Senior Land Access Specialist

Senior Land Access Specialist – Permanent Full Time – Perth CBD

Ready to make a real impact across Western Australia’s energy landscape? Join our Social Performance and Approvals team and help shape the future of sustainable infrastructure.

Western Power is preparing the electricity network to support industry and the community as WA progresses towards net zero emissions by 2050.  A critical step in achieving this is transforming the existing network to support large-scale renewable energy generation needed to enable this extraordinary transition.  

As we grow a dedicated team to achieve these outcomes, we’re on the lookout for a Senior Land Access Specialist to help us develop and maintain relationships with landowners and communities impacted by transmission projects. You will play a pivotal role in securing access to private and public land for the placement and construction of major infrastructure assets and will bring deep subject matter knowledge, including consultation, document control, negotiation and exceptional interpersonal skills to ensure smooth project delivery.

Your Role in Action  

• Provide subject matter expertise in relation to sustainable asset positions and land access agreements required to facilitate network management.
• Manage relationships with landowners impacted by placement of major infrastructure including, but not limited to, transmission lines, significant distribution lines, communications towers and substations.
• Consult and coordinate internal technical and subject matter expertise needed to draft and provide land access and approvals advice to other areas of the business.
• Undertake conflict resolution activities to minimise escalation, facilitate works delivery and improve corporate reputation.
• Contribute to the delivery of asset placement options reports including outlining opportunities, constraints and likely landowner approval requirements in relation to land access.
• Drive and influence improvements to easement, land access and statutory approval strategies.
• Identify and raise the requirements to obtain asset and/or access easements to ensure ongoing access to network assets for construction, maintenance and deliver asset security.
• Define access installation and works remediation scopes for major projects, and complete compliance checks, to ensure delivery in line with negotiated conditions.
• Mentor, provide support and guidance to specialists in respect to land access and approvals and associated technical responsibilities.

 What Makes You a Great Fit 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, Law, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field — or extensive relevant experience
• Extensive previous experience within a position dealing with land access, easements or related issues
• Extensive experience in extracting and analysing data sets across multiple information domains (eg. customer data and asset data) whilst managing data quality issues.
• Extensive experience in performing analysis within geospatial applications and managing that information for future reference.
• Extensive knowledge of linear infrastructure and associated systems
• Sound understanding of the legislation that governs access to land and the process of securing easements, preferably within a utility.
• Highly developed communication and listening skills with a proven conflict resolution skills.
• Strong technical negotiation skills and ability to influence key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision to strict deadlines.
• Ability to identify, manage and escalate risks and issues, specific to the position.
• Sound knowledge and experience in the area of community consultation including speaking in public forums where stakeholders have opposing interests including understanding of environmental obligations.
• Knowledge of construction, maintenance and operational field practices.
• Valid WA Driver’s License Calss ‘C’ or ‘C-A’

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including: 

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements. 
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year. 
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership. 
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme. 
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.  
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year.
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists.

Applications close 2nd September

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Find out more about our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. 

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au) 

Find out how we’re building A Network for Life: A network for life (westernpower.com.au) 

This position is responsible for securing access to private and public land to facilitate asset placement and construction of major infrastructure through consultation and negotiation with community stakeholders, regulators and private landowners.