Senior Engineer Planning

Westernport Water; Newhaven; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Westernport Water is seeking a Senior Engineer - Planning to lead strategic water and wastewater infrastructure planning across short, medium and long term horizons. You will turn strategic ideas into practical solutions, drive investment priorities, build business cases and provide executive-level input to support sound decisions.

You will strengthen planning processes, governance, and technical standards while ensuring regulatory compliance and asset performance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in engineering leading to admission to the Institute of Engineers (Australia) for professionally qualified engineers.
• Substantial experience in water & wastewater planning.
• Experience with asset management systems and asset management information systems.
• Experience in the application of SCADA, water or sewer modelling systems.
• Knowledge of the Water Act (1989) and related Acts applying to the water industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and review of strategic water and wastewater infrastructure plans and servicing strategies.
• Develop and prioritise infrastructure investment requirements, including evidence to support regulatory pricing submissions.
• Lead infrastructure options assessments and business cases, balancing technical, economic, customer, risk and whole‑of‑life considerations.
• Establish and improve infrastructure planning processes, methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Provide strategic technical input into asset management policies, strategies, plans and investment decisions.
• Provide technical advice across water and wastewater projects to ensure alignment with approved standards and design principles.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams, contractors, suppliers and key stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Provide high‑quality asset performance reporting and advice to Executive, Board and regulatory stakeholders.
• Champion a safety-first culture and compliance with occupational health, environmental and asset management systems.
• Encourage innovation, initiative and collaboration in delivering organisational objectives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Asset management

SCADA experience

GIS & water models

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Engineering qualification leading to admission to Engineers Australia

Job description

Westernport Water's core functions are to provide drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to properties and communities throughout our district.

We are one of 18 water corporations operating and reporting to the State Government of Victoria.

We are responsible for servicing 23,688 customers from 27 townships across an area covering 300 square kilometres, encompassing Millowl (Phillip Island) and mainland communities from The Gurdies to Archies Creek.

The region has one of the highest ratios of visitors to residents of any destination in Australia. During peak periods, there can be approximately 120 visitors to every resident.

We offer our staff

• Flexible work options, including monthly RDOs and 9-day fortnights for full time employees
• A range of provisions to support work/life balance including access to request purchased leave
• Unique opportunities for staff to develop capability and contribute to the strategic objectives of the organisation
• Innovative systems and processes for a safe and welcoming workplace,
• A highly regarded health and wellbeing program, including a health and wellbeing subsidy (eligibility criteria applies)
• Tailored workplace adjustments to help you perform at your best - whether during the recruitment process or in your role
• We foster a positive, culturally safe environment and an engaged workforce, aligned with our values of ‘Care, Courage and Commitment'
• Accessible onsite parking for our employees at all our sites including at our head office in Newhaven, Phillip Island Victoria.

About the role

Senior Executive Officer

We are seeking an experienced Senior Engineer - Planning to lead the strategic planning of water and wastewater infrastructure across the short, medium and long term.

This is a key technical leadership role responsible for turning strategic and conceptual ideas into practical infrastructure solutions that deliver strong customer, asset and business outcomes. You will lead infrastructure planning and investment priorities, develop business cases and options assessments, and provide strategic advice to support sound, evidence-based investment decisions.

You will also play an important role in strengthening planning processes, technical standards and governance, while driving regulatory compliance, asset performance and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Lead the development and review of strategic water and wastewater infrastructure plans and servicing strategies.
• Develop and prioritise infrastructure investment requirements, including evidence to support regulatory pricing submissions.
• Lead infrastructure options assessments and business cases, balancing technical, economic, customer, risk and whole-of-life considerations.
• Establish and improve infrastructure planning processes, methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Provide strategic technical input into asset management policies, strategies, plans and investment decisions.
• Provide technical advice across water and wastewater projects to ensure alignment with approved standards and design principles.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams, contractors, suppliers and key stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Provide high-quality asset performance reporting and advice to Executive, Board and regulatory stakeholders.
• Champion a safety-first culture and compliance with occupational health, environmental and asset management systems.
• Encourage innovation, initiative and collaboration in delivering organisational objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

• The candidate is required to have a tertiary qualification in engineering leading to admission to the Institute of Engineers (Australia) for professionally qualified engineers.
• Substantial experience in a similar role preferably in water & wastewater planning
• Substantial experience in asset strategy, asset management systems and asset management information systems.
• Experience in the application of SCADA, water or sewer modelling systems.
• Knowledge of current developments and regulations applying to the water industry including a working knowledge and understanding of the Water Act (1989) and associated Acts applicable to the water industry.

For your application to be considered, please respond to the following Key Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualification in engineering (Civil or Mechanical Engineering preferred) leading to admission to the Institute of Engineers (Australia) for professionally qualified engineers.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of strategic asset management standards applying to the water industry and all relevant legislation and regulations.
• Substantial experience in providing strategic decisions, advice and direction in relation to short and long-term planning.
• Demonstrated ability to identify asset optimisation opportunities and implement change management processes that influence and dictate ongoing business behaviours.
• Proven experience working with Asset Management Information Systems (AMIS), SCADA, GIS, water and sewer models and their use within an infrastructure or facilities management environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare complex written reports, strategies, policy and procedures.

Applications Close 5 October 2026 - Applications will be reviewed, and interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis prior to the closing date. Early submission is encouraged.

Screening Process

Please note the successful applicant will be required to provide a valid Police Check and may also be required to provide an Employee Working with Children Check. Reimbursement for checks will be available for successful applicants on commencement of the role.

Westernport Water is committed to building and maintaining a team of talented, enthusiastic people who foster a culture of inclusion and are as diverse as the community we serve. We celebrate and support differences in the workplace for the benefit of our employees and our community. We share a belief that work is more rewarding when we are accepted and valued for our differences, not judged by them. We all have something to contribute, and it's this contribution that makes for a great organisation and fulfilling career.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. We offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Work in a close team and lead the strategic planning of water and wastewater infrastructure across the short, medium and long term.