• Join a team that’s redefining building sustainability across NSW
• Ongoing full-time (35 hours per week) opportunities
• Office location – Parramatta with flexible working supported by the Working Flexibly Policy
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $113,574 to $125,720+ super

ABOUT US

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.
We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

THE ROLE

The Department is recruiting two Project Officer roles in the BASIX Teams within the Resilience and Sustainability Division, including:

• Project Officer – Customer Support in the BASIX Operations team
• Project Officer – Technical Policy in the BASIX Policy team

The BASIX Policy and BASIX Operations teams work collaboratively to drive sustainability in new homes through the delivery, reform, and improvement of the BASIX framework and online tool. The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use and energy use in new residential developments.
The Project Officer – Customer Support will provide direct support to customers who are navigating the BASIX process and system, as well as triage and assign cases to relevant team members. They will provide technical support to guide customers and provide advice to the BASIX team on how to improve the BASIX framework and tool. This role will also provide training and mentoring to new staff on processes and requirements for customer support and prepare training materials as necessary. This role will suit a candidate who is customer focused and willing to get to the bottom of a problem and identify the best way to resolve it. An interest in ongoing professional improvement within the role is important.
The Project Officer – Technical Policy will research, analyse and evaluate emerging policy issues in the building sustainability space, including residential thermal performance, water use, energy use, and building materials. A core component of this role will involve data analysis, scenario testing, working with mathematical models in the form of Excel algorithms and providing high level technical advice to inform policy options that contribute to shaping the future of the BASIX framework and tool. This role will work with a range of internal and external stakeholders on exciting projects such as the triennial review of the Sustainable Buildings State Environmental Planning Policy, the new Net Zero Plan, and disclosure of home energy ratings. The role will also provide direct customer support to BASIX users on technical or policy issues as needed.
Both roles will work with internal and external stakeholders, including expert team members, consultants and other government agencies to identify solutions to complex problems.
The challenge lies in juggling tight timeframes, competing demands, and stakeholder expectations—while still delivering high-quality, evidence-based work. Whether working across teams or consulting with external partners, the job demands clarity, collaboration and a cool head under pressure.

PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR COVER LETTER WHICH ROLE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR.

Please note that a recruitment pool will be created to fill multiple similar positions across the Division.
For more information read the full Role Description: Position title

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

Project Officer – Customer Support:

• Skilled in translating complex technical information or processes into plain English that supports clear instructions to customers. Communicating simply and effectively, whilst maintaining a calm demeanour even when dealing with an unhappy customer.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain practical guidance material —demonstrated by delivering high-quality documentation of internal systems and processes, considering user needs.
• Experienced in building strong relationships across government, community and external consultants—driving consultation, negotiation and collaboration that ensures diverse perspectives are incorporated into work outputs
• Adept at applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation skills to assess emerging issues, and formulate forward-thinking solutions under pressure and competing priorities
• Strong project management and time management capability to support customers as well as manage team administration tasks —balancing deadlines, resource constraints, and performance outcomes to deliver results in dynamic environments

Project Officer – Technical Policy:

• Proven ability to develop well-researched and practical policy advice aligned with government priorities—demonstrated by delivering high-quality, evidence-informed recommendations with consideration of stakeholder needs
• Skilled in data analysis and translating complex technical and planning information into plain English that supports clear decision-making, from briefing notes to stakeholder correspondence and Ministerial advice
• Proficient in mathematical modelling and Excel algorithms, ideally related to predicting water use, thermal performance and greenhouse gas emissions of residential buildings
• Adept at applying qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess emerging issues, evaluate policy effectiveness, and formulate forward-thinking solutions under pressure and competing priorities
• Good time management and organisation skills to support the Manager and team manage projects, consultants and deliverables in a high-pressure environment.