Who We Are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, we care for water, life and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet or kayak down the Yarra, we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what’s right, you're in the right place.

About The Role

Reporting to the Manager Water Supply Southern Operations this is a pivotal leadership role within the Water Supply Operations team.

As the Lead Operator based in Surrey Hills you will be responsible for providing practical hands-on operational expertise into planned works and system augmentations.

This is a great opportunity to showcase your operational and leadership experience in a varied role, responsible for both operations and providing guidance and direction to a small team.

This will be achieved through:

• Participate in key works planning meetings and review processes, providing operational input into the works program, outage planning, advising of simultaneous operations risks and resourcing requirements
• Assisting the outages team, reviewing and planning delivery of outages
• Providing urgent and emergency operational assistance during critical periods
• Co-ordinate commissioning of new plant and equipment, contractors’ permits and isolations and ensure safe operating procedures are followed and the site continues to operate with the Operating envelope.
• Provide emergency response to system failures, identifying cause and effect, ensuring prompt recovery of operations.
• Develop the capability of all team members focusing on performance & system optimization
• Analyse plant operations and develop and recommend system configurations, plant adjustments and strategies to optimise system performance and ongoing compliance.
• Prioritise routine inspections to be undertaken, to ensure that all key works are undertaken even if the team is short-staffed on a particular day.
• Monitor and review plant operation and system performance using telemetered data in SCADA and internal reporting mechanisms.
• Manage incidents, record on IRIS, manage debriefs, lead incident investigations and take corrective action as necessary.
• Provide advice on operational and procedural change to resolve operational failures that may be outside the scope of normal operating conditions or precedent. 

For more information please review the Position Description: Lead Operator (Surrey Hills) .pdf

About You

• Proven leadership experience.
• Ability to make decisions and remain focused in a rigorous technical environment.
• Sound knowledge of water treatment plants & water transfer network
• Excellent level of oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Highly developed knowledge of SCADA systems & mobility.
• Strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet & database applications.
• Cert III in Water Operations or similar.
• Obtain AusCheck Clearance. (please see important information below*) 
• Medical assessment and VIC Driver’s licence required.

Why Join Us

At Melbourne Water, we care about water and all life that springs from it.

Our people are fuelled by passion, and with safety at the forefront, we have an unwavering sense of purpose and are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We walk the talk when it comes to flexible working – but that’s not all. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning permeates everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, neurodivergent individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and care deeply for public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive an application and learn if you could be a great fit.

How To Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Sunday 10^th May at 11:55pm AEST

*Important Information

The Security of Critical Infrastructure (SoCI) Act 2018 requires Melbourne Water, as an operator of critical infrastructure, to prepare a Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP), which has been undertaken and managed by the Security and Emergency Management Team.

Melbourne Water are required to assess roles across Melbourne Water to determine what roles are critical under the Act. All employees working in a role deemed SOCI critical will require additional background checks via AusCheck. This role is deemed critical, and the preferred applicant will be asked to undertake an AusCheck.

The AusCheck process is outlined clearly in this presentation provided by AusCheck CI Critical Worker: Getting Started Guide | Rise 360 (articulate.com).