Project Manager – Wastewater Infrastructure

Alexandrina Council; Goolwa; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Alexandrina Council is seeking a Project Manager – Wastewater Infrastructure to lead strategic long-term wastewater and water-supply infrastructure programs. The role focuses on ensuring renewal and expansion projects are delivered on time and within budget, while maintaining safety, compliance, and service reliability for about 20,000 residents.

The incumbent will interact with regulators, senior management, and a multidisciplinary team to optimise life-cycle outcomes and strengthen regional

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Surveying, Project Management, Construction Management or equivalent.
• 5+ years’ experience in full life-cycle project management within critical infrastructure or utilities.
• Experience with engineering assessments of regional development applications.
• Experience in procurement and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic implementation of long-term wastewater and water-supply infrastructure for the Alexandrina region.
• Ensure quality and timeliness of infrastructure renewal and expansion.
• Coordinate with regulators, management, and field staff to optimise lifecycle outcomes.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and people management to deliver project outcomes.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Engineering/Surveying/PM degree

Job description

Alexandrina Council owns and operates one of the largest water retail businesses in the state of South Australia. The Water Industry’s small but dynamic workgroup oversees regional strategic development, capital works programs, maintenance and operations of over ~$100M in water assets. This essential service is governed by strict process and quality requirements to ensure service reliability to approximately 20,000 residents.

The water business is undergoing unprecedented growth and this position will play an important strategic role in the advancement of the service provision.

Our team manages the operations of wastewater treatment plants, recycled water schemes and network operations to optimise performance whilst complying with regulatory requirements and meeting cost, quality and customer expectations.

The Project Manager – Wastewater Infrastructure position is a contract opportunity within the Council owned utility. The position is responsible for the strategic implementation of long‑term wastewater and water supply infrastructure for the Alexandrina Council region. The position will ensure quality and timeliness of infrastructure renewal & expansion that safeguards the long‑term security and service reliability for our customers.

The incumbent is required to interact with a variety of industry experts, regulators, senior management, field staff and customers in a highly technical and professional manner. Exercising advanced design and project management processes to achieve optimal life‑cycle outcomes. Stakeholder engagement and people management skills will be critical to the success of this role.

This is a unique utility sector position with direct influence on strategy and the direction of the business. Successful delivery of the role will enable sustainable and economic regional growth, while transitioning to a lower environmental footprint and reduced public health risk.

Offering excellent working conditions, this opportunity will reward the right candidate with technical career advancement that could be transferable to diverse process and manufacturing environments.

The role will ensure service sustainability and reduce risk via improvements in;

• Infrastructure strategy & performance
• Utility financial viability
• Operational optimisation
• Enterprise resiliency
• Water supply quality and adequacy
• Customer satisfaction.

Applicants will be assessed on their ability to address the Essential and Desirable Criteria for the position and how their skills and experience will facilitate strategic improvement within the service.

Essential Criteria

• Tertiary qualifications in either Engineering, Surveying, Project Management, Construction Management, or an acceptable and demonstrated equivalent.
• 5+ years’ experience in full life‑cycle project management within a critical infrastructure or utility environment.
• Experience with engineering assessments of regional development applications.
• Experience in procurement and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience with multi-disciplinary projects.
• Current Driver’s License.

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to a changing external environment.
• Wastewater industry experience.
• Local government experience.
• Knowledge of Water Industry legislative environment.
• Formal education in project management.