About the role

As Waterways & Coastlines Program Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of Cradle Coast NRM's Water Program, overseeing a portfolio of projects that protect and improve the region's rivers and estuaries, wetlands and waterbodies, and coastal and marine environments. You will provide strategic and operational leadership for major regional initiatives, including the Healthy Harbour project and Mersey Estuary Urban Rivers project, and coordinate the proposed Ramsar nomination for the Circular Head Coastal Wetlands. The position will lead project teams, build strong partnerships, secure and manage investment, and translate science, strategy and community priorities into practical environmental outcomes.

Key responsibilities

- Lead the Water Program and coordinate delivery of a portfolio of projects that protect, restore and improve the region's rivers, estuaries, wetlands, urban waterways and coastal and marine environments.

- Provide program leadership for major regional initiatives, including the Healthy Harbour and Urban Rivers & Waterways projects, ensuring projects are well planned, integrated and delivered to a high standard.

- Coordinate the proposed Ramsar nomination for the Circular Head Coastal Wetlands, including scientific and technical inputs, stakeholder and community engagement, government liaison, Aboriginal cultural values and preparation of nomination documentation.

- Develop new Water Program proposals and investment opportunities through effective stakeholder engagement, partnership development and alignment with the 2030 NRM Strategy.

- Lead, support and coordinate local and remote project teams to deliver agreed outputs and outcomes while maintaining a positive, collaborative work culture.

- Build and maintain productive relationships with Aboriginal community stakeholders, private landholders, community and industry groups, local and State Government, researchers, technical specialists and other delivery partners.

- Facilitate community participation and adoption of conservation action by providing stakeholders with appropriate knowledge, skills,



support and opportunities to contribute to improved water and environmental outcomes.

- Manage monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements for funded projects and use evidence to assess progress, demonstrate outcomes and support continuous improvement.

- Ensure effective financial, procurement and contract management, including budget oversight, expenditure tracking, variations, risk management and contingency planning.

- Prepare high-quality funding applications, correspondence, articles, submissions, reports, briefing papers and presentations for a range of internal and external audiences.

About you

- Tertiary qualification in NRM (environmental science, environmental engineering or environmental management) or in another related field with extensive experience working in NRM.

- Demonstrated experience leading complex environmental or NRM programs or projects, including planning, developing and managing budgets, procurement, contract management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

- Significant experience in stakeholder and community engagement, with the ability to build trusted relationships, facilitate participation, negotiate differing perspectives and influence collaborative outcomes.

- Strong knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, with demonstrated ability to interpret and integrate scientific, technical, policy and community information to guide practical conservation and restoration outcomes.

- Demonstrated experience in leading, managing and supporting teams that deliver high-quality work to achieve outcomes while maintaining a positive work culture.

- Effective written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing funding applications, project documentation,



and briefings to managers, politicians and media.

- Current Class C Driver's Licence.

- Understanding of the NRM sector in Tasmania including Aboriginal community, environmental stakeholders, NRM programs and funding opportunities (desirable).

- GIS skills and experience (desirable).

About us

Cradle Coast NRM works collaboratively with communities and partners to protect, sustainably manage and improve the natural resources of north-west and western Tasmania. Cradle Coast NRM is one of three natural resource management (NRM) organisations in Tasmania (and 54 in Australia). The role of Cradle Coast NRM is to protect, sustainably manage and improve natural resources by actively working with communities to ensure a healthy future for the region. Our work is guided by the 2030 NRM Strategy for Cradle Coast Tasmania which aims to build, support and maintain healthy, resilient and biodiverse environments; healthy and productive water and marine resources; and productive and sustainable land management. Cradle Coast NRM is a business unit of Cradle Coast Authority (CCA), a local government organisation that is jointly owned by the councils of north-west and western Tasmania.

Position details

The position is offered on a full time fixed 24-month contract (negotiable) with a base salary up to $105,000 per annum, dependent on the successful applicant’s knowledge, skills and abilities.

Find out more about the role:

https://cradlecoast.com/job/waterways-coastlines-manager/

Applications close 5 PM Sunday 27th September 2026.

If you have any queries, please contact Bonnie Bonneville via email ••••@cradlecoast.com or phone 03 •••• •400.

Applications are to be submitted via email to ••••@cradlecoast.com and must include:

- A brief cover letter describing your interest in the role and key relevant experience

- Current CV

Cradle Coast NRM works collaboratively with communities and partners to protect, sustainably manage and improve the natural resources of north-west and western Tasmania.

📌 Waterways & Coastlines Manager (Burnie)
🏢 Cradle Coast Authority
📍 Burnie