Position Overview
Permanent, Full-Time or Part-Time opportunity
True hybrid working - work from home and our Mitcham office
$117, $126, % Super
The Role
Are you looking for a role where you can help shape the future of water, Country and community?
Do you thrive on collaboration and systems thinking? Join Yarra Valley Water's Planning for Country team as a Strategic Planner. In this role, you will guide how we care for Country and community through strategic long-term asset and service planning.
Working at the intersection of innovation and tradition, you will collaborate with Traditional Owners, regulators, and industry partners to co-create integrated planning approaches. Your work will balance cultural, environmental, and economic outcomes across the water cycle, exploring new frontiers like circular economy models and nature-based solutions to create a healthier, more resilient future.
About Us
We're on a mission to create a brighter future, where you can be a change maker at the actual source. We're one of Australia's largest water utilities with over 30% of Victoria's population relying on us for their essential water and sanitation services.
Our award-winning culture fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible environment that enables our people to thrive. Here, you'll be inspired and challenged to grow alongside us.
We're committed to reconciliation and supporting the self-determined role for Traditional Owners/Custodians in water and land management.
Your Key Responsibilities
Lead the development of service plans and partnerships that integrate cultural, environmental, social, technical, and commercial drivers, achieving measurable outcomes aligned with YVW's strategy.
Embed Planning for Country principles, Traditional Owner knowledge systems and nature-positive approaches into the planning and stewardship of our services.
Shape the future of water systems through co-design and co-investment across traditional and alternative water planning.
Pilot innovative approaches to sustainable water management, including renewable energy integration, circular systems, and conservation-based design.
Build strong, trusted relationships with Traditional Owners, regulators, partners, and communities to deliver shared outcomes and enduring public value.
What We're Looking For
You're a forward thinker who can connect big-picture strategy to practical outcomes. You bring curiosity, collaboration and courage to tackle complexity - and a genuine commitment to caring for Country and community.
Strong partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
Proven experience in identifying and managing risks and opportunities.
Solid understanding of the water industry and environmental and planning regulations.
Cultural competency and experience working with Traditional Custodians (or equivalent skills).
Experience developing and implementing policy or strategy (ideally in water, environment, or infrastructure).
Desirable: experience in nature-based solutions, built ecology, or conservation land management.
Desirable: skills in co-design, strategic facilitation, or visioning processes.
Please view the full position description to ensure your skills align, click HERE.
Did you know?
Not sure if you meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and underrepresented groups often apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria. At Yarra Valley Water, we are looking for the right person, not just a checklist. If you are passionate about this role and have most of the skills we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
For further information about the role, please contact Kathryn Naylor
Why Yarra Valley Water?
We celebrate and encourage new thinking at every level. Creating opportunities for you to grow - both professionally, and personally. When you flourish, we all do.
$117, $126, % Super
Flexible working arrangements where our people are empowered to design their days with their team. Read our hybrid playbook HERE.
Free and secure on-site parking with on-site café at our Mitcham office
14 weeks paid parental leave
15 days paid personal leave, which can be used for caring, wellbeing, mental health, menstrual or menopause
Request to swap certain public holidays for another day of paid leave
To read more about our benefits and culture, read our employee handbook HERE.
How to apply
Applications should include a supporting Cover Letter and Resume.
Closing date: Friday 13th March 2026
This position is available for Yarra Valley Water employees and external applicants.
We welcome applications from everyone, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, mature age and young job seekers, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and people of all cultural backgrounds. If you need this information in an accessible format or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please call or email If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss the recruitment process, please contact us via email
Successful applicants must be eligible to work in Australia and agree to provide information for pre-employment checks, if required for the position. This may also include a Police Check or AusCheck, where an offer will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of these checks.