Local recruitment: Principal Scientist

Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Soil & Catchment Science; Water and Catchments; Science; Dutton Park

As Principal Scientist, you will lead a team within the Soil, Catchment and Riverine Processes Unit, Soil and Catchment Science Branch. You will be in charge of coordinating the activities of the Queensland River Management Program (QRMP).

To do so, you will define the work program and provide guidance and scientific advice to the project partners, as well as providing updates and negotiating work plans with partner agencies and the agencies funding this program.

Alongside your peers within the unit and partner agencies, your demonstrated knowledge of soil, catchment and riverine processes (including soil and water biogeochemical processes), and river and catchment management will provide leading edge and innovative scientific research, data and analysis, contributing to evidence-based advice for policy and planning decisions.

Job details

As the Principal Scientist you will manage contracts with the project partners and coordinate activities to achieve the QRMP objectives in collaboration with partners, including the application and continuing development of the Queensland River Rehabilitation Management Guideline and the Queensland River Classification Scheme, including mapping of the River Classification Attributes in priority locations.

You will also lead development of river rehabilitation monitoring and reporting tools, deliver a number of case studies demonstrating deliver of the River Rehabilitation Management Guideline, and review and implement governance for the QRMP.

You will develop and maintain workplans defining deliverables and timelines for the activities to be conducted by the program in partnership with funding agencies and attract and manage new funding to enable the continuation and consolidation of the QRMP.

You will build on the activities conducted to support a range of government policies and initiatives relevant to river management including the Point Source Water Quality Offsets Policy (2019), Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Environmental Recovery, and ensure that the outputs produced by the Queensland River Management Program are coherent with these programs.

You will cultivate and extend networks and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and partners relative to the work program and capacity to develop and consolidate new collaborations and projects.

You will represent the Science Division and the Department at meetings and committees on issues concerning the QRMP, consistent with the Government’s vision and priorities.

You will manage and support the effective implementation of government policy and procedures within the work unit to fulfil all obligations under legislation including the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and provide support and commitment for team culture within the Unit and broader Science and Technology Division.

You will foster a workplace culture that supports and promotes the interests of First Nations people and actively engage through our work to contribute to better outcomes for First Nations people.

Promote a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace that is free from bullying, discrimination and harassment.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/686463/26

Closing Date: Monday, 18 May 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 686463 26 Role Description v1 (Word, 610KB)