Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Advisor - Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC)

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Great opportunity to support safety at a unique operational site
• Apply your HSE skills across construction, industrial and technical environments
• Join our team to drive proactive safety outcomes at CDSCC!

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity 

The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) plays a vital role in supporting NASA’s deep space missions, operating within a highly technical and high‑risk environment. As the HSE Advisor, you will work closely with the CDSCC Director, the other site‑based HSE Advisor, and CSIRO’s broader HSE function to strengthen safety leadership and support safe operations across this iconic facility.

In this practical, hands‑on role, you will draw on your experience in construction, industrial or similarly high‑risk operational settings to provide targeted HSE guidance, support and oversight. You will cultivate strong relationships with staff, contractors and partner organisations, helping the site understand and apply CSIRO’s HSE management system (DoneSafe) and meet both organisational and site‑specific requirements.

With your ability to anticipate issues and respond to changing circumstances, you will lead and review risk assessments, support contractor management, monitor and test emergency plans, conduct audits, lead investigations, and analyse HSE data to drive continuous improvement. This role requires confidence working in environments such as confined spaces, at heights, or within complex technical infrastructure – and a willingness to undertake physical work as part of general operations.

Operating as a key member of the CDSCC and Space & Astronomy HSE team, you will partner closely with internal leaders, technical teams, external regulators and collaborative organisations to ensure compliance, strengthen site safety culture and support operational excellence.

If you’re motivated by helping people work safely in demanding environments, enjoy solving practical HSE challenges, and are ready to contribute to a mission‑critical national facility, this would be an exciting, ongoing opportunity, and we would love to hear from you! 

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Ensuring currency and application of the CDSCC Site Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) and advising on improvement initiatives.
• Supporting the implementation of CSIRO’s HSE plan through the planning and delivery of priority HSE activities and initiatives.
• Contributing to HSE projects and influencing continual HSE improvement across the organisation.
• Promoting and driving a pro-active, positive and high performing safety culture by being visible across the site, and building and maintaining relationships with internal and external teams.
• Facilitating and assisting in risk management processes including risk assessments, safe work method statements and safe work instructions and making recommendations for reducing risk exposure.
• Undertaking workplace inspections, including an ability to climb the antenna at CDSCC, and reporting findings using CSIRO’s Health and Safety Management System and in accordance with documented procedures.
• Developing and reviewing policies, procedures, systems and making recommendations to guide management decisions.
• Reporting, investigating and managing hazards and incidents in accordance with organisational procedures and statutory requirements.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Site based role at Tidbinbilla – Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC), ACT

Salary: AU$97K – AU$126K per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus 15.4% superannuation + Tracking Station Allowance of $133.81 per week (pro-rata for part-time)

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time (preferred) or Part-time (0.9 FTE) may be considered – CDSCC offers a 9-day fortnight (RDO) working model to staff. We may also consider other options for part-time and flexible work arrangements based on needs of the role and individual circumstances.

Reference: 102299

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Diploma in a Work Health and Safety related disciplines such as OHS, Environmental Management, Risk Management, or similar.
• Demonstrated relevant experience in a HSE advisor or environmental management role within industrial or construction organisations.
• Proven ability to determine stakeholder priorities, translate into actionable goals and targets, and take accountability for the delivery and implementation of strategies to improve HSE.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and build trusting relationships through coaching.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating respect, collaboration, trust, and the ability to listen and find common ground.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret Standards and Regulations relating to HSE and quality systems, and exposure to HSE hazard management and improvement programs.

For full details about this role, please review the Position Description. 

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you.

 

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents who are able to meet the US Export Administration Regulation requirements (eligibility to be determined).

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

This is predominantly a site-based role, and therefore, the successful candidate requires the ability to travel to, and work from, the CDSCC at Tidbinbilla, ACT. The successful candidate may be eligible for group transport to & from site, within a defined Canberra region. As this site works directly with NASA and JPL, the successful candidate will be required to obtain an Export Administration Regulations (EAR) clearance/approval, to perform the inherent requirements of the position.

Also, due to the specific duties and/or conditions associated with this role, the preferred candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

How to apply 

Please apply online, and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close 

22 February 2026, 11:00pm AEDT

We strongly encourage early applications as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to close the advertising early if we find our desired candidate.