He is currently on contract as Chief Scientific Advisor for the Resources Infrastructure and Investment Task Force of Department of Energy and Mining.
Thomas previously held positions of Chief of Aquatic Sciences and Sustainable Systems at the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI), Chief Executive of the Department for Water Resources and Executive Director of the Environment Protection Authority.
[2] Thomas was appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for the Olympic Dam Task Force now RIITF in April 2011.
This role has seen him advise the Government of South Australia on environmental strategy for complex mining and mineral processing projects including the proposed Olympic Dam mine expansion, the Nyrstar Port Pirie Smelter Transformation, the Whyalla Steelworks, and the Dry Creek Salt Field transformation project.
[2] Thomas was the Manager of Marine and Environmental Studies at Kinhill Engineers for ten years prior to his entry into the public service.