BetterAIM is a specialist infrastructure and asset management advisory firm supporting councils, utilities and ports across Australia. We combine technical engineering capability with data, systems and strategy to help our clients make smarter, evidence-based infrastructure planning and investment decisions.

We're seeking an experienced Senior or Principal Water & Wastewater Planner to join our growing infrastructure advisory team. We are seeking someone with a strong background in the water sector complemented by professional qualifications in engineering, science or business.

This role will suit an experienced water industry professional with a strong technical background in water and wastewater infrastructure. Skills we are seeking include strategy and planning activities for water and sewer schemes, hydraulic modelling and analysis, the ability to deliver options analysis and planning studies, develop business cases, support operations and maintenance teams in managing water and sewer infrastructure and experience in working through regulatory submissions.

We are seeking someone who is comfortable working across water and wastewater systems and with stakeholders from executive management through to operational staff. An ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders is a key requirement to succeed in the role.

We're looking for someone who can take ownership of technical assignments, work independently on defined projects and support project leads in delivering practical, evidence-based advice to clients.

We are open to permanent full time or part-time arrangements, as well as casual employment for the right candidate. Applicants can be based anywhere in Australia.

About the Role

You'll work alongside experienced project leads and technical specialists to deliver a diverse range of water and wastewater infrastructure planning, engineering and advisory assignments.

Your work may include

- Undertaking water and wastewater infrastructure planning studies, including demand forecasting, water balances, capacity assessments, system performance reviews and options analyses.
- Assessing water and wastewater treatment processes, infrastructure performance and water quality outcomes, including identifying operational constraints, compliance risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Reviewing water and wastewater infrastructure performance against relevant regulatory requirements, including drinking water quality, recycled water, wastewater discharge and environmental compliance obligations.
- Supporting water security, drought resilience, infrastructure risk and long-term servicing strategies.
- Undertaking hydraulic modelling and interpreting modelling results to support infrastructure planning, capacity assessments and investment decisions.
- Analysing operational,



infrastructure and financial data to identify performance issues, evaluate options and support evidence-based recommendations.
- Preparing technical reports, planning assessments, feasibility studies and client-ready recommendations.
- Working directly with clients and stakeholders to gather information, understand operational challenges and develop practical solutions.
- Supporting project leads and independently delivering defined technical work packages, including managing technical inputs, analysis, reporting and client engagement.
- Contributing to water and wastewater asset management plans, including assessments of infrastructure condition, performance, risk, renewal requirements and future investment needs.

The role offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of assignments, from focused technical assessments and water balance studies through to strategic infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance and asset management improvement programs.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings:

Essential experience and capabilities

- A degree in engineering, science or business or significant equivalent experience and supporting qualifications.
- Demonstrated experience at a senior or principal engineer/consultant level in water and/or wastewater infrastructure planning, operations and management or advisory services.
- Previous advisory or consulting experience, including the delivery of technical assessments, reports and recommendations to clients.
- Practical experience working within a water utility or in a water and/or wastewater engineering practitioner role.
- Strong technical understanding of water and wastewater infrastructure, including network operations, treatment processes, system performance and infrastructure planning requirements.
- Experience working within a regulated water industry environment, with an understanding of relevant drinking water, wastewater, recycled water and environmental regulatory requirements.
- Knowledge of water and wastewater quality requirements, treatment technologies and processes, including how treatment performance and operational practices contribute to achieving regulatory compliance outcomes.
- Demonstrated hydraulic modelling experience in water and/or wastewater systems, including the ability to develop, review or interpret models to inform planning and engineering decisions.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills,



including the ability to independently develop analytical models, manipulate complex datasets and produce reliable, defensible analysis.
- Excellent technical report-writing skills, with the ability to prepare clear, well-structured reports and recommendations with limited supervision.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work with incomplete or imperfect information and develop practical recommendations.
- The ability to independently manage technical assignments, take ownership of deliverables and work effectively with project leads and clients.
- A flexible approach and willingness to contribute across a range of water and wastewater planning, engineering, regulatory and asset management assignments.

Highly regarded, but not essential

- Experience with hydraulic modelling software such as Bentley WaterGEMS, SewerGEMS or equivalent applications.
- Experience in water demand forecasting, water balance assessments, water security and drought management planning.
- Experience undertaking water and wastewater treatment performance assessments, process optimisation or regulatory compliance reviews.
- Experience developing infrastructure servicing strategies, capital investment plans or business cases.
- Experience preparing water and wastewater asset management plans, lifecycle assessments or long-term infrastructure investment programs.
- Experience working with local government water utilities, regional water providers or major Australian water utilities.

We're particularly interested in candidates who combine practical water industry knowledge with strong advisory, analytical and communication skills. You don't need to be a specialist in every aspect of water and wastewater engineering, but you should be comfortable taking on unfamiliar technical challenges, working independently and contributing across a diverse range of assignments.

Why Join BetterAIM

- Meaningful work helping water utilities and local governments improve infrastructure performance, regulatory compliance and investment decisions. We have clients across the country and a strong forward pipeline of project work.
- Diverse projects spanning water and wastewater planning, engineering, water security, treatment performance, risk and asset management.
- The opportunity to take ownership of technical assignments and contribute directly to client outcomes.
- A collaborative, technically focused team with experienced practitioners across engineering, asset management and digital advisory.
- Flexible working arrangements, with opportunities for remote work from anywhere in Australia.
- Opportunities to broaden your advisory experience and take on greater technical and project leadership responsibilities.

📌 Senior / Principal Water & Wastewater Planner - Any State (Sydney)
🏢 BetterAIM
📍 Sydney