your cover letter, express genuine interest in McConnell Dowell's creative construction approach and their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mention how you align with their values and can contribute to both environmental compliance and sustainability objectives on major civil infrastructure projects. Show that you understand the challenges of working with construction teams and can offer practical solutions. During interviews, be ready to discuss real scenarios where you identified environmental risks and implemented effective controls. Demonstrate your communication skills by explaining how you engage with stakeholders, from site workers to project managers. Also, be prepared to ask insightful questions about the project and McConnell Dowell's sustainability goals, showing your proactive mindset.

This role will focus on the environmental and social aspects of sustainability within a construction context. You will be involved in environmental compliance, monitoring noise, dust, and vibration to minimise impact on local communities. The project's sustainability objectives likely include reducing emissions, managing waste, and protecting biodiversity. You will support initiatives that monitor performance against targets, such as carbon reduction or water usage. The social dimension might involve community engagement, ensuring that construction activities do not disproportionately affect nearby residents. Governance aspects include adhering to legislation and the CEMP. At McConnell Dowell, sustainability is integrated into their creative construction approach, so you could contribute to innovative practices that balance infrastructure delivery with environmental stewardship. This role is at the intersection of on-site environmental management and broader sustainability strategy, offering a chance to see how both come together in a major project.

One of the main challenges will be balancing environmental compliance with the practical realities of a major construction project. Construction teams often face time and cost pressures, so you may need to find solutions that are both environmentally sound and operationally feasible. This requires strong communication and negotiation skills and the ability to influence without formal authority. Another challenge is the dynamic nature of construction sites, where conditions change rapidly. You might need to adapt monitoring strategies and respond to incidents in real time. Ensuring that environmental controls are consistently followed across various subcontractors and shifts could be difficult, requiring vigilance and persistence. Additionally, you may face the challenge of measuring and reporting sustainability performance accurately, especially if data is fragmented or hard to collect. Maintaining motivation and engagement among construction crews for environmental awareness can also be an ongoing effort.

A typical day might start with a site walk to inspect construction activities and check for environmental compliance. You could conduct noise, dust, or vibration monitoring using specialised equipment, and record data for reporting. You might then meet with construction supervisors to discuss any issues and provide advice on controls. Mid-day, you could be involved in a toolbox talk or induction session, training workers on environmental awareness. You might also respond to an incident, such as a spill or excessive noise complaint, investigating and escalating as needed. Afternoons may include updating the CEMP, preparing reports, or analysing monitoring data. Variability is high: some days are dominated by field work, others by meetings or paperwork. You will likely interact with a range of people, from site workers to project managers, and your schedule may shift based on project phases and weather conditions.

In this role, you could grow by taking on more complex environmental challenges and eventually leading environmental aspects of larger projects. McConnell Dowell's diverse project portfolio across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia might offer opportunities to work on different types of infrastructure, broadening your expertise. The company's emphasis on investing in people and providing mentoring suggests you could receive guidance from experienced professionals, helping you develop skills for senior roles such as Environmental Manager or Sustainability Lead. Success in this position might also open doors to lateral moves into sustainability strategy or corporate ESG roles within the company. Additionally, as you contribute to sustainability initiatives and reporting, you could gain exposure to broader corporate sustainability practices, positioning yourself for advancement in the growing field of ESG.

You will interact primarily with construction teams, including site supervisors, engineers, and workers. Your role involves providing them with practical environmental advice, conducting inspections, and ensuring they understand and follow environmental controls. Building trust and rapport with these teams is essential to effectively manage environmental risks. You will also work closely with the project management team, including environmental managers and sustainability leads, to align on goals and report on performance. Regular communication with these stakeholders will be necessary to escalate incidents and drive continuous improvement. Externally, you might engage with regulators, community groups, and subcontractors. Regulators may conduct audits or require compliance reports, so you will need to ensure all documentation is accurate. Community engagement could involve addressing concerns related to noise, dust, or vibration, requiring empathy and clear communication.