Water & Wastewater Planning Engineer

Position Description

Water and Wastewater Planning Engineer

It’s an exciting time to join

We’re transforming the way we do business with significant investment in customer, digital and business innovation, re-

designing our infrastructure to service communities for generations to come and pursuing a circular economy so we can

not only reduce our environmental footprint but also reduce energy costs to keep customer bills affordable. We’re also

engaging communities to achieve better outcomes and supporting our incredibly talented and valued leaders and people.

Organisational Context

east Victoria across an area of 20,000 square kilometres. The service delivery area is bound by Corryong, Yarrawonga,

Benalla, and Dartmouth. We operate 21 water treatment facilities and 22 wastewater treatment plants that service most

towns across the region. Over 200 full time equivalent staff are employed at our centres in Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla,

Yarrawonga, Corryong, Beechworth, Mount Beauty, and Myrtleford.

Our operations are overseen by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on behalf of the

Minister for Water, and the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) on behalf of the Treasurer. We continue to invest in

innovative and long-term capital projects which contribute to the health and well-being of current and future generations.

The Infrastructure Strategy and Planning team leads the technical assessment and planning of water supply and sewerage

infrastructure to address growth, compliance, network performance and renewals. The team’s work includes master

planning, options assessments, feasibility studies, business case preparation, engagement and approvals, concept and

functional design of infrastructure. Work completed by this team progresses into the Capital Delivery team to be released

as design and construct contracts.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

free from bullying and harassment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. We prioritise the health, safety

(physical and psychological) and wellbeing of all staff and customers.

Our Mindsets

At

where our people are aligned with our business direction, proud of their contribution to business performance, and own a

culture that is centred on the following mindsets:

• Committed to advancing and supporting people to succeed.

• Consistent in interactions with people and in applying processes.

• Provide empathy for people and be willing to place oneself in another person’s position.

• Accountable for one’s own actions and responsibilities and playing your part for the success of the

organisation.

• Cooperative with others to work towards the Corporation’s common goals.

Position Objectives

The Water and Wastewater Planning Engineer:

• Leads and oversees technical tasks across a wide range of water and sewerage projects, including planning for new

assets, upgrades and renewal of existing assets.

• Plans, procures and oversees delivery of professional engineering consultancy projects including concept and

functional designs.

• Coordinates and ensures delivery of a suite of water and wastewater planning projects, following North East

Water’s Project Management Framework.

• Liaises independently with internal and external stakeholders to secure project support and regulatory approvals.
• Prepares clear, professional technical reports and status reports on projects.
• Provides engineering related advice to the Corporation so that it can make informed decisions regarding urban

water and wastewater needs.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Leading the infrastructure renewal and capital infrastructure planning projects in accordance with required

regulatory frameworks, standards, guidelines, codes of practice, procedures, and review processes.

• Managing a suite of concurrent planning projects on time and on budget.
• Preparing specifications, overseeing procurement and delivery of professional engineering services contracts.
• Providing well written project reports and status reports on the suite of projects underway.
• Managing projects in accordance with
• Leading community and stakeholder consultation in the delivery of infrastructure planning projects, including with

local government and other authorities to secure regulatory approvals.

• Engaging widely across the business to ensure projects meet multiple requirements, and ensuring relevant staff

remain engaged throughout the project delivery to provide input and advice.

• Maintaining project governance while liaising with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure alignment between

stakeholder needs and delivered infrastructure functionality.

Organisational Relationships

This role reports to the Manager Infrastructure Strategy & Planning and liaises with all internal and external stakeholders as

required.

Accountability and Extent of Authority

• Authority to act within
• Required to fulfill the objectives of the position and manage resources to ensure the attainment of objectives

independent of direct management supervision.

• Accountable for the timely, effective, and compliant provision of planning projects.
• Authorised to make decisions in accordance with the Corporation’s policies, budget, objectives, and legislative

requirements.

• Represent the organisation on external working groups, committees, community reference groups. You will be

required to convey accurate information, to analyse information, debate on points of relevance to the area of

expertise as directed.

Judgement and Decision Making

• Where methods, procedures and processes lack definition the incumbent is expected to contribute to

their development and adaption. Identify and analyse an unspecific range of options before a decision

can be made.

• Identify and develop infrastructure planning options for consideration and decision by your manager.
• Use sound judgement when dealing with the public, contractors, consultants, and other organisations.

• Provide advice and solve problems with the application of professional engineering knowledge, skills and

experience relating to the position.

• Understanding of budgets and act within delegation.
• At times the role will be required to make instantaneous decisions relevant to engineering projects. A high degree

of independence and ability to assess several alternative courses of action and recommend or implement a

preferred option is required.

• Identify and analyse a range of infrastructure options and respond to emerging risks as required.
• Ensure ethics underpins and defines the values and principles that shape the decisions made.
• Ensure infrastructure planning work is informed by robust engineering analysis, system performance, population

growth modelling impacts, development front demand projections, customer outcomes, stakeholder input and

other relevant variables.

Specialist skills and knowledge

• Knowledge and proficiency in water and wastewater systems.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to utilise systematic analysis and evaluation of infrastructure problems to translate stakeholder needs into

engineering concept and design parameters and specifications suitable for procurement.

• Demonstrated high-level of knowledge in project management.
• An understanding of the long-term goals of the water sector and of the political context in which it operates.
• Well-developed analytical and investigative skills.
• Ability to produce professional correspondence, reports, presentations, and other documents as required.
• An understanding of budget management.
• Sound knowledge of contract management, developing specifications, procuring and overseeing delivery of

professional engineering services.

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, and WH&S requirements.

Management Skills

• Design and deliver projects, programs, and services in accordance with agreed standards, timeframes, and budget.
• Ability to plan, schedule, and budget projects of varying priorities.
• Maintain reporting systems to drive performance and accountability.
• Act professionally and maintain confidentiality.

Interpersonal Skills

• Influence and gain high level cooperation, support, and assistance from a range of stakeholders in the pursuit and

achievement of specific and set objectives.

• Establish professional, productive, and trusting relationships with stakeholders.
• Communication skills including consultation and change management to assist in the resolution of issues and

challenges.

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, adding value and innovation to processes, procedures, and systems.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to communicate with stakeholders.
• Ability to lead collaboratively, motivate, and develop internal and external resources.

Qualifications and Experience

• A tertiary qualification recognised by Engineers Australia in an engineering discipline relevant to the role (civil,

mechanical, environmental, or chemical).

• Demonstrated experience in management of engineering consultancy contracts.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, project delivery and project oversight.
• Demonstrated experience in engagement of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of infrastructure assets in water and wastewater systems.
• Sound understanding of asset management principles, with well-developed analytical and decision-making skills.

Requirements of Employment

Employees of

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

• Take all reasonable actions to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of yourself and others in the workplace.
• Adhere to

training.

• Report all incidents regardless of the severity and participate in incident debriefs.
• Proactively focus on your physical and mental wellbeing.

Protecting the Environment

helping our communities build resilience and adapt to climate change. This will be demonstrated through continued

emissions reduction, climate adaptation and environmental stewardship.

Data Privacy

As a Victorian government organisation,

2014 (“PDP Act”). There are 10 Information Privacy Principles (“IPPs”) in the PDP Act that govern the way that North East

Water collects and handles the personal information of current and future employees and customers.

Privacy Statement can be found on our website.