Principal Water Planning and Assets Engineer

Location: MidCoast NSW

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.

The Opportunity

The MidCoast region is growing, and effective water and sewerage planning is essential to supporting healthy communities, sustainable development and reliable services into the future.

As the Principal Water Planning and Assets Engineer, you will provide senior engineering expertise across water and sewer infrastructure planning, asset management, strategic planning, development assessment and project management.

You will work across a broad range of strategically important projects, helping Council plan for future growth, manage existing infrastructure and make informed decisions about investment, renewal and service delivery.

This is an prospect to apply your engineering experience to work that has a direct and lasting impact on the MidCoast community.

In this role, you will

- Project manage, or act as the senior engineer on, major water and sewer projects through to the end of the concept design phase.
- Provide senior engineering advice on water and sewer infrastructure planning, asset management, hydraulic modelling, project management, infrastructure failures and issue investigations.
- Provide technical input into the assessment of major development proposals and their impacts on water and sewer infrastructure.
- Coordinate and oversee the development and implementation of water and sewer design and construction standards.
- Contribute to water and sewerage servicing strategies, development servicing plans and long-term strategic planning documents.
- Provide engineering input into asset management plans, asset renewal programs, maintenance schedules and asset investment decisions.
- Coordinate or contribute to the preparation of water and sewer designs, design reports, cost estimates and plans in accordance with industry best practice.
- Coordinate initiatives and programs arising from long-term water and sewer strategic planning strategies.
- Apply project management principles and controls to infrastructure planning processes.
- Monitor project timelines, budgets and the performance of contractors and consultants.
- Support the Manager Water Planning and Assets to deliver objectives identified in Council's Operational Plan and Delivery Program.
- Build effective relationships with water industry professionals, developers, consultants, contractors, regulators and the local community.
- Identify and implement innovative technologies and work practices that improve water and sewer infrastructure planning and asset management.
- Provide technical leadership, guidance and support to staff within the Water Planning and Assets department.

What you'll bring

- A degree-level qualification in Engineering or another relevant discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in the water and sewerage industry.




- Comprehensive knowledge of water and sewerage system functions, design and processes.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, asset management, infrastructure planning or project management.
- Experience assessing development proposals and understanding their implications for water and sewer infrastructure.
- Experience preparing or reviewing engineering designs, design reports, cost estimates, technical standards or concept plans.
- Experience managing projects, including monitoring timeframes, budgets, risks and consultant or contractor performance.
- Diploma-level qualifications in Project Management or Asset Management, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical information clearly.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain constructive relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
- The ability to provide technical leadership, support capability development and contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.

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: Salary range $113,000 - $135,600 p.a. plus superannuation (negotiable based 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 will 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 Tracey Hamer - Manager Water Planning and Assets who is the hiring manager for this role. Tracey can be reached on (02) •••• •853 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) •••• •107 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 us at this stage.

📌 Principal Water Planning and Assets Engineer (Taree)
🏢 MidCoast Council
📍 Taree