Senior Climate Adaptation Planner - Hybrid Work & High Impact

Sydney Water; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work Environment

Wellbeing support

Private health insurance discount

Parental leave

Fitness Passport

Novated Leasing

Job summary

Sydney Water is seeking a Senior Planner – Climate Change Adaptation to shape resilience across water and wastewater services. You will co-lead the S-CCROA framework, embed climate risk into long-term planning, and collaborate with Strategy & Sustainability, Finance and Planning teams.

You will develop practical tools, deliver training, and influence investment decisions to embed climate considerations into future infrastructure and operations.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Infrastructure Management, Planning, Science, or a related discipline.
• Strategic thinker with proven experience in planning, influencing, negotiation, and facilitation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in preparing advice for senior management and the Executive/Board.
• Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation, climate risk assessment, resilience planning, infrastructure planning or asset management.
• Strong understanding of vulnerability assessment, climate risk, and adaptation planning principles.
• Experience developing frameworks, methodologies, guidance materials or decision-support tools.
• Proven ability to lead and manage complex projects and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including workshop facilitation, stakeholder presentations and preparation of executive-level advice.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into practical business outcomes and planning decisions.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Planning, Sustainability or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead Sydney Water's System Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment (S-CCROA) Framework development and implementation.
• Shape how climate risks and opportunities are identified, assessed and managed across Sydney Water's water and wastewater systems.
• Develop climate planning methodologies, tools, guidance and supporting governance arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with planners, engineers, operational teams and sustainability specialists to embed climate resilience into long-term planning.
• Deliver climate adaptation training, workshops and capability uplift initiatives across the business.
• Influence strategic investment and planning decisions by providing expert advice on climate risks, opportunities and adaptation responses.
• Drive continuous improvement of climate risk management practices through piloting, stakeholder engagement and incorporation of industry leading practice.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Project management

Analytical thinking

Facilitation

Executive advisory

Planning influence

Education

Engineering

Environmental Science

Climate Science

Planning

Sustainability

Job description

Sydney Water is seeking a Senior Planner – Climate Change Adaptation to shape resilience across water and wastewater services. You will co-lead the S-CCROA framework, embed climate risk into long-term planning, and collaborate with Strategy & Sustainability, Finance and Planning teams.

You will develop practical tools, deliver training, and influence investment decisions to embed climate considerations into future infrastructure and operations.