Principal Scientific Officer

SC Level 4 $146,998 - $157,135 pa (PSCSAA 2024)

Permanent - Full Time

Cannington

2026-06-25 4:00 PM

Principal Scientific Officer

(MIS22022)

Lead asbestos safety across Western Australia, using your scientific expertise to shape regulatory compliance, protect workers, and guide a specialist team.

A permanent appointment is available in our WorkSafe Service Industries and Specialists Directorate located at our Cannington office.

Would you like to work in a genuinely exciting, flexible and friendly work environment? We offer a range of benefits, including flexible working hours and working at home, to help support you and get the best results possible for our community.

We value diversity and appreciate every individual’s perspective, bringing together a diverse and inclusive workforce to drive innovation and success. Whether it is enabling good governance to local communities, regulating racing, gaming and liquor activities, resolving consumer and trade disputes, monitoring compliance, protecting workers’ health and safety, or rolling out new technology to provide better customer service, LGIRS is committed to delivering for the benefit of WA and future generations.

The role

As Principal Scientific Officer, you will lead a specialist team of inspectors delivering asbestos safety outcomes through complex investigations, regulatory enforcement, and the provision of expert technical advice on asbestos matters in the workplace. In this role, you will set clear expectations, support capability development, and promote a positive and professional team culture aligned with the Department’s values and ethical standards.

Drawing on your expertise in regulatory compliance, investigations, and people leadership, you will play a key role in ensuring workplaces meet legislative requirements, improving asbestos safety outcomes, and supporting the Directorate’s strategic priorities through effective planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

Your leadership capability and experience in work health and safety regulation will be central to your success. You will manage team resources, plan and prioritise operational activities, and lead the development of initiatives that align with the Directorate’s Business Plan and broader organisational objectives, while coaching and mentoring staff to perform confidently in a complex regulatory environment.

You will bring expertise in asbestos compliance, legislation and enforcement, together with a strong commitment to developing and sustaining a high‑performing team. Through effective supportive constructive feedback and ongoing professional development, you will foster a positive and inclusive team culture. Your ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders, represent the Department at state and national forums, and provide specialised advice on complex asbestos issues will contribute to strong regulatory practice, improved safety outcomes, and the Department’s commitment to workplace health and safety.

Please refer to the Job Description Form (JDF) attached for further information regarding the position, including any specific requirements, leadership capabilities and pre-employment checks which will be assessed as part of the selection process.

While this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other similar vacancies (permanent, fixed-term, full-time or part-time) within the department for the next 12 months, from the date that the recruitment breach period has been finalised.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a permanent appointment, applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia at the time of application. Applicants with a valid visa to work and live in Australia for a specific duration may be assessed and considered suitable for similar fixed term vacancies that arise.

Should a qualification be required for this position, applicants must provide their certification and/or academic transcripts to verify relevance to the job requirements. Qualifications obtained outside of Australia must be provided with an assessment from the Overseas Qualifications Unit to ensure they meet Australian Standards (this is a free service).

To work for LGIRS, you must consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a clearance before you start. If deemed suitable, LGIRS will coordinate and pay for your NCCHC as part of your pre-employment checks.

More information about eligibility requirements can be found on the Job Description Form.

Further information

Please contact Eve Speyers, Director Service Industries & Specialists on (08) 6251 2272 or via ***email_hidden*** or visit our website. You can also keep up to date on LGIRS achievements and activities by following us on LinkedIn.

How to apply

A detailed resume outlining your key achievements, work history, education and professional development and covering letter of no more than two (2) pages, addressing the following role specific requirements and/or leadership behaviours:

• A Bachelor of Science degree or higher qualification relevant to asbestos safety and/or occupational hygiene.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting very complex investigations relevant to asbestos and/or occupational hygiene in the workplace.
• Demonstrated project and team management experience.

Shortlisted applicants will have their skills and experience in relation to the remaining role specific requirements and leadership behaviours assessed in further stages of the recruitment process. The complete list of role specific requirements and expected leadership behaviours can be found in the attached Job Description Form.

In the attached Applicant Information Pack, we offer further information on how to apply, and the range of incentives offered to employees who work with LGIRS. If you have any questions about employment conditions or the application process, or require any technical support when submitting your application online, please contact Uma Maregouni, Senior Recruitment Officer on (08) 9222 3129 or email [email protected].

To submit your application, click on the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. You will be asked to complete several questions, before attaching your resume and covering letter .

This role is identified as having a higher likelihood of exposure to potentially traumatic events. This is any distressing experience or situation in which an individual’s physical or psychological wellbeing may be threatened. This could involve attending or investigating safety incidents or fatalities, interacting with affected, distressed and/or aggressive people, and exposure to objectionable material such as records containing potentially traumatic content.

The department has specific Potentially Traumatic Event Response Support processes and training available for this role. If you have any questions or would like further clarification about the nature of this position and the supports available, please contact Eve Speyers, Director Service Industries & Specialists on (08) 6251 2272.

Supporting diversity and inclusion

The department is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive workplace. That’s why championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our department. Our department is an equal opportunity employer, supported by the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA), preference may be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people of diverse sexualities and youth.

We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2023-2024 by Diversity Council Australia. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on:

• TTY/voice calls – 133 677
• Speak & Listen – 1300 555 727
• SMS relay – 0423 677 767

If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact us at [email protected].

CLOSING DATE: 4.00 pm on Thursday , 25 June 2026 (WST)

Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to lodge your application online as late applications will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure your application is submitted on time.

We look forward to receiving your application and considering you for this exciting opportunity to join our team.

Attachments

Job Description Form