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.

Who we are 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 Environment 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.

Th****e job

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.

What you'll gain from the experience This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the delivery of Commonwealth Environmental Water in South Australia to achieve key ecological outcomes for native Australian flora and fauna. The successful applicant will gain the opportunity to:

- Use and develop specialist expertise in environmental water management in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin;
- Be part of a committed and welcoming team within the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder; and
- Work alongside and build relationships with local communities, including non-government organizations, First Nations and industry groups.

What we are looking for To be successful for this role you will have the following knowledge and experience:

- Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining productive working relationships with on-ground stakeholders, including regional communities, First Nations groups, state agencies, water managers, landholders, irrigators and environmental organisations in the Murray Darling Basin in South Australia.
- Demonstrated experience in project/program development, management and delivery.
- Experience in the application of legislative, financial and administrative frameworks and processes, including data maintenance and/or accounting.
- Experience and ability to travel and work safely in remote areas and conditions,



to identify risks and to follow safe work practices and Departmental guidelines.
- Experience in driving 4WD vehicles on regional and remote roads, and under off road conditions.

To be successful for this role you will have the following skills and capabilities:
- Demonstrated ability to understand and work with technical water accounting and scientific information in the context of environmental programs including operational policy and program development.
- Strong liaison, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to adapt your communication to a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and negotiate confidently and persuasively.
- Strong listening skills with the ability to explore and consider a range of differing viewpoints, while being tolerant, respectful and professional at all times.
- Solid organisational skills including the ability to manage available resources to complete multiple tasks in tight timeframes.
- Demonstrated capacity to identify, articulate and manage risk.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify and analyse complex datasets, manage complex issues, consider options and proactively recommend and implement appropriate and timely solutions.

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

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.

The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.

For more information, see:

- - Artificial Intelligence Transparency Statement
- AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission

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