Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 832650
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Role:
The Principal Policy Officer, Animal Welfare and Wildlife takes a leadership role in developing policy for advancing the wildlife sector and wildlife welfare for the future. This role will give you the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of the new Biodiversity Act and changes to the Animal Welfare Act and lead the process of wildlife and animal welfare regulation and management across the state. In this role your research and critical thinking skills will be vital for identify emerging issues and analysing risks, and initiating, developing and delivering projects and policies to manage those risks. Your policy leadership experience, ability to make balanced and practical judgements backed by evidence, will position you to contribute to setting the direction for the management of wildlife in immediate emergencies and for the future.
You will lead engagement and consultation processes in relation to policy and regulatory change with stakeholders from industry, wildlife permit holders, animal welfare groups and other Australian jurisdictions. Your ability to navigate disparate views, challenging questions and hold conversations on sensitive matters with a wide range of stakeholders, while maintaining a professional stance will be the key to your success. This role requires you to have a self-aware approach, where you know and can manage your own values and processes for dealing with challenging material to meet the challenges of managing wildlife and welfare.

What can we offer you!

• Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia!
• Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance.
• Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
• Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: 
Ongoing

Desirable Qualifications:
A degree or post graduate qualification in natural resource management, animal welfare or community management related disciplines.

Special Conditions:

• May be required to participate in responses to state emergencies or associated duties.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
• Prior to being employed, the successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police Check.
• May be required to undertake intra or interstate travel, occasional overnight absences, and work outside of the normal hours of work.

Remuneration: 
ASO7, $108,109 min - $116,864 max p.a.

Enquiries to:
Toni Dalziel, Manager Animal Welfare and Wildlife
toni.dalziel@sa.gov.au
0427 219 273

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages) addressing the Essential Criteria (including qualifications) as outlined in the Role Description.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 18/02/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- RD ASO7 Principal Policy Officer Animal Welfare and Wildlife - Nov 2025.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.