Marine Hydrographer

Current Jobs; Northern Beaches Council; Hybrid; AUD 104,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) - Manly Hydraulics Laboratory seeks a Marine Hydrographer to lead offshore deployments and coastal monitoring projects in NSW. You will manage vessel planning, field teams, and data collection for Waverider programs and tide monitoring networks.

The ongoing role requires coordinating equipment, vessels and contractors, ensuring safety and data quality, and supporting coastal engineering and environmental monitoring tasks

Qualifications

• Experience leading offshore or nearshore marine field deployments and recovery operations.
• Experience deployment, servicing, recovery and fault-finding of oceanographic, hydrographic or environmental monitoring equipment.
• Ability to plan and coordinate specialist vessel-based operations, including personnel, vessels, lifting and deck equipment, moorings, instrumentation, logistics and contingency arrangements.
• Sound judgement in assessing marine conditions and operational risks, applying approved controls and stopping or modifying work where conditions are unsafe.
• Experience briefing and directing small field crews or contractors during technically complex work on or near water.
• Practical mechanical, electrical and instrumentation skills relevant to sensors, power supplies, telemetry, moorings, connectors, housings and marine equipment.
• Experience collecting, processing, checking and documenting oceanographic, hydrographic or environmental monitoring data.

Responsibilities

• Lead offshore and coastal field deployments from planning and mobilisation through to recovery, demobilisation and reporting.
• Deploy, service and recover Waverider buoys, offshore tide gauges, moorings, anchors and telemetry.
• Plan vessel, equipment, personnel, contractor, weather-window, logistics and contingency requirements for offshore work.
• Prepare and brief field teams on work methods, hazards, controls, communications and stop-work criteria.
• Operate and coordinate small vessels and work with vessel masters during offshore operations.
• Inspect, configure, test, calibrate, troubleshoot and maintain marine monitoring equipment.
• Collect and manage wave, water-level and other oceanographic data and ensure accurate records.
• Coordinate with clients and contractors and review safety, insurance and performance documentation.
• Undertake marine monitoring work across NSW with overnight travel and variable conditions.

Skills

Offshore deployments

Oceanographic equipment

Vessel operations planning

Field team leadership

Safety risk assessment

Data collection & QA

Technical problem solving

Reading technical procedures

Education

Boat licence / Coxswain (Grade 1)

Forklift licence

First Aid certificate

Relevant qualifications or equivalent industry experience

Job description

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

• Ongoing full-time (35 hours per week) opportunity
• Office location Manly Vale, hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $104,347 to $115,132 + super

Lead specialist offshore field deployments and recovery operations for the NSW Waverider Program, offshore tide gauges and other marine monitoring systems

Join Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) and help deliver critical coastal and marine monitoring programs that support communities, government and industry across New South Wales.

About the role

The Marine Hydrographer is an ongoing specialist role in the Coastal & Marine team, where you will lead and undertake specialist offshore and nearshore field operations. The role contributes directly to the NSW Waverider Program, offshore tide monitoring networks, marine services and coastal engineering and environmental monitoring projects.

You will plan, lead and safely execute vessel-based deployments, servicing and recovery of Waverider buoys, offshore tide gauges, moorings and associated telemetry and instrumentation. This includes coordinating equipment, vessels, field crews and contractors; assessing operational conditions; resolving technical issues; and ensuring equipment and data are returned safely and fit for purpose.

What you will be doing

• Lead offshore and coastal field deployments from planning and mobilisation through to recovery, demobilisation and reporting.
• Deploy, service and recover Waverider buoys, offshore tide gauges, moorings, anchors, acoustic releases, telemetry and other oceanographic instrumentation.
• Plan vessel, equipment, personnel, contractor, weather-window, logistics and contingency requirements for offshore work.
• Prepare and brief field teams on work methods, roles, hazards, controls, communications, emergency arrangements and stop-work criteria.
• Operate and coordinate small vessels and work with vessel masters and contractors during offshore lifting, towing, mooring and instrument‑handling operations.
• Inspect, configure, test, calibrate, troubleshoot, service and maintain marine monitoring equipment before, during and after deployment.
• Diagnose faults in sensors, power systems, telemetry, moorings and mechanical components and implement practical field‑based solutions within approved procedures.
• Collect, download, process, quality assure and manage wave, water‑level and other oceanographic or hydrographic data.
• Maintain accurate deployment records, asset histories, field notes, photographs, configuration records and technical reports.
• Coordinate concurrent priorities and communicate clearly with senior staff, clients, vessel operators, contractors and other stakeholders.
• Ensure contractors are appropriately procured and managed, including reviewing relevant skills, safety records, insurance records and performance.
• Contribute to improved deployment methods, equipment reliability, field documentation, technical procedures and safe systems of work.
• Undertake marine, estuarine, riverine and coastal monitoring work elsewhere in NSW, including overnight travel and work in variable weather and sea conditions.

Key skills and experience

Required

• Demonstrated experience leading and personally undertaking offshore or nearshore marine field deployments and recovery operations.
• Demonstrated practical experience with deployment, servicing, recovery and fault‑finding of oceanographic, hydrographic or environmental monitoring equipment.
• Ability to plan and coordinate specialist vessel‑based operations, including personnel, vessels, lifting and deck equipment, moorings, instrumentation, logistics and contingency arrangements.
• Sound judgement in assessing marine conditions and operational risks, applying approved controls and stopping or modifying work where conditions are unsafe.
• Experience briefing and directing small field crews or contractors during technically complex work on or near water.
• Practical mechanical, electrical and instrumentation skills relevant to sensors, power supplies, telemetry, moorings, connectors, housings and marine equipment.
• Experience designing, assembling, inspecting or maintaining mooring systems, including anchors, chain, rope, swivels, shackles and recovery arrangements.
• Ability to read and apply technical procedures, deployment plans, equipment manuals, risk controls and vessel operating requirements.
• Experience collecting, processing, checking and documenting oceanographic, hydrographic or environmental monitoring data.
• Ability to prepare clear field records, technical reports and advice and to communicate effectively with clients and operational stakeholders.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively, manage competing priorities and deliver safe, timely and high‑quality outcomes.

Highly Desirable

• Direct experience with Datawell Waverider buoys or equivalent directional wave buoys.
• Direct experience with offshore tide gauges, subsea pressure sensors, acoustic releases, telemetry and remote marine communications systems.
• Experience with deck machinery, lifting equipment, winches, A‑frames, cranes, towing arrangements and safe manual handling of heavy marine equipment.
• Commercial vessel‑handling experience and experience working with vessel masters during offshore operations.
• Knowledge of coastal processes, oceanography, hydrography, wave and tide measurement, data quality assurance and marine asset management.
• Experience supervising contractors and maintaining asset inventories.

Essential requirements

• Appropriate qualifications or equivalent industry experience. Ability and willingness to safely carry out all duties working on or near water, in the natural environment and urban environment including wastewater and stormwater systems.
• Current Boat licence/Coxswain certificate (Grade 1).
• Current licence to operate a Forklift truck.
• Demonstrate swimming/rescue (up to 200m) assessment.
• Current First Aid certificate or commitment to obtain within six months.
• A valid NSW driver’s licence and willingness to travel, including overnight stay and fieldwork.
• Must pass a Royal Life Saving swim and rescue assessment within the probationary period and biennial thereafter.

About Manly Hydraulics Laboratory

MHL provides specialist and impartial advice in coastal and water engineering and water‑flow assurance, using physical and numerical modelling, NATA‑accredited facilities and extensive data collection programs. MHL is a business unit within the Water Group of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Why this role matters

This ongoing role will strengthen business‑critical coastal and marine capability supporting the NSW Waverider Program, offshore tide monitoring, marine services and high‑demand coastal project work. It will support continuity of critical services, specialist capability development and workforce resilience.

For more information read the full Role Description: Marine Hydrographer MHL

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.

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.

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.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube and LinkedIn.

Advertised: 31 Aug 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 14 Sep 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time