Authorised Water Officers

Melbourne Water; Neerim South; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Melbourne Water is seeking two Authorised Water Officers to join Water Supply Operations in Gippsland. The site-based role involves patrolling Tarago Reservoir areas, engaging with visitors, and educating the public on safe recreation.

You’ll investigate incidents, issue notices when needed, respond to emergencies, and support safe water supply operations. This role requires flexibility to work across a roster, including regular weekend work and varying hours to support operational and

Qualifications

• Experience in compliance, enforcement, investigations or regulatory environments.
• Experience issuing infringement notices or undertaking enforcement actions.
• Strong conflict resolution, de-escalation and communication skills.
• Experience engaging with the public in potentially challenging situations.
• Knowledge of investigative processes and evidence collection.
• Experience preparing reports, statements or court-related documentation.

Responsibilities

• Patrolling reservoir and recreation areas.
• Engaging with visitors and user groups.
• Educating the public on safe and responsible recreational use.
• Investigating incidents and compliance breaches.
• Issuing warnings, notices and infringement notices where required.
• Responding to incidents and emergencies.
• Supporting the safe operation of Melbourne Water's water supply assets.

Skills

Compliance

Enforcement

Investigations

Public engagement

Report writing

Education

Cert IV in Government Investigations

Driver's licence

Coxswain Licence

Job description

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life. As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, we care for water, life and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity. Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet or kayak down the Yarra, we’re there. Primed and ready, we quietly deliver some of the worlds cleanest water to more than five million residents and the wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years. If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what’s right, you're in the right place.

Authorised Water Officer - Water Supply Operations

Do you enjoy working outdoors, engaging with the community and helping keep people safe while protecting valuable natural environments? Melbourne Water is seeking two enthusiastic and community-minded Authorised Water Officers (AWOs) to join our Water Supply Operations team in Gippsland. These unique roles combine compliance and enforcement activities with public education, patrols, investigations, emergency response and operational support across the beautiful Tarago Reservoir recreational area. If you thrive in a role where no two days are the same and enjoy a mix of independent fieldwork and collaboration with a supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As an Authorised Water Officer, you'll play a key role in helping Melbourne Water deliver safe public access, protect drinking water quality, and preserve important environmental and community assets. This is a site-based role where you'll spend your time at the various Tarago Reservoir recreational areas.

• Patrolling reservoir and recreation areas
• Engaging with visitors and user groups
• Educating the public on safe and responsible recreational use
• Investigating incidents and compliance breaches
• Issuing warnings, notices and infringement notices where required
• Responding to incidents and emergencies
• Supporting the safe operation of Melbourne Water's water supply assets

You’ll be part of a close-knit team and will be supported by the Lead Operator and a team of Water Supply Operators. The confidence and judgment to work independently are also important in this role. This role will require flexibility to work across a roster, including regular weekend work and varying hours to support operational and compliance activities.

What You’ll Bring

We're looking for candidates who enjoy interacting with people, can confidently manage challenging situations and have a strong compliance, enforcement or regulatory mindset.

Highly desirable experience includes:

• Experience in compliance, enforcement, investigations or regulatory environments
• Experience issuing infringement notices or undertaking enforcement actions
• Strong conflict resolution, de-escalation and communication skills
• Experience engaging with members of the public in potentially challenging situations
• Knowledge of investigative processes and evidence collection
• Experience preparing reports, statements or court-related documentation

Qualifications and licences

• Cert IV in Government Investigations is highly regarded
• Valid Coxswain Licence is highly desirable. Candidates willing to obtain a Coxswain Licence are strongly encouraged to apply
• Current driver's licence, an operational vehicle will be provided
• Meaningful work protecting water supply and public safety
• A role with variety, autonomy, and purpose
• Significant time working outdoors and in the field,
• Opportunities to develop specialist compliance and enforcement expertise
• Being part of a supportive and collaborative team
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities

If you're passionate about public safety, environmental protection, community engagement, and compliance, we'd love to hear from you.

Review the Position Description

Position Description - Authorised Water Officer Water Supply.pdf

• At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains.
• Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.
• We don’t just talk about flexible working, we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.
• Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, neurodivergent individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.
• If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and passionate about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit.