Principal Assistant Energy and Water Ombudsman

Ombudsman Western Australian; Perth; On-site; AUD 213,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

Ombudsman Western Australia seeks an Executive Leader to strengthen EWOWA’s sustainability and build an intelligence‑led service across WA’s energy and water sectors.

You will lead the Energy and Water Ombudsman function, advise the Board, and help EWOWA respond to climate resilience, energy transition and affordability pressures while delivering better outcomes for consumers.

Responsibilities

• Create an environment where people perform at their best.
• Lead change and service improvement in operational processes.
• Use data, intelligence, and engagement to achieve better outcomes.
• Build credibility across government, industry, and community sectors.
• Leverage customer service or dispute resolution experience to drive fairness.
• Keep consumer needs central, including vulnerable and underrepresented communities throughout WA.

Job description

Lead a trusted, future-ready energy and water dispute resolution service: 5-year contract $250,000 salary package (including Superannuation).

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this land. We recognise the continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and recognise the strength, resilience and diversity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this land.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Ombudsman Western Australia as Principal Assistant Ombudsman, Energy and Water and play a key role in shaping the organisation's future. The position is offered as a five-year fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of extension.

About the Western Australian Ombudsman

• Protects People’s Rights: we give people a way to ensure they are heard when they feel they’ve been treated unfairly.
• Improves Services and Build Trust in Government: we can investigate how services are delivered and bring weaknesses to the attention of decision-makers. In doing so, we improve service delivery for all Western Australians.
• Prevents Harm: through death reviews, investigations and oversight of how organisations respond to allegations of child related harm, we identify opportunities to prevent deaths and strengthen the safety net around children.
• Supports Vulnerable Communities: we can focus on people who are often overlooked or disadvantaged, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are considered.

The Ombudsman also undertakes the role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman and is the Charitable Trusts Commissioner.

Staff of the Ombudsman’s Office

Our people are at the heart of the Ombudsman’s Office and central to its success. We are committed to supporting employees to grow and thrive through ongoing education, training and professional development opportunities. Flexible work arrangements may also be negotiated, helping employees balance their professional and personal commitments.

Equity and Diversity

The Ombudsman’s office provides services to a diverse range of people within the Western Australian community, and is committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce. We encourage people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and women and young people to apply. The office of the Ombudsman may prioritise recruitment decisions based on the Equal Opportunity Act Western Australia 1984 (EOA 1984). The Ombudsman’s office is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position under Section 51 of the EOA 1984 as a measure to achieve equality and increase workforce representation of Aboriginal people.

The position is covered by the Public Sector CSA Agreement 2024 and is located in the CBD, Perth Western Australia.

This Position

This is an opportunity to lead a respected independent service through an important period of change, with a clear mandate to modernise systems, improve data and insight capability, and strengthen EWOWA’s impact across Western Australia’s energy and water sectors. EWOWA resolves disputes between individual and small business consumers and energy and water providers. The next phase calls for strategic leadership, service innovation, and the ability to turn insights into better practice and outcomes.

We are seeking an Executive Leader to strengthen EWOWA’s sustainability and grow a responsive, intelligence-led service that improves outcomes beyond individual complaints. Reporting to the Ombudsman and being very responsive to the Board, you will lead the Energy and Water Ombudsman function, advising the Board and key stakeholders, and helping EWOWA respond to emerging issues including climate resilience, energy transition, water infrastructure, affordability pressures and changing community expectations.

You will lead a capable team, promote a safe and inclusive culture, and build trusted relationships with regulators, industry, small business, consumer advocates, government agencies, and community organisations.

Key responsibilities

• Create an environment where people perform at their best.
• Lead change and service improvement in operational processes.
• Use data, intelligence, and engagement to achieve better outcomes.
• Build credibility across government, industry, and community sectors.
• Leverage customer service or dispute resolution experience to drive fairness.
• Keep consumer needs central, including the needs of vulnerable and underrepresented communities throughout WA.

This role offers a rare opportunity to lead a service that supports Western Australians and drives better practice across the energy and water sectors. You will help ensure EWOWA remains trusted, effective, and future ready, while strengthening customer confidence in the Scheme’s accessibility and fairness.

All key responsibilities and selection criteria are outlined in the attached Job Description Form.

Security Clearance

A current, satisfactory National Police Certificate will be required prior to commencing employment.

Other Information

To achieve a broad field of applicants, we may conduct an executive search and may use this process to continue to recruit applicants after the closing date for executive search applicants. This recruitment process may be used to fill similar temporary or permanent positions over the next 12 months.

Closing Date: Applications must be received by Tuesday 06 October 2026 , 5:00pm (WST). Late applications will not be accepted.