Director of Engineering Services

McArthur; Georgetown; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Etheridge Shire Council seeks an experienced Director of Engineering Services to lead its diverse infrastructure portfolio from Georgetown. You will steer roads, water, waste and asset management, delivering major projects while aligning with Council priorities and community needs.

The role requires senior local government leadership, strategic delivery, and exceptional stakeholder engagement. Experience with DRFA/TMR programs and remote council operations is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in local government, infrastructure, utilities or closely related environment.
• Postgraduate qualifications and professional registration (RPEQ) preferred.
• Civil Engineering or related discipline; extensive equivalent experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across roads and infrastructure, water, waste, parks and gardens, workshop operations and major projects.
• Translate complex engineering data into clear advice for CEO, Councillors and stakeholders.
• Balance long‑term planning with service delivery to support community growth and financial sustainability.
• Lead capital investment programs and asset management with governance and funding alignment.
• Foster collaboration and build contractor relationships to deliver outcomes in a small, remote LG context.

Skills

Senior leadership

Infrastructure portfolio

Asset management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Civil Engineering or related discipline

Postgraduate qualifications

RPEQ registration or ability to obtain

Engineers Australia or IPWEA membership preferred

Job description

• Diverse engineering, infrastructure and operations portfolio
• Significant capital works, DRFA and TMR programs

Etheridge Shire Council is located in the Golden Heart of the Gulf, a distinctive North Queensland region known for its strong community spirit, rich history, productive industries and outstanding natural environment. With thriving mining, agriculture, beef cattle and tourism sectors, the Shire is continuing to attract investment and pursue opportunities that support sustainable growth, community wellbeing and long-term prosperity.

Council is now seeking an experienced Director of Engineering Services to join its Executive Leadership Team and lead one of the organisation's most diverse and operationally significant portfolios. Based in Georgetown and reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this is a substantial leadership opportunity for a local government infrastructure professional who is ready to make a visible and lasting contribution.

The Director of Engineering Services will provide strategic leadership across Council's roads and infrastructure, water, waste, parks and gardens, workshop and plant operations, contract services, safety, asset management and major project delivery functions. The role is responsible for ensuring Council's infrastructure network is well planned, effectively maintained and positioned to support future community and economic outcomes.

This is a broad, hands-on executive role that will require the successful candidate to balance strategic planning with practical delivery. The portfolio includes significant road and infrastructure activity, substantial DRFA works, TMR-related programs, asset and risk register improvements, landfill and waste strategy priorities, parks and community assets, and a diverse pipeline of capital works projects across the Shire.

A key feature of the role will be the ability to operate as a trusted technical adviser and practical communicator. The successful candidate will be able to translate complex engineering, project and asset information into clear advice for the CEO, Councillors, staff, contractors and community stakeholders, ensuring decisions are informed, transparent and aligned to Council's priorities.

The environment will suit a leader who understands the realities of small and remote local government, including the need to work constructively with elected members, support operational teams, build contractor relationships and provide frank, respectful and evidence-based advice. Council is seeking a leader who is confident and influential, technically capable yet strategically focused, and able to build trust, foster collaboration and bring people with them through change.

To be successful, you will bring senior leadership experience in local government, infrastructure, utilities or a closely related environment, with local government experience strongly preferred. You will bring extensive experience in leading complex infrastructure portfolios and capital investment programs, underpinned by a strategic understanding of asset sustainability, organisational performance, governance, funding opportunities and stakeholder partnerships. You will be adept at balancing long-term planning with service delivery outcomes to support community growth, resilience and financial sustainability.

Relevant qualifications in Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or extensive equivalent experience, are required. Postgraduate qualifications, membership of Engineers Australia or IPWEA, and RPEQ registration or the ability to obtain it will be highly regarded. Most importantly, you will bring sound judgement, political awareness, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to lead a diverse workforce through a period of opportunity and improvement.

For the right person, this is an outstanding opportunity to lead meaningful infrastructure outcomes in a Council that is ambitious, practical and committed to its communities. You will help shape the systems, projects and partnerships that support the Shire's future, while enjoying the lifestyle, connection and professional breadth that comes with living and working in one of Queensland's most distinctive regional environments.