Application Guide

How to Apply for Consultant - Planning and Approvals

at Environmental Resources Management

🏢 About Environmental Resources Management

ERM is a global leader in sustainability consulting with a unique focus on accelerating the transition to low-carbon futures and advancing ESG priorities worldwide. Unlike general environmental consultancies, ERM operates at the strategic level, enabling clients to navigate complex sustainability challenges across multiple jurisdictions. Working here offers exposure to high-impact projects and collaboration with international experts in a purpose-driven environment.

About This Role

This Consultant role focuses on leading and supporting environmental approvals across power, infrastructure, government/defense, mining, and manufacturing sectors in Australia. You'll work across Commonwealth, State, and local jurisdictions, directly contributing to decarbonization efforts and large-scale renewable energy projects. The position combines technical approvals work with client relationship development and proposal writing, making it impactful for both project delivery and business growth.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing NSW planning regulations for a renewable energy project, collaborating with ERM's global practitioners on a multi-disciplinary team, and developing technical scopes for new proposals. You could spend mornings on client meetings for infrastructure approvals and afternoons working on decarbonization strategy documents for manufacturing sector clients.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Environmental Resources Management Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of specific experience with NSW environmental/planning approvals processes, preferably with State Significant Development (SSD) experience
  • Possesses consulting experience in power, infrastructure, government/defense, mining, or manufacturing sectors, not just general environmental work
  • Demonstrates strong project management capabilities alongside technical approvals expertise, able to handle both execution and proposal development
  • Shows alignment with ERM's global sustainability mission, particularly in decarbonization and renewable energy project support

📝 Tips for Applying to Environmental Resources Management

1

Quantify your approvals experience by specifying the number and types of projects you've worked on in NSW jurisdictions

2

Highlight any State Significant Development (SSD) experience prominently in your resume, as this is specifically mentioned as desirable

3

Demonstrate understanding of ERM's global sustainability focus by connecting your experience to low-carbon transitions or ESG priorities

4

Include specific examples of collaborating in multi-disciplinary teams, as this is emphasized in the job description

5

Show how you've contributed to proposal development or cost estimates, not just project execution

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Connect your NSW approvals experience directly to the sectors mentioned (power, infrastructure, government/defense, mining, manufacturing)', "Demonstrate understanding of ERM's strategic sustainability consulting approach versus general environmental work", 'Provide specific examples of managing approvals across multiple jurisdictions (Commonwealth, State, local)', 'Show enthusiasm for contributing to decarbonization efforts and renewable energy projects specifically']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → ERM's specific projects in Australia's renewable energy and decarbonization sectors
  • → The company's global ESG priorities and how they translate to Australian operations
  • → Recent changes to NSW planning approvals processes, particularly for State Significant Developments
  • → ERM's multi-disciplinary approach and how different service lines collaborate on projects

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience with NSW environmental approvals processes, particularly for State Significant Developments
2 How have you managed approvals across different jurisdictions (Commonwealth, State, local) simultaneously?
3 Describe a time you contributed to proposal development or cost estimates for environmental approvals projects
4 How do you stay current with evolving environmental regulations in Australia's power and infrastructure sectors?
5 What experience do you have collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams on complex environmental projects?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting generic environmental experience without specific NSW approvals expertise
  • Focusing only on technical skills without demonstrating consulting/client relationship abilities
  • Showing limited understanding of how approvals work differs across Commonwealth, State, and local jurisdictions

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Environmental Resources Management!

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