Senior Water Regulation Officer

Job Details; Newcastle; Hybrid; ZAR 1 431 000 - 1 578 000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental protection agency is seeking a Senior Water Regulation Officer to manage and oversee licensing and approval projects related to sustainable water management. The ideal candidate will have strong collaboration skills and experience in regulatory frameworks. This full-time position offers a salary between $129,464 and $142,665 plus superannuation, with opportunities for hybrid working. Candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and cover letter before the application deadline on 13 November 2025.

Qualifications

• Legislative and regulatory experience in water management.
• Comprehensive understanding of sustainable resource management principles.
• Experience in managing licensing and approval activities.

Responsibilities

• Planning and monitoring licensing and approval-related projects.
• Coordinating inspections and assessments for necessary licenses.
• Leading stakeholder engagement forums for water users.

Skills

Experience in licensing and approvals

Strong collaboration skills

Ability to conduct stakeholder engagement

Understanding of sustainable natural resource management

Job description

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW? Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage. Use your strategy and regulatory experience to contribute to sustainable water management for the environment and communities of NSW.

Key Highlights

• Two temporary opportunities – 6 months and 12 months with possibility of extension.
• Creation of a Talent Pool for future opportunities.
• Full-time at 35 hours per week plus FlexTime.
• Located in Newcastle, Parramatta, or other NSW office locations by negotiation; hybrid working supported.
• Salary relative to experience, ranging from $129,464 to $142,665 plus super.

Opportunity

The Water Group at the Department of Climate Change Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is seeking a Senior Water Regulation Officer to join our Licensing and Approvals team. The role involves planning, undertaking, and monitoring complex and/or sensitive licensing and approval‑related projects and programs to ensure outcomes are consistent with statewide departmental standards.

This role also coordinates inspections, assessments, and determinations of applications for activities requiring a licence or approval, and leads stakeholder engagement forums to provide specialist information to water users, staff, and other community and government partners.

About You

To be successful you will have experience applying legislation, policies, procedures, and other regulatory instruments relevant to licensing and approvals, and a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sustainable natural resource management, especially with respect to floodworks and Floodplain Management Plans.

As a subject‑matter expert you will manage and coordinate multiple licensing and approval activities in accordance with water management legislation, policy, and procedures, protecting natural resources and community access rights while facilitating information‑sharing activities to increase customer and community understanding of water resource legislation and policy frameworks.

You have strong collaboration skills, supporting information sharing and education across DCCEEW Water, NRAR, and WaterNSW teams, transferring knowledge and mentoring peers.

You are experienced in delivering an effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable service, maintaining public confidence in water management regulations within a high‑workload environment.

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) protects the state’s environment and heritage and leads the way on climate change to drive the sustainable transition to a net‑zero economy powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the NSW national park estate, its biodiversity, and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state to support the environment, communities, and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

The Water Group leads the NSW Government in providing confidence to communities and stakeholders through transparent stewardship of water resources, services, and reforms that support sustainable and healthy environments, economies, and societies across NSW.

To Apply

If you are excited by this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close Thursday 13 November 2025 at 11:55 PM.

For further information about the role, please contact Kerry Lee, Manager Licensing and Approvals, Operations Division Water Group.

Looking for more information or assistance applying

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability.
• Information and adjustments for individual needs in the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by email (reference number 545901).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles.

Employment Details

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Current Vacancy: 1

Monthly Salary: $129,464 – $142,665 (includes super)