Catchment Coordinator

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Ballina Shire; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is seeking a Richmond River Catchment Coordinator to lead an Integrated Catchment Management demonstration project in the Ballina/Murwillumbah region. This full-time fixed-term role to 30 June 2028 focuses on implementing the Richmond River ICM Demonstration Project and improving catchment outcomes.

The role requires coordinating government, Aboriginal organisations, councils, industry and communities, driving

Qualifications

• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes across government, community, industry and Aboriginal groups.
• Experience facilitating collaboration, governance processes and collective decision‑making in complex operating environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating complex programs, projects, partnerships or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of the Richmond River Catchment Improvement Plan, driving coordinated action and shared ownership across stakeholders.
• Coordinate diverse stakeholders to work towards shared catchment outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government, industry, community and partner organisations, providing strategic advice and facilitating collaboration to achieve catchment outcomes.
• Manage project planning, governance and delivery, including risk management, progress reporting and recommendations to support informed decision-making and successful outcomes.
• Identify and resolve policy, regulatory and operational barriers, fostering innovative and collaborative solutions to support integrated catchment management.
• Drive stakeholder engagement, project prioritisation and knowledge sharing, capturing lessons learned to inform future catchment management initiatives across NSW.

Skills

Relationship building

Influence outcomes

Stakeholder engagement

Governance experience

Job description

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW? Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Richmond River Catchment Coordinator
• Temporary full-time opportunity to 30 June 2028
• Office location Ballina or Murwillumbah preferred, hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $154,231 to $178,369 + super

The Water Group leads the NSW Government in providing confidence to communities and stakeholders with the transparent stewardship of water resources, provision of services and reforms that support sustainable and healthy environments, economies and societies across NSW.

We are seeking to appoint a Catchment Coordinator to lead the Richmond River Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Demonstration Project in a full-time fixed term capacity to 30 June 2028. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in an innovative catchment management initiative for the Richmond River catchment.

About You

As Catchment Coordinator you, you will lead and coordinate the implementation of the Richmond River ICM Demonstration Project, bringing together government agencies, Aboriginal organisations, local councils, industry, community representatives and delivery partners to strengthen collaboration, align investment and support integrated decision-making across the Richmond River catchment.

The role leads the development and implementation of the Richmond River Catchment Improvement Plan, supports effective governance and stakeholder engagement, and identifies and applies lessons from the demonstration project to inform future integrated catchment management approaches across NSW.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of the Richmond River Catchment Improvement Plan, driving coordinated action and shared ownership across stakeholders.
• Coordinate diverse stakeholders to work towards shared catchment outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government, industry, community and partner organisations, providing strategic advice and facilitating collaboration to achieve catchment outcomes.
• Manage project planning, governance and delivery, including risk management, progress reporting and recommendations to support informed decision-making and successful outcomes.
• Identify and resolve policy, regulatory and operational barriers, fostering innovative and collaborative solutions to support integrated catchment management.
• Drive stakeholder engagement, project prioritisation and knowledge sharing, capturing lessons learned to inform future catchment management initiatives across NSW.

Key Challenges

• Influencing and aligning diverse stakeholders with differing priorities, responsibilities and decision‑making frameworks without direct authority.
• Balancing long‑term strategic outcomes with competing operational demands, emerging risks and changing stakeholder needs.
• Translating integrated catchment management principles into practical actions, governance arrangements and investment priorities.
• Building trusted relationships across stakeholders with diverse environmental, cultural, social and economic interests.

Key Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes across government, community, industry and Aboriginal stakeholder groups.
• Experience facilitating collaboration, governance processes and collective decision‑making in complex operating environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating complex programs, projects, partnerships or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and organisations.

Essential Requirements

• Current NSW Driver Licence and willingness to travel regularly throughout the Richmond catchment and wider NSW as required.

For more information read the full Role Description: Catchment Coordinator

Who We Are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

Applications close Sunday 11 October 2026 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Simon Mould via [e-mail] or 0497 954 069 up to 5 October 2026 or Ria Pryce via [e-mail] or 0437 118 445 from 6 October 2026.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability.
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing [e-mail] or contacting Ty Brennock via [e-mail] or on 0400 231 505 (please mention reference number 553284).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or our Aboriginal Career pathways team at [e-mail] for a yarn.

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