APS6 - Data Scientist, New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Regulator

The opportunity we have available

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) aims to reduce passenger vehicle emissions by encouraging companies to supply more zero- and low-emissions vehicles to Australia. The Standard works by setting fleet-wide emissions targets for each supplier. Companies that beat their target in a given year can receive units to trade with other suppliers that have exceeded their target. The target becomes more stringent over time.

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) Regulator sits within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and is responsible for administering the NVES. Our vision is for a regulator that is informative, trusted and credible, and engaged. Currently, we consist of 4 sections:

• Regulatory Operations: monitoring regulated entity emissions performance against their target, managing the NVES Unit Registry, and coordinating compliance and enforcement action as appropriate.
• Business Systems Design: building the IT systems that underpin our regulatory operations and support industry to comply with their legislative obligations.
• Governance and Communications: producing communications products and engagement activities to support regulated entity compliance and broader stakeholder understanding of the NVES. 
• Program Management Office (PMO): serves as a centralized hub for overseeing and coordinating program management activities within an the NVES Implementation Program.

By joining the NVES Regulator, you will be doing meaningful work that supports economic, health and environmental outcomes for Australians.

What you will do

We have a position available for a Data Scientist (APS6) to join the NVES Regulator. The Data Scientist provides specialist advice and support to the regulatory operations team, directly contributing to the delivery of intelligence and assurance functions. In this role you will apply data-driven methods and insights to inform and manage risk, support evidence-based decision making, and continuously improve processes and systems that underpin day-to-day monitoring, reporting and compliance activities. The successful candidate will demonstrate a proactive attitude, a curious mind and a commitment to ongoing development of domain knowledge and data skills.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Contribute to data quality assurance: Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of processes to maintain data integrity across NVES regulatory operations. Perform data validation and quality checks to ensure accuracy, consistency and completeness.
• Support IT design and testing: Assist in defining business and data requirements for NVES IT systems, and participate in user testing, to ensure data and systems are fit for purpose for regulatory staff and regulated entities.
• Data collection and analysis: Collect, clean, curate and analyse structured and unstructured datasets using tools such as Power BI, Excel, Python/R, and SQL to generate insights for regulatory decision-making.
• Modelling and anomaly detection: Develop and maintain statistical and machine learning models and processes to identify anomalies and trigger correction workflows.  
• Data products and reporting: Develop and maintain interactive dashboards and other data products to support routine monitoring and reporting.
• Process improvement: Collaborate with business areas to design, implement and refine processes for investigating and resolving data issues.
• Stakeholder insights: Present data-driven insights to team, leadership and broader stakeholders to inform engagement, compliance and enforcement strategies, and policy development.
• Domain knowledge and advice: Acquire and apply domain knowledge relevant to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard to ensure accurate data interpretation and analysis.
• Communications and engagement: Contribute to communication and engagement activities that build trust and confidence in the NVES regulatory framework.
• Specialist advice and professional development: Maintain awareness of and provide advice relating to emerging trends, technologies and practices in business intelligence and data science.

Inherent requirements for the role

We are looking for people who have: 

• Prior experience in a data science or analytics role, with a practical understanding of the full data science lifecycle.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in Azure Databricks, Power BI and Python programming, with the ability to develop, maintain and optimise data processing, analytics and reporting solutions.
• Experience applying government data standards and secure data handling practices within a data governance framework.
• Strong communication skills with ability to translate complex data insights into clear narratives and actionable outcomes.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team, and engage with a range of stakeholders including operations staff, executive leadership, IT teams, and external partners.

Desirable requirements

Data science qualifications are highly desirable however candidates with 3+ years experience aligned to the above requirements are welcome to apply. 

An understanding of, or experience in an automotive or environmental sector will be advantageous. 

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an APS6 you will be expected to:

• Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
• Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
• Communicate respectfully and seeks appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for and how to apply, please refer to the position description available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Our work connects and enriches every Australian community, underpins our economy and society, and empowers our regions. We provide policy advice and deliver programs, projects and services in the infrastructure, transport, communications, sport and arts sectors, supporting our regions, cities and territories. Our staff have the opportunity to work on high profile and diverse national projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of all Australians. We seek people with a wide range of skills and competencies. Whether you write policy, deliver programs, projects or corporate services, or have experience in research, data or technology, we look for employees who are innovative, respectful and professional. We are an inclusive employer and promote, value and support diversity among our employees with the aim of ensuring our workforce reflects, respects and benefits from diverse communities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people. We are committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.