Principal Advisor, Sustainability and Asset Planning

Lead sustainability and strategic asset planning initiatives for the Department for Correctional Services (DCS), driving environmental responsibility and operational excellence across South Australia's correctional infrastructure, on a 24-month fixed-term contract.

About The Company

The Department for Correctional Services (DCS) plays a vital role in South Australia's justice system, managing correctional facilities and community-based programs to ensure safe, secure, and efficient operations. DCS is committed to sustainability, climate resilience, and continuous improvement in infrastructure and asset management.

Role Overview

As Principal Advisor – Sustainability & Asset Planning, you will provide expert leadership in embedding sustainability principles into DCS's operations and long-term infrastructure planning. Reporting to the Director, Infrastructure & Safety Systems, this role influences major capital projects, develops sustainability frameworks, and ensures alignment with South Australia's Climate Change Action Plan and DCS's Strategic Asset Management Framework.

About the Person

You are a strategic thinker with proven experience in sustainability and asset planning within complex service environments. You thrive on collaboration, can navigate government frameworks, and have the ability to translate sustainability objectives into actionable plans that deliver measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the integration of sustainability principles into strategic and operational planning.
• Develop and implement sustainability frameworks, policies, and reporting mechanisms.
• Provide expert input into capital works and lifecycle asset planning.
• Align infrastructure projects with decarbonisation targets and climate resilience objectives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to embed sustainability across DCS operations.
• Maintain compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and government frameworks (e.g., ISO 55001, PC114).

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrated leadership in sustainability and asset planning programs.
• Strong knowledge of asset management principles and practices, including lifecycle planning, criticality assessment, and integration of sustainability and climate resilience into long-term asset strategies.
• Advanced project and program management skills, including risk and financial tracking.
• Familiarity with government procurement processes and sustainability reporting frameworks.
• Essential experience in government or public sector environments is required.
• Ability to develop dashboards and reporting tools for executive decision-making.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• General knowledge of personnel management principles under the Public Sector Act, Work Health & Safety Act, and the Equal Opportunity Act.
• General knowledge of DCS organisational structure and the South Australian Justice system.
• Desirable: Qualifications in asset management, climate policy, infrastructure planning, or related disciplines.

Special Conditions

• The incumbent is required to satisfactorily complete a National Criminal History Check
• A current South Australian Driver's Licence is essential
• A flexible approach to working hours is required
• Some interstate and intrastate travel will be required which may necessitate overnight absences.

For more information, please contact:

Lazette Cahill - lazette.cahill@harrisonmcmillan.com.au

Tammy Anderson - tammy.anderson@harrisonmcmillan.com.au

Please note – all applicant resumes must be submitted in Word format only.