The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) manages water to protect and restore the rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin. With more than 2,000 gigalitres of water available each year (equivalent to 4 Sydney Harbours and worth almost $4 billion), this water is delivered where and when plants and animals need it most, including to our internationally recognised wetlands. The use of this water is managed in partnership with First Nations, federal and state government agencies, Basin communities, industry groups, local landholders and scientists. We engage meaningfully and monitor thoroughly to deliver tangible benefits across the Basin. The CEWH is a position established under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) and is supported by the Environmental Water Division, a division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Setting and Water. Staff are based both in Canberra and in regional towns across the Basin and undertake roles ranging from project and program management, policy development, program governance and coordination, scientific monitoring and evaluation, community engagement and communications. The Environmental Water Division also provides secretariat and technical support to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development.

The Division consists of 3 branches and 10 sections that support the work of the CEWH.

The Environmental Water Management - Southern Section manages the delivery of Commonwealth environmental water in the Murray, the lower Darling/Baaka, and northern Victorian tributary catchments.

The Section’s responsibilities include:

• Working with a range of partners (e.g. State agencies, scientists, non-government organisations, First Nations peoples, irrigation companies, landholders) to recommend how, when and where water for the environment is delivered to achieve ecological outcomes and associated benefits for communities;

• Reviewing and improving the use of water for the environment through ongoing learning, monitoring projects, watering trials and investigative projects;

• Communicating the outcomes of our watering actions to multiple audiences through a variety of communication and engagement products/streams.





For more information about us please visit our website.

The key duties of the position include:

We are looking for a Regional Environmental Water Officer, focused on the South Australian region of the Murray Darling Basin. This newly defined role combines core environmental water delivery and local community engagement functions.

Key duties of the role include:

- Supporting the planning, use, monitoring and reporting of Commonwealth environmental water in the South Australian Murray River, including the Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth.
- Managing environmental water accounting for the South Australian Murray River including for Commonwealth and state environmental water.
- Engaging and building partnerships with regional communities, organisations and groups including First Nations, local water managers, land management organisations, local governments, landholders, environmental groups and irrigators to help facilitate understanding and improve the management of Commonwealth water for the environment.
- Representing and communicating the CEWH’s activities within the community and actively advising the CEWH on community views, knowledge and issues to assist decision making on the use and management of Commonwealth water for the environment.
- Initiating, collaborating in, participating in, and supporting local community or engagement events or experiences to help promote and increase understanding of Commonwealth water for the environment management and objectives.
- Identifying impediments and risks to the management of Commonwealth water for the environment and developing and coordinating strategies to resolve and manage them, including influencing broader policy settings.
- Managing and analysing complex information to provide written and verbal briefings and advice to senior executives and the CEWH.




- Actively engaging with stakeholders within and outside the department to drive business improvement practices for the division and continue to support water reform.
- Procurement and management of contracts with service providers, assessing milestones and variation requests, supporting the CEWH to make appropriate decisions in line with contract requirements, operational policies, legislative and regulatory requirements.
- Frequent regional travel on sealed and unsealed roads, and overnight stays, throughout the South Australian River Murray region.

For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.

Eligibility

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

Desirable qualifications

- Qualifications in natural resource management, water resource management and/or environmental science or related disciplines are desirable.

Additional requirements

- hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification,
- hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence,
- note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work,
- wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy,
- wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures

📌 Regional Environmental Water Officer (Adelaide)
🏢 Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
📍 Adelaide