laura hewitt

While working on secondment, my role included managing project requirements in line with approved Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), including conditions, management plans, project commitments and approvals/permits. Additionally, I prepared documentation including development approval applications and environmental management plans etc.

While working on secondment to the Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance I provided environmental and statutory approvals input from the design to delivery phase of multiple water and wastewater projects. I also managed onsite environmental compliance and conducted regular construction site and restoration inspections.

I held two concurrent roles on a large rail infrastructure project, assisting with environmental services and financial administration of the project. I completed desktop and field environmental assessments, report writing and environmental database searches. I also audited contractors environmental documentation and management plans.

I was contracted as an Administrative Assistant to cover vacation leave. I was in charge of the distribution of manuals for the fire weather and hydrology equipment. I assisted with accounts payable and receivable. I answered all incoming calls and helped to answer client questions and redirected calls to the appropriate location.

As part of my degree I was to undertake the Industrial Affiliates Program and I was placed at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Brisbane. I was to conduct an independent literature review on behalf of the department to determine the full environmental benefits of natural turfgrass. I reviewed over 100 journal articles for this project and wrote a report which was given to DAFF and was also used by the Turfgrass Association of Australia. For my project I was awarded the Griffith University Outstanding Contribution Award for a significant contribution to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Queensland.

My role included updating and reviewing environmental management system documents, policies and procedures as well as completing water quality reporting and undertaking field surveys/inspections of offset areas. I also undertook a desktop review of potential climate change impacts on Sunwater's infrastructure/business and proposed recommendations.

I was initially contracted as a Project Support Officer to the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Project with TRANSLINK (Department of Transport and Main Roads) but I was quickly promoted to a Senior Finance Officer. I have two roles on this project, assisting with the financial administration of the project and the environmental services team. Within finance, I complete project financial reporting (RPM, SAP), financial approvals (FAP), raising purchase orders, requisitions (SAP) and processing invoices and record-keeping (DMS). As an Assistant Environmental and Planning Officer assisting the Environmental and Planning Advisor with report writing (Environmental Scoping, Cultural Heritage Risk Assessments etc.), database searches (EPBC Protected Matters, Wildlife Online etc.) site surveys (ecology and contaminated land) and GIS mapping (MapInfo). I also attend meetings with project proponents and help with environmental audits.

* Undertaking environmental constraints analysis (desktop constraints identification and analysis) * Writing reports (including environmental scoping; Review of Environmental Factors (REF) reports; socio-economic impact assessment reports and cultural heritage risk assessments) * Conducting database searches * Reviewing environmental legislation and obtaining relevant environmental approvals * Mapping using GIS (geographic information systems).

Several of my achievements in undertaking my study were: 2012: Griffith University Award for Academic Excellence 2012 (GPA of 6.00 or higher). 2012: Griffith University Outstanding Contribution Award for a significant contribution to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Queensland. 2012: Griffith School of Environment, Head of School Commendation for High Achievement (GPA of 6.00 or higher). 2011: Mentee in the Griffith University Industry Mentoring Program 2011 with the Department of Environment, Resources and Mines (DERM). Main courses I took included: environmental science, economics, climate change, policy, sustainability, sustainable development, law and planning.

2015: Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2015 (GPA of 6.00 or higher - top 5% of students)