Operations Engineer

Location: MidCoast NSW

Looking for more than just your next job?

Join a team that's helping shape the future of the MidCoast while enjoying the perfect balance of meaningful work and an exceptional lifestyle on the Barrington Coast. Here, your contribution matters - to your community, your team, and your own future.

The Opportunity The MidCoast region is home to a diverse network of water, wastewater and recycled water treatment systems. This role provides an opportunity to apply your environmental and engineering expertise to the operational challenges that support these essential services.

As an Operations Engineer, you will work across the Water Management and Treatment department to identify environmental risks, strengthen compliance, support operational projects and improve the performance of Council's water and sewerage systems.

You will work closely with operational teams, contractors, regulators and internal stakeholders, providing practical technical advice and helping ensure Council's treatment systems meet legislative, environmental and community expectations. The role includes a combination of technical investigations, environmental assessments, contract management, data analysis, reporting and fieldwork across the MidCoast region.

In this role, you will:

- Provide environmental and operational engineering advice across Council's drinking water, wastewater and recycled water systems.
- Assess environmental risks associated with water and sewerage operations, including biosolids, liquid trade waste, odour, effluent discharge, sludge handling, chemical storage and erosion and sediment control.
- Prepare and coordinate environmental assessments for operational projects, including Reviews of Environmental Factors and Environmental Management Plans.
- Develop technical specifications, manage procurement processes and oversee service contracts relating to water and sewer operations.
- Analyse environmental monitoring and compliance data, identify trends and issues, and prepare reports with practical recommendations.
- Support the investigation and response to environmental incidents, including undertaking field inspections and out-of-hours sampling when required.
- Provide technical input into projects involving biosolids, liquid trade waste, water quality, wastewater and recycled water systems.
- Support operational teams with environmental compliance, site land management and the implementation of Council's drinking water quality management system.
- Work with regulators, contractors, consultants and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and achieve required environmental and operational outcomes.
- Represent Council's water and sewer services in sustainability initiatives, industry forums and benchmarking activities.
- Undertake fieldwork across the MidCoast region, including working at heights, near open water and across uneven or wide-ranging terrain.
- Contribute to the ongoing improvement of Council's water and sewerage operations, systems and processes.

What you'll bring





- A degree-level qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or another relevant discipline.
- Experience working in environmental, water, wastewater, engineering, infrastructure or industrial operations.
- Experience preparing environmental assessments, technical reports, environmental management plans or similar documentation.
- Demonstrated experience in procurement, contract management and the development of technical specifications.
- The ability to analyse monitoring and compliance data, identify risks and trends, and develop practical recommendations.
- Knowledge of environmental legislation, regulatory requirements and compliance obligations relevant to water, wastewater or industrial operations.
- The ability to provide clear and practical technical advice to operational teams and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues, contractors, consultants, regulators and other stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports and communicate technical information clearly.
- The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and contribute effectively as part of a team.
- A current Class C Driver Licence.
- A commitment to workplace safety, environmental sustainability, continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery.

What we offer?

We are committed to the growth of our employees and have a range of benefits available to support wellbeing and career development. Click here to find out more.

Looking to relocate? From housing and transport to community connections and personalised support - discover a range of local services designed to make your move to the MidCoast region easier. Learn more here.

Salary: Commencing salary circa $89,400 - $107,200 p.a. plus superannuation. (dependent on skills and experience)

Civil Liability Allowance 3.5%

A vehicle arrangement will be made with the successful candidate for this role. Council will provide you with a leaseback vehicle for an annual fee calculated as 20% of the gross purchase price. This is a fully maintained vehicle for both business and full private use with no additional expenses in normal use.

Location: This position will be based at our Administration Centre in Yalawanyi Ganya at 2 Biripi Way, Taree. You may also be required to be based from other Council sites across the MidCoast Council region.

Tenure: Permanent, Full Time.

Closing date: Sunday, 29 November 2026 at 11:00 pm.

For questions relating to the position requirements please contact Tenille Lawrence-Haskew, Coordinator Water Quality and Process who is the hiring manager for this role.



Tenille can be reached on 02 7955 7 or at @midcoast.nsw.gov.au.

For enquiries regarding the application process contact Candice Plevey, Human Resources Business Partner who is the HR representative for this role. Candice can be reached on (02) 7955 7 or at *****@midcoast.nsw.gov.au.

How to apply:

- When responding to the questions below, please include detailed and relevant examples of your skills and experience. Using the STAR method can help you prepare clear and concise responses using real-life examples. For more information regarding the STAR method, please click on this link.
- Please avoid using AI to generate responses to answer the questions in your application.
- You have the option to save your application prior to submitting, however please ensure you don't forget to submit your application before the closing date.
- Click the "NEXT" button at the bottom of the application form to attach your resume. We recommend using Pdf formatting where possible.
- Attaching a Cover Letter is not a requirement of the application process. However, there is an 'optional field' to attach a Cover Letter, if you wish to do so.
- We will be in touch via email.

Our organisation

At MidCoast Council our people are our most important resource and we believe that we can only reach our full potential when you reach yours. This is the place for those who seek to play a role in the community and have an enthusiasm to learn and grow. Here you can make a real difference.

Our community is our customer and is at the centre of everything we do. We value, support and empower our people to deliver positive results for our community.

Right now, we are investing heavily in our organisation, and our people. Our Administration Centre is a state-of-the-art facility designed to inspire innovation, creativity and collaboration. The building has been named 'Yalawanyi Ganya' which means "sitting/meeting place" in the Gathang language of the indigenous people across the MidCoast Region.

About the MidCoast Region

From lakes and estuaries to white sandy beaches to world heritage mountain wilderness, the MidCoast region offers an attractive lifestyle for everyone. Our community is characterised by its welcoming attitude, growing economy and natural beauty. These are the pillars of the quality of life we value.

Our commitment

At MidCoast Council we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities. Our aim is to provide all of our staff with an inclusive, safe and healthy working environment. We never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age or marital, veteran or disability status.

If you have a disability and need to request any adjustments to assist with the application process, or to discuss workplace adjustments you may require, please contact the HR representative.

Council also recognises the skills and attributes of veterans and welcomes applications from ex-service personnel.

We respectfully ask that recruitment agencies do not contact

📌 Operations Engineer (Taree)
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