Sussan Lemon
Camira,QLD
Summary
Experienced environmental professional working in the terrestrial, aquatic and marine fields for 12 years, with experience including the coordination of numerous linear and non-linear infrastructure projects on small to large scale projects, strong environmental planning and assessment skills, writing and reviewing environmental approvals, working with environmental legislation (local, Queensland and federal legislation), including local planning schemes, leading and mentoring junior staff to achieve excellent and compliant environmental outcomes, fostering and maintaining positive relationships with clients from a wide range of disciplines, and report writing.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Ecologist
S5 Environmental
10.2023 - Current
- Assessed environmental impacts of proposed projects for compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Contributed to the development of environmental policies based on scientific understanding of ecological processes.
- Prepared technical reports, presenting findings from field studies, data analysis, and environmental assessments.
- Identified potential threats to ecosystems by analyzing human development patterns within the landscape.
- Improved deliverable quality by mentoring early-career ecologists through practical guidance and professional development opportunities.
- Built strong relationships with customers through positive attitude and attentive response.
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
Environmental Approvals Specialist
Ingauge Energy
09.2023 - 10.2023
- Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
- Assisted in the writing of an Environmental Management Plan to meet environmental legislative requirements.
Associate Environmental Scientist
SMEC
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Responsible for project management for ecology projects
- Coordinating and authoring proposals
- Peer review of environmental reports
- Ensuring project compliance with ecologically relevant legislation.
Principal Ecologist
S5 Environmental
09.2021 - 05.2023
Senior Ecologist/Ecologist
Brisbane City Council
07.2017 - 09.2021
- Applied best practice environmental principals and knowledge of environmental legislation to contribute to sustainable development in Brisbane.
- Supervised and provided on-the-job training to new and junior team members to achieve excellent development outcomes.
- Assessed development applications, rehabilitation plans, vegetation management plans, bushfire risk assessment and management plans, ecological reports against the local planning scheme and provided advice to stakeholders.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships when liaising with clients.
- Drove the review of the protected vegetation permitting process to improve efficiency and consistency. Developed templates to increase efficiency.
Natural Environment Officer
Brisbane City Council
09.2015 - 03.2016
- Developed processes to ensure consistency with the assessment of protected vegetation applications
- Assessed applications for the removal of protected vegetation to ensure compliance with local environmental legislation.
Ecologist
E2M
03.2015 - 06.2015
- Undertook ecological surveys, data analysis and reporting for linear infrastructure to achieve compliance with environmental approvals and legislation
- Utilised GIS software and devices.
Ecologist (contractor)
Greenloaning Biostudies
06.2011 - 02.2015
- Undertook ecological surveys (flora and fauna), data analysis and report writing and review.
Environmental Scientist/Ecologist
AMEC
09.2011 - 12.2014
- Project management and coordination within tight timeframes and budgets
- Established a Graduate Development Forum to create a culture of mentorship within the company
- Streamlined processes by decreasing administration burden involved in project management
- Improved team communication between field and office staff through increased positive communication
- Undertook field surveys and report writing for environmental impact assessments, environmental and species management plans, baseline monitoring, and detailed in-field ecological assessments.
Environmental Advisor (secondment)
Santos
11.2013 - 08.2014
- Lead and mentored a team of ecologists and environmental advisors to ensure the delivery of ecological reports and internal approvals for a large-scale project ahead of schedule
- Improved flexibility for the rig schedule and helped avoid costly delays through effective project management
- Used excellent interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain relationships with clients
- Researched new environmental legislation and presented updates to other team members
- Wrote and reviewed approvals to ensure compliance with relevant environmental management plans, approvals conditions and legislation
- Developed approval and report templates to increase efficiency.
Ecology Research Assistant
The University of Queensland
07.2010 - 05.2011
Education
Bachelor of Marine Studies (First Class Honours) - Biology and Ecology
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane07.2010
Skills
- Building client relationships
- Team Leadership
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Ecological Surveys
- Assessment and Reporting
- Environmental Legislation
Accomplishments
- In 2020 won an award at Brisbane City Council for building positive stakeholder relationships.
- Lead the environment team to deliver environmental approvals ahead of deadlines which improved flexibility for the rig schedule and avoided costly delays for the company.
- Researched and implemented process improvements to improve communication within the ecology team and improve client communication.
Certification
- Driver's License - Queensland Government
- Construction White Card - Queensland Government
- Plant Identification - Queensland Herbarium
- BioCondition training - O2 Ecology
- Regional Ecosystem Verification - O2 Ecology
- Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) Certification - The University of Canberra
- Bushfire Overall Fuel Hazard training – Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium
References
Available on request
Timeline
Principal Ecologist
S5 Environmental
10.2023 - Current
Environmental Approvals Specialist
Ingauge Energy
09.2023 - 10.2023
Associate Environmental Scientist
SMEC
05.2023 - 08.2023
Principal Ecologist
S5 Environmental
09.2021 - 05.2023
Senior Ecologist/Ecologist
Brisbane City Council
07.2017 - 09.2021
Natural Environment Officer
Brisbane City Council
09.2015 - 03.2016
Ecologist
E2M
03.2015 - 06.2015
Environmental Advisor (secondment)
Santos
11.2013 - 08.2014
Environmental Scientist/Ecologist
AMEC
09.2011 - 12.2014
Ecologist (contractor)
Greenloaning Biostudies
06.2011 - 02.2015
Ecology Research Assistant
The University of Queensland
07.2010 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Marine Studies (First Class Honours) - Biology and Ecology
The University of Queensland
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