Deputy Secretary, Environment Policy and Program Group

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is responsible for protecting and restoring Australia’s environment, heritage and water resources and for the delivery of the Government’s climate change and energy agenda. Supporting climate mitigation and adaptation, ensuring energy security, affordability and transformation to clean energy, maintaining a healthy environment and protecting our cultural heritage underpins the future of our community and the success of Australia’s economy in the coming decades.

Our vision is: An Australia that is prosperous because its sustainable, with community and Country at the heart of our actions and our purpose is: To think ahead and act now – to protect the environment and secure prosperity.

For more information about us please visit our website.

The job

As Deputy Secretary, you will exercise delegated authority from the Secretary to lead nationally significant policy, regulatory and program responsibilities with material economic, environmental and societal impact.

You will operate as a strategic partner to the Secretary and Ministers, providing frank, fearless and solutions focused advice on complex, high risk and politically sensitive issues, and acting as a trusted delegate as required. You will lead a team with significant delivery responsibilities, influence Cabinet level decision-making and drive whole of government coordination across portfolios, jurisdictions and international counterparts.

As a member of the Department’s Executive Board, you will contribute to APS and departmental stewardship, leading culture, capability and performance across large and complex systems

Deputy Secretaries are expected to bring a strong understanding of First Nations policy and program design, with an insight into how First Nations expertise and engagement can drive better outcomes for our department. This includes working in a culturally sensitive manner with our staff, and externally with our partners.

Representation is critical at senior levels, and we strongly encourage First Nations people to apply for our positions.

Your roles and responsibilities are aligned to SES Band 3 Work Level Standards and the Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours (DRIVE).

To be successful, you will demonstrate:

• Leadership and Strategic Impact: Demonstrated ability to set and sustain long term strategic direction for large, complex systems with national or systemwide impact.
• Program and Reform Delivery: Proven accountability for delivering outcomes through major reforms or programs where failure would carry significant political, environmental, economic or reputational risk.
• Policy Creativity: A demonstrated ability to connect cross cutting themes, create alignment of effort and capability to attain outcomes, leverage non-government contributions and enlist the support of partners.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional credibility with Ministers, Secretaries, central agencies, state counterparts, environmental stakeholders and international counterparts.
• Portfolio Expertise: Deep understanding of environment, heritage, planning or related policy domains and the credibility to influence.
• Organisational Capability: Track record of building leadership capability, culture and performance across large, diverse and geographically dispersed workforces.
• Governance and Risk Management: Expert judgement in managing public sector risk, legislative obligations and financial stewardship at scale.
• Professionalism and Integrity: Highly developed judgement, integrity, and professionalism consistent with APS SES expectations.

Desirable qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in a discipline relevant to the role, or equivalent professional experience.
• Deep subject matter expertise in one or more relevant areas, including for example, planning, environment and heritage.

Eligibility and other requirements

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Negative Vetting Level 2 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

Applications close at 11:30 pm AEST on Wednesday 15 April 2026