Network Ranger

Hunter Water Cooperation; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 83,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional Public Holidays

Carers Leave

Community Service Leave

Parental Leave (14 weeks)

Fitness passport

Discounted health fund

Employee Assistance program

Job summary

Hunter Water Corporation is seeking an ongoing Network Ranger for our Tomago Depot in NSW. You will support dam safety inspections, surveillance of catchments, and maintenance across assets with a strong emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance.

The role requires weekend roster involvement, after-hours callouts and the ability to work across multiple sites. A 24/7 operation means occasional overnight stays and flexibility in hours.

Qualifications

• Class C Drivers licence required.
• Construction Induction Card essential.
• CPR/First Aid training current.
• Ability to work in teams and independently.
• Experience in off-road driving and safe 4WD operation.
• Ability to interpret plans and maps.
• Knowledge of Hunter Water operations area.
• WHS/Environmental/Quality systems experience.
• Competent with MS Office and learning new systems.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Boat licence beneficial.
• Dam safety compliance knowledge.
• Water/wastewater assets experience.
• Contract management and supervising contractors.
• Catchment management principles knowledge.
• Ability to read meteorological data and perform basic calculations.
• Proven teamwork and customer focus.

Responsibilities

• Perform Dam Safety inspections and report findings.
• Patrol catchments for weeds, pests, unauthorised activity using 4WD/boat.
• Monitor infrastructure like floodgates, fish ladders, tunnels and canals.
• Operate machinery including tractor, forklift and mower.
• Carry out grounds maintenance and asset care.
• Assist in bushfire management and incident response.
• Liaise with public, police and councils; coordinate with contractors.
• Support operation and maintenance of dams and ancillary equipment.
• Be available for weekend roster and after-hours callouts as required.
• Complete safety inspections and report issues in HWC systems.
• Assist with tankering and generator logistics as needed.
• Assist trades with heavy lifting and confined space safety observations.
• Perform routine duties including cleaning and stock management.

Skills

Driver’s licence

Construction Induction Card

CPR/First Aid

Team & independent work

Off-road driving

Reading maps/plans

WHs/QA awareness

MS Office

Effective communication

Boat licence

Dam safety knowledge

Regulatory/compliance experience

Land management

Water/wastewater operations

Contract management

Catchment management

Meteorological data interpretation

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Customer focus

Continuous improvement

Job description

• Support the sustainable delivery of an essential service to the Lower Hunter community

We are seeking an ongoing Network Ranger to join our Electrical & Mechanical Maintenance Team in our Customer Delivery Division.

Our Company

At Hunter Water our Values define who we are as an organisation and how we behave. We strive to live these Values and it is shown in the work we do and the way in which we interact with each other.

We fundamentally believe in and commit to diversity and inclusion. We value an individual's unique capabilities, backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. We rely on these diverse perspectives to drive innovation and collaboration, to deliver the best outcome for our customers and communities.

It is this diversity of perspectives that will enable Hunter Water to meet the challenges of the future. We strive to create an inclusive environment where there is genuine equality of opportunity regardless of people's gender, age, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and/or family status. We encourage you to apply and welcome all applications.

We have embarked on a new strategic direction to build a more innovative, collaborative and resilient organisation that is a thought leader in developing a sustainable water and wastewater future.

At Hunter Water we offer a range of employee benefits. For this position, these will include, but are not limited to:

Excellent flexible working and additional leave benefits including

• Additional Public Holidays, RDOs
• 5 days additional paid Carers Leave per annum
• Paid Community Service Leave
• 14 weeks paid Parental Leave for both parents
• Fitness passport
• Access to discounted health fund and health services
• Access to the Employee Assistance program

Remuneration & Hours

• Base salary up to $92,400 plus superannuation
• Additional earnings for participation in after hours on call rosters and performing associated call out work
• Reward and Recognition Program

The Opportunity

As the Network Ranger you will be responsible for supporting the inspection and reporting of dam safety activities at Hunter Water's two main dams, along with Hunter Water's detention basins.

Network Rangers are also responsible for completing surveillance activities, operational inspections and maintenance within Hunter Water's catchments, network, depot, and special areas to meet operational and regulatory needs.

This role will be required to work with minimal supervision and is also required to be willing and able to participate in the weekend Dams & Catchment overtime roster and be on call for incident response and to provide relief in other roles. Due to the 24/7 nature of Hunter Water's operation of our assets these requirements include working outside normal hours and on occasion overnight stays.

The position is based out of Hunter Water's Tomago Depot with the requirement to work from any location throughout our area of operations as required.

What you'll do

• Completing routine Dam Safety Inspections and submit necessary reports.
• Patrolling, surveillance and reporting within Hunter Water's catchment for weeds, feral animals, unauthorised access and prohibited activities using the Corporation's 4WD vehicle or boat.
• Routine monitoring of catchment parameters, recording equipment, and condition assessments for infrastructure assets such as floodgates, fish ladders, tunnels and canals. Monitoring work includes inspecting, reading, sampling, testing, recording, conducting safety assessments and reporting.
• Operate various types of machinery including but not limited to a tractor, forklift and mower.
• Grounds maintenance activities including but not limited to mowing, rubbish removal and care and maintenance of public amenities
• Assist with bushfire management and prevention on Hunter Water lands and catchments which may comprise emergency response.
• Liaise with the public and key external stakeholders (i.e. Police, local councils, regulatory authorities)
• Liaise with and supervise subcontractors within Hunter Water's catchment areas
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of the Corporation's Dams and ancillary equipment
• Participation in the weekend D&C roster ensuring statutory requirements are addressed and reacting to incidents and activities as required. This includes being prepared to stay overnight at Chichester Dam, as required, in significant rain events.
• Complete surveillance and maintenance activities required for Hunter Water's Water and Wastewater pumping stations and associated assets to ensure operability.
• Willingness to complete overtime and/or afterhours callouts where required.
• Undertake site safety inspection and report any damage or issues through HWC systems
• Assist network operations by coordinating activities for tankering and generator requirements. This may include participating in shutdown works after hours
• Lifting of network access holes to assist trades and operations staff in completing their assigned tasks (heavy manual handling task).
• Perform duties of confined space safety observer/rescue person
• Perform general duties as required including but not limited to cleaning, maintenance, forklift operation and stock management

What you'll need to be successful

• Class C Drivers licence
• Construction Induction Card
• Current CPR/Emergency First Aid training
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both in teams and independently
• Experience in off-road driving and ability to operate 4WD vehicles safely
• Experience interpreting basic plans and maps
• Knowledge of/familiarity with Hunter Waters area of operations
• Experience working within the requirements of WHS, Environmental and Quality Management systems
• Intermediate computer skills including ability to use MS Office programs (Excel, Outlook etc.) and ability to learn and use computerised technology and systems as required
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with a broad range of stakeholders including members of the public
• General Boat Licence (and demonstrated ability to safely navigate a registered vessel)
• Experience in Dam safety compliance including associated regulations
• Knowledge of Hunter Water's surface and ground water storage systems
• Experience in a regulatory or enforcement role
• Experience in use of land management practices such as farming, weed and feral pest management and fencing
• Experience working in the operation and/or maintenance of water or wastewater network and assets
• Experiencing managing the movement of trucks and plant on site
• Experience in contract management and supervising contractors to deliver work in accordance with safety, environmental and quality control processes
• Understanding of and experience in water catchments management practices
• Ability to read and record information from meteorological equipment, gauge boards, dosing equipment, piezometers, flow meters, and make minor mathematical calculations
• Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team
• A strong customer focus and a desire to resolve customer issues
• Continuous improvement focus and promotion of high work standards

The following training requirements are not essential on application but are required for this role and the incumbent must be willing and able to complete all mandatory training including, but not limited to:

• Dam Safety Surveillance course
• Working at Heights
• Confined Space access and rescue
• Low voltage rescue and release
• Safe work near overhead powerlines

Application closing date: Tuesday 24 November 2026

We are proud to be an Inclusive Employer committed to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity. People with disability, women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process by getting in contact with the recruiter.

Employment with Hunter Water Corporation may be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to criminal background checks, functional assessment, drug and alcohol testing and psychometric assessment for preferred external applicants.