Water & Wastewater Operations Lead

Water & Wastewater Operations Lead

Water & Wastewater Operations Lead
Cowra Council | Cowra, NSW

$114,359–$128,712 + super | 35-hour week | Nine-day fortnight

Cowra Council is seeking a Water & Wastewater Operations Lead to lead its water and wastewater reticulation services.

This is a broad technical leadership role spanning network operations, asset planning, customer service, development assessment and the delivery of renewal and improvement works.

Reporting to the Manager - Cowra Works, you'll provide leadership through an experienced Supervisor and two gangers, supporting a wider team of eight water and wastewater attendants.

Council is open to qualified engineers and experienced water-sector professionals with strong practical knowledge of reticulation systems. Local Government experience is valued, but relevant experience from utilities, contractors and other technical environments will also be considered.

The Opportunity
This role combines operational leadership, technical problem-solving and long-term planning across Cowra's water and wastewater networks.

You'll oversee reticulation operations, support responses to faults and customer issues, assess water and wastewater components of development applications, and contribute to renewal programs including water main replacement and wastewater relining.

With a significant residential subdivision under assessment and continued regional growth, you'll also help Council understand network capacity, plan future upgrades and maintain reliable services for the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operation and maintenance of Council's water and wastewater reticulation systems.
• Provide direction and support to the Supervisor, gangers and operational team.
• Support network modelling, capacity assessments and planning for future upgrades.
• Assess developers' civil plans and drawings against relevant standards and Council policies.
• Help develop and deliver asset renewal programs, including water main replacement and wastewater relining.
• Oversee customer enquiries, emergency work and unscheduled network issues.
• Contribute to tenders, contractor management, strategic planning and asset management activities.
• Drive continuous improvement in service quality, safety, performance and customer outcomes.

About You
This role would suit a Civil Engineer, Water & Wastewater Engineer, network specialist or experienced technical operations leader ready to take broader responsibility for an essential community service.

You may already be working in Local Government or a utility, or bring transferable experience from a contractor, consultancy or technical operations environment.

You will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in engineering or a relevant technical discipline, or substantial practical water and wastewater experience.
• Strong knowledge of water and wastewater reticulation, pumping and network operations.
• Sound judgement and the ability to resolve operational and technical problems autonomously.
• Experience leading operational staff, supervisors, contractors or multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with residents, developers and internal stakeholders.
• Understanding of asset planning, renewals, relevant standards and regulatory requirements.
• Current Class C Driver Licence.

Experience within Local Government and exposure to development assessment or network modelling will be advantageous.

Why Cowra?
Cowra Council offers the opportunity to work closely with the community and see the direct impact of your decisions across an essential public service.

You'll inherit an experienced and committed operational team with strong local knowledge, while working alongside internal project, asset and technical specialists and receiving support from organisations including NSW Public Works.

Cowra provides an affordable regional lifestyle, strong schooling and community facilities, with Orange, Bathurst and Young within reach. It is well suited to professionals seeking greater responsibility, work-life balance and the opportunity to build a life in regional NSW.

Benefits

• Salary of $114,359 - $128,712 plus super.
• Permanent full-time position.
• 35-hour working week with a nine-day fortnight.
• Relocation assistance covering up to two-thirds of eligible relocation costs.
• Professional development and support to grow your leadership capability.
• Experienced operational team and broad technical support.
• Affordable regional lifestyle with visible community impact.

How to Apply
Public Sector People is managing this recruitment process on behalf of Cowra Council.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Will Cooke
Senior Consultant - Public Sector People
0412 950 548
wcooke@publicsectorpeople.com.au

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and recruitment activity may commence prior to the closing date.

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