Manager Water Treatment & Quality

WIOA; Wodonga; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Professional development

Annual salary increases and superannu

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Wellbeing support

Job summary

North East Water in Victoria seeks a Manager Water Treatment & Quality to lead the Water Quality & Resources team across 21 plants. You will drive water quality, resource compliance and treatment, providing strategic guidance and ensuring data integrity.

The role demands strong leadership, financial controls and a focus on cost optimisation, with flexible working options and a pathway to enhanced service delivery.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant science or applied science and/or extensive leadership experience in water/operational discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership of high performing teams in operational indoor/outdoor environments.
• Experience with regulators and regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance.
• Strong skills in financial controls and budgeting, including budget management.
• Experience in project management and/or systems management leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, support and guidance to the Water Quality & Resources team and related teams.
• Ensure timely, effective and compliant operational services focusing on water quality and resource compliance.
• Day-to-day management of people and functions of the treatment technician and operations teams.
• Oversee and manage over $8m in operational expenditure including budgets for maintenance, chemicals and laboratories.
• Provide strategic advice and ensure data integrity.
• Optimize existing water treatment infrastructure and operations to reduce costs.
• Lead and support emergency response to manage non-compliance.
• Ensure plants adhere to the Health-Based Targets framework or have a clear path to compliance.
• Identify, communicate and address risks to safe drinking water delivery and resources.
• Work with NEW to embed Safe Drinking Water legislation and best practice into planning and uplift projects.
• Maintain relationships with the Department of Health and ensure SDW compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Financial controls

Budgeting

Project management

Education

Science degree or applied science

Job description

North East Water provides water and sewage services to over 110,000 people across 39 towns with 21 water treatment plants throughout north east Victoria. As the Manager Water Treatment & Quality you will play vital role in ensuring efficient, safe and reliable water services focusing on water quality and resource compliance, and water treatment. This role is a rare and exciting opportunity to utilise your skills and experience across our 21 water treatment plants!

In this role you will provide valued leadership, support and guidance to our Water Quality & Resources team, a team of specialised Treatment Technicians, our Lead Coordinator Water Treatment and the 3 Water Treatment teams, and our Operations Engineer.

This role is a full-time ongoing opportunity, including 12 days work life balance leave and flexible work options available.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, support and guidance to the Water Quality & Resources team, a team of specialised Treatment Technicians, our Lead Coordinator Water Treatment and the 3 Water Treatment teams, and our Operations Engineer.
• Ensuring timely, effective and compliant operational services focusing on water quality and water resource compliance, and water treatment.
• Provide day-to-day management of the people and functions of the treatment technician and treatment operations teams.
• Managing over $8m in operational expenditure, including oversight of maintenance, chemical and laboratory services budgets.
• Providing strategic advice and ensuring data integrity.
• Optimising existing water treatment infrastructure and operations to reduce operational expenditure.
• Leading and supporting emergency response to manage non-compliance.
• Ensuring water treatment plants adhere to the Health-Based Targets (HBT) framework or have a clear pathway to compliance.
• Identifying, communicating and addressing immediate and emerging risks to safe drinking water delivery and water resources.
• Working collaboratively across NEW to embed adherence to Safe Drinking Water (SDW) legislation and best practice into planning processes and infrastructure uplifts.
• Maintaining positive working relationships with the Department of Health, including adherence to SDW legislation and regulations.

To view the position description, please visit www.newater.com.au/careers

Key Selection Criteria

1. Tertiary qualification in a relevant science or applied science and/or extensive experience in a key leadership role in a water, operational or similar discipline.
2. Demonstrated leadership of high performing teams in an operational indoor and outdoor environment.
3. Experience working with and responding to regulators and regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance.
4. Demonstrated skills in financial controls and budgeting including budget management.
5. Experience in project management and/or systems management leadership.

Working at North East Water

North East Water is a leader in a unique and rewarding industry. This is thanks to our team who makes sure we exceed the expectations of our customers and communities. We’re committed to providing a respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment, and offer a range of benefits to our people, including:

• Our state-of-the-art regional headquarters (with our fabulous atrium),
• Getting out and about in the beautiful north east region,
• Great work-life balance with a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working, compressed hours and the option to purchase additional leave,
• Professional development through on-the-job and external training, leadership development programs, study assistance, mentoring and secondment opportunities,
• Annual salary increases and superannuation,
• Wide variety of leave types including 1 paid day off per month to use as you choose,
• 15 weeks paid primary caregiver leave and 3 weeks secondary caregiver leave,
• 24/7 confidential wellbeing support and psychology sessions available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP),
• Discounted gym and pool memberships throughFitness Passport,
• Musculoskeletal reimbursements for allied health treatments,
• Discounted private health cover,
• Onsite flu vaccination and skin check clinics annually,
• Social club,
• Bring your dog to work,
• plus much, much more! https://www.newater.com.au/careers/why-work-with-us

Position Information

• Salary information: An attractive total remuneration package is available, depending on skills and experience. For a confidential conversation, please contact John Day, General Manager Environment, Systems & Operations on 0409 959 841.
• Location: Primarily based at our Regional Headquarters in Wodonga.
• This role involves occasional travel to visit our Water Treatment & Treatment Technician teams spread throughout the region, with pool vehicles available for any travel required.
• Employment Type: This is a full time, ongoing including 12 days work life balance leave and flexible work options available (such as a 9-day fortnight).
• Pre-employment checks: Successful applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment checks including a police check and pre-employment medical and functional testing prior to commencement (organised and paid for by NEW).
• Application requirement: Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

Have questions? Get in touch!

Please do not hesitate to contact John Day, General Manager Environment, Systems & Operations on 0409 959 841.

Alternatively, you can contact Sienna from our People & Culture team via email [e-mail]

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 8 November 2026.