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Viviana Gamboa Pickering

from love of animals to Environmental Marine Advisor
I visit marine infrastructure and create reports on how to reduce harmful impacts
Industry
Agriculture and Fisheries, Transport, Logistics and Warehousing
Company
Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Government
Job Level
Senior
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Ask me about

  • How work experience furthed my interest in this role
  • The varied places I get to work in

About me

  • International Experience
  • Regional Background

Ever since my family and I can remember, I was always chasing after anything alive that moved and was running around in nature. I had this insatiable urge to be close to animals and would watch them for hours. Not being allowed to have pets while growing up fuelled my desire even more to find a career with animals and the environment.

My selection of subjects through school was done to best align with taking natural sciences and ecology in university, and then the same for getting a job. From year 10, I commenced looking for work experience in anything I could that would align with my loves for being in nature and observing animals.

I did contract jobs for universities working on marine research stations for a few years and eventually I ended up working for the Queensland Government. My various roles have taken me all around the state, and now after 17 years, I find I still love working in the marine safety field. Doing what you love – not too shabby!

About my role

  • Curious
  • Disciplined
  • Humorous
  • Passionate
  • Personable

An environmental marine officer or advisor within the marine field is a person that predominantly gives advice to other sections of the organisation on any type of environmental management or matters.

This could be in the form of what environmental controls may be needed to use in construction jobs, give advice on design and planning of delivery of marine infrastructure such as pontoons, boat ramps, jetties), acquiring environmental permits and approvals according to legislation, and making sure that the organisation follows best-practice environmental protocols when doing business.

This may be in the form of doing audits, reports, implementing management plans or helping out on site.

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Education

  • Bachelor of Environmental Science – dual degree in Ecology & Marine Biology (with Honours)
  • Diploma in Project Management
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
  • Diploma in Project Management

Subjects

  • Biology
  • General Mathematics (Maths A)
  • Marine Science
  • Science in Practice

Awards

  • CUBIE Winner – Natural Disaster Program – Team
  • CUBIE Nomination ‐ Customers First Category – Nominated by Principal Engineer from Program Delivery and Operations
  • Transport and Main Road Excellence Awards ‐ WINNER (Green category) Koala Retrofit Project

Hobbies

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Motorbike riding
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Travel

15 year old me!!

“Don't shy away from being the ongoing, consistent flea inside a manager or team leader's ear, whispering to them when you truly believe you have a good idea. Passion and consistency will get you good results that you can be proud of.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Made a shift from terrestrial to marine
  2. Left a workplace due to workplace bullying
  3. Decided not to have kids
  4. Undertook work experience / volunteering
  5. Completed further study outside my direct chosen field

My employer

The Department of Transport and Main Roads moves and connects people, places, goods and services safely, efficiently and effectively across Queensland. We plan, manage and deliver Queensland's integrated transport environment to achieve sustainable transport solutions for road, rail, air and sea. Our vision is to create a single integrated transport network accessible to everyone. As part of the Queensland Government, we are committed to building a diverse workforce that represents the community we serve.