Senior Water Planning Officer Talent Pool

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation; Perth; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in Western Australia is seeking two Senior Water Planning Officers (Level 6) to join the Water Allocation Planning Branch and establish a pool of suitable applicants for ongoing permanent appointments. These roles will drive water planning initiatives and related policy developments in a dynamic, science‑based environment.

Senior Officers will lead the development and implementation of water plans and policies, provide expert technical advice,

Qualifications

• Experience in water resource planning and management.
• Strong research and analytical skills to interpret scientific information.
• Proven leadership capability to develop and support teams.
• Excellent communication with reports, presentations, and documentation.
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration to influence outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of water plans and policies.
• Provide expert advice, analyse complex information and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Collaborate with regional teams, government agencies and external stakeholders.
• Mentor staff and foster technical expertise across the department.
• Prepare high-quality reports and represent the department in technical forums.

Skills

Water resource planning

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Senior Water Planning Officer Talent Pool

We are seeking to fill two Senior Water Planning Officer (Level 6) positions in the Water Allocation Planning Branch and establish a pool of suitable applicants to support ongoing and future permanent appointments.

Senior Water Planning Officers lead the development and implementation of water plans, policies and other strategic initiatives that support the sustainable management of Western Australia’s water resources. They provide expert technical advice, analyse complex scientific and policy information, and develop evidence-based recommendations to address water planning challenges.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, regional teams, government agencies and external stakeholders, Senior Water Planning Officers lead complex projects, contribute to policy development and review, prepare high-quality reports and recommendations, and represent the department in technical forums. They also support organisational capability by mentoring staff and fostering technical expertise across the department.

About You

Demonstrated experience in water resource planning and management, with the ability to deliver outcomes, evaluate performance, and drive continuous improvement.

Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex scientific information and provide sound, evidence-based advice.

Proven leadership capability, including developing and supporting teams to achieve objectives within a science-based or technical environment.

Excellent communication skills, with experience preparing reports, presentations, and other documentation, while effectively engaging a range of audiences.

Highly developed stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills, with the ability to build productive relationships, influence outcomes, and communicate technical information effectively.

CLOSING DATE: 4:00pm Friday, 25 September 2026 (Australian Western Standard Time).