Floodplain Management Coordinator

Wollongong City Council; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Flex-time

Rostered days off

35-hour week

Job summary

The Wollongong City Council is seeking a Floodplain Management Coordinator to lead a specialist team in floodplain risk management, studies, modelling, and infrastructure planning. You will guide projects, advise Council and stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement to enhance community resilience.

This permanent full-time role offers a 35-hour week, hybrid options, and opportunities to influence long-term planning and policy.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in Engineering; relevant to the role.
• Experience in floodplain risk management, flood studies and flood modelling.
• Strong knowledge of the NSW Flood Risk Management Framework and legislation.
• Demonstrated leadership within a technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Council's floodplain management team and provide expert technical advice on floodplain management matters.
• Manage flood studies, modelling projects, risk management studies and plans, and mitigation initiatives.
• Develop a high-performing technical team through direction and coaching.
• Provide specialist advice to Council, executives, agencies, consultants and community stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in floodplain practices, systems and processes.
• Oversee complex projects from planning through delivery meeting requirements.
• Build relationships with industry peers and government agencies.
• Translate complex technical information into practical advice for decision-makers.
• Contribute to infrastructure planning and resilience initiatives to mitigate flood risks.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Technical advisory

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.

Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play! Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.

We lead with courage, openness, and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

The Opportunity

Shape the future of floodplain management in one of NSW's largest and most diverse local government areas. As the Floodplain Management Coordinator, you'll lead a small team of experienced professionals and provide specialist technical leadership across floodplain risk management, flood studies, flood modelling, infrastructure strategic planning, and flood mitigation initiatives. You'll work closely with internal stakeholders, government agencies, consultants, industry groups, and the community to help deliver safer, more resilient outcomes for Wollongong.

This is a great opportunity to apply your technical expertise and leadership while influencing long-term planning, policy, and infrastructure decisions that directly impact the community. You'll have the scope to drive innovation, strengthen Council's internal floodplain team capability, and help bring more specialist expertise in-house.

This is a permanent full-time 35 hour per week position. Salary up to $144,552 per annum, plus superannuation. A 3.5% Civil Liability allowance may also apply. (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications).

What you will be doing

• Lead Council's floodplain management team and provide expert technical advice on floodplain management matters.
• Manage and oversee flood studies, flood modelling projects, floodplain risk management studies and plans, and flood mitigation projects and initiatives.
• Lead and develop a high-performing technical team, strengthening capability and accountability through clear direction and coaching.
• Provide specialist advice to Council, executive leaders, government agencies, consultants, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in floodplain management practices, systems, and processes.
• Oversee complex projects from planning through to delivery, ensuring outcomes meet legislative, environmental, and community requirements.
• Build productive relationships with industry peers, government agencies, research organisations, and other key stakeholders.
• Translate complex technical information into practical advice to support informed decision-making.
• Contribute to infrastructure strategic planning and resilience initiatives that help protect the community from current and future flood risks.

About you

You are a people leader who helps technical teams thrive. Through mentoring and a collaborative approach, you build capability and empower others to do their best work.

You bring the judgement to lead complex projects, balance competing priorities, and influence decisions at both operational and strategic levels.

You communicate complex modelling outcomes clearly, tailoring your advice to technical experts, senior leaders, and community stakeholders. You are motivated by the opportunity to improve flood resilience and make a lasting difference to Wollongong.

You will also bring:

• Degree qualification in Engineering, relevant to the role.
• Experience in floodplain risk management, flood studies and flood modelling.
• Strong knowledge of the NSW Flood Risk Management Framework and associated legislation, including Dam Safety NSW Act and Regulation.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a technical or engineering environment.
• Experience managing complex projects, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

A commitment to Council's values of Respect, Integrity, OneTeam, Sustainability and Courage.

Why you’ll love working at Wollongong City Council!

• True work-life balanceWe know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
• Great working conditionsEnjoy a 35-hour work week.
• Career growth and recognition

We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.

• Generous leave provisionsBenefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
• Health, safety, and wellbeing
  We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks and discounted gym memberships.
• A vibrant social cultureJoin our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events!

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.

We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you’ll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.

Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.

Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.