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.

Students Book Here

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.

Made a shift from terrestrial to marine
Left a workplace due to workplace bullying
Decided not to have kids
Undertook work experience / volunteering
Completed further study outside my direct chosen field

My typical day

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.