Principal Health Scientist - Health Impact Assessment

Ongoing/ Full Time position 

Science D.1 $138,631 - $162,076 pa + 12% superannuation 

Location: Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod VIC 3085 

About the Organisation

EPA works to prevent and reduce the harmful effect of pollution and waste on Victoria’s environment and people. We work with community, industry and businesses. As the needs of Victorians change, we must be equipped to adapt and respond to a range of factors.

We are a workplace committed to new ways of working, EPA celebrates diversity of people and lifestyles. We offer a wide range of practical options to support both your work and personal life.

The EPA Experience

· See the impact in the communities we live in: at EPA you see your work first-hand

· Range of internal working groups, networks and volunteering opportunities

· On-the-job training for a wide range of environmental roles

· Flexible start and finish times, as well as compressed work week options

About the role:

You will report to the Deputy Chief Environmental Scientist, Environmental Public Health, the Principal Health Scientist – Health Impact Assessment. You will lead and manage a team responsible for supporting EPA to meet its statutory responsibilities relating to environmental public health, including building an evidence-based understanding of environmental public health risk. You will lead a team that provides expert advice and will stay up to date with the latest evidence, including directing external research addressing gaps in knowledge, aligned to EPA’s strategic priorities to prevent harm to Victorian communities from pollution and waste. You will lead the development of the Health Impact Assessment function to support the integration of public health considerations into EPA’s regulatory decision making. This is a senior management role for an experienced professional with a background in public health or health/social impact assessment or applied epidemiology as it relates to environmental pollution and waste who wants to contribute to the success of the EPA as it enters a new era of environmental protection in Victoria. Working closely with the Deputy Chief Environmental Scientist, Environmental Public Health, you will lead and manage a team through change to ensure a positive organisational culture and ensure the highest standards of performance and integrity are achieved; and foster genuine partnerships across all levels of government, industry, and community to deliver organisational outcomes.

In this role you will:

• Develop and lead the EPA multi-disciplinary technical practice area of health impact assessment to support integration of public health into strategic advice and regulatory decision making, and support EPA in applying these assessments in developing the organisation’s strategic priorities. The lead will mentor and develop the technical growth of the Environmental Public Health Branch. 
• Develop knowledge of current international guidance, standards and processes and emerging issues in environmental public health. 
• Conduct or support rapid and systematic reviews to enable policy development. Prepare timely and high-quality advice, technical reports and briefs on highly complex issues in relation to current and future environmental public health risks, including the provision of options for decision-making within EPA. 
• Lead and manage the health impact assessment team to achieve high standards of performance, accountability, collaboration, ethics, and integrity; manage the allocation of resources, budgets, business and project planning and reporting; and demonstrate a strong commitment to a positive culture and the development of staff. 
• Lead the Unit in building, maintaining, and leveraging strategic relationships and partnerships to ensure that the EPA is a trusted and influential authority in advancing the prevention of harm to the environment and human health from pollution and waste; effectively represent the EPA in the local community and at external forums

Skills and experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in a health science related field or equivalent, with extensive public health data analysis experience. Postgraduate qualifications in public health, health impact assessment, environmental and applied epidemiology or biostatistics related to health impacts of pollution and waste preferred.
• Experience in application and integration of health assessment in environmental regulation e.g. (strategic/sectoral/regional/project) health impact assessment and / or social impact assessment preferred.
• Experience in effectively communicating of human health risk advice in relation to pollution and waste to stakeholders, such as the community, duty holders and government. Ability to effectively manage community feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to implement performance management and development frameworks, manage staff performance, build organisational capability and support individual development objectives; create and promote an environment that appropriately balances teamwork and individual accountability; provides timely, constructive and objective feedback.
• Knowledge of human exposure assessment relevant to the investigation of environmental public health issues related to pollution and waste.

To see the full position description: Click Here

How to apply

Click the ”Apply” button to submit your application. Applications close 11:59pm Thursday, 14 August 2025.

Applicants Should Submit:

· Cover letter; addressing your experience, the key selection criteria, motivations, and suitability to the role.

· Resume; including contact details of two referees. For any enquiries relating to this role, please reach out to careers@epa.vic.gov.au

Need to know more?

All prospective employees will also undergo a National Criminal Record Check prior to an offer of employment. You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including, but not limited to, police checks, reference checks and role related security clearances.

EPA Victoria recognises the value of the diversity, strength, and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as we work with Traditional Owners to care for our environment. We provide a culturally safe and embracing work environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to merit, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We believe our workforce should represent the diversity of the lands upon which we reside; and we actively embrace staff of different abilities, orientations, backgrounds, faiths, and genders.