Manager Essential Services

Peak Services; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidised housing

Vehicle provided

Relocation support

5 weeks annual leave

Travel/locality allowance

Professional development

Job summary

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council on the Cape York Peninsula is seeking an Essential Services Manager to lead the operation, maintenance and improvement of water supply, wastewater and essential service assets in one of Queensland's remote communities.

Reporting to the Executive Manager Roads, Infrastructure and Essential Services, you will manage a small team and contractors, ensure WHS compliance, and advance major upgrades while delivering day-to-day services and building local capability.

Qualifications

• Experience in water and wastewater infrastructure management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Knowledge of relevant standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of water supply and wastewater assets.
• Lead a small team and contractors to deliver services safely and efficiently.

Job description

• Lead the delivery of water, wastewater, and essential services for one of Cape York's largest Aboriginal communities.
• Oversee a team delivering services that directly support community health, wellbeing, and liveability.
• Circa $130K + Super + subsidised Housing + other benefits

Manager Essential Services

• Lead the delivery of water, wastewater, and essential services for one of Cape York's largest Aboriginal communities.
• Oversee a team delivering services that directly support community health, wellbeing, and liveability.
• Circa $130K + Super + subsidised Housing + other benefits

Lead Critical Infrastructure | Build Community Capability | Create Lasting Impact

The Council

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council is a progressive and community-focused entity serving one of the largest Aboriginal communities on the Cape York Peninsula. Known as the "Place of Many Waters", Kowanyama is home to a proud and resilient community with a strong cultural identity and a clear vision for the future. Council is committed to delivering high-quality services, strengthening community wellbeing, and creating opportunities through innovation, collaboration, and capability building. Located on the western side of the Cape, Kowanyama offers an authentic remote lifestyle surrounded by stunning wetlands, river systems, and some of the best fishing in Australia. The community continues to invest in critical infrastructure and services, including major upgrades to its water and wastewater assets, ensuring a strong platform for future growth.

The Role

Reporting to the Executive Manager Roads, Infrastructure and Essential Services, the Essential Services Manager is responsible for the operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the community's water supply, wastewater, essential service infrastructure and Garbage Disposal. The role oversees a small operational team and contractors, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and strong oversight across WHS compliance.

This is a hands-on leadership position where your expertise will help safeguard community health and wellbeing through the effective management of water treatment systems, sewerage infrastructure, waste services, and associated assets. With a significant treatment plant upgrade currently underway, you will play a key role in supporting major infrastructure improvements while also leading day-to-day service delivery and asset maintenance.

About You

You are an experienced water and wastewater professional who combines strong technical capability with practical leadership skills. You have experience managing essential service infrastructure, developing and mentoring teams and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and legislation. You may come from local government, a water authority, utilities provider or a similar operational environment. Equally important is your ability to build relationships and work respectfully alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. You are committed to mentoring and developing local staff, creating a positive team culture, and fostering pride in both the workplace and the wider community. Resilient, solutions-focused, and adaptable, you are motivated by the opportunity to make a genuine and visible contribution in a remote community setting.

Why This Role

This is more than a technical leadership position. It is an opportunity to become part of a welcoming community, contribute to meaningful outcomes and see the impact of your work every day. Your expertise will help support critical services that underpin community life while building local capability for the future. In return, Council offers a highly competitive package including subsidised accommodation, a fully maintained vehicle for use in community, travel and locality allowance, relocation support, five weeks annual leave, professional development opportunities, and the chance to enjoy an enviable Cape York lifestyle. For the right person, this is a rare opportunity to combine professional challenge, purpose, and adventure in a rewarding role.

Applications will close at 10pm on Monday 26th October 2026.