Mareeba Shire Council is seeking an experienced Water & Wastewater Operations Leader to coordinate treatment plants, pump stations and reticulation networks across the Shire.
This newly created leadership role strengthens operational capability, embeds structured maintenance planning and ensures regulatory compliance across Council’s water and wastewater assets.
If you have strong wastewater treatment experience, reticulation knowledge and supervisory capability and are ready to step into a structured leadership role this is a genuine opportunity to influence performance, culture and service reliability in a regional Local Government environment.
About the Organisation
Mareeba Shire Council delivers essential water supply and wastewater services to communities across Far North Queensland.
The Water & Waste unit operates treatment plants, sewer pump stations and reticulation networks, ensuring compliance with:
• Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP)
• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
• Environmental Authorities
• Queensland regulatory frameworks
This role strengthens operational leadership across treatment and network functions.
About the Role
Reporting to the Manager Water & Waste, the Coordinator Water & Wastewater provides operational leadership across:
• Water treatment plant operations
• Wastewater treatment plant operations
• Sewer reticulation networks
• Pump stations and field crews
• Planned and reactive maintenance programs
• Compliance reporting and regulatory obligations
The role is approximately 60% office-based and 40% site-based across treatment plants and network assets.
You will coordinate Supervisors and operational staff, embed planned maintenance systems, support SWIM reporting, oversee contractor performance and drive continuous improvement across water and wastewater services.
This is a leadership and coordination role not a hands-on operator-only position.
Key Responsibilities
• Coordinate daily water and wastewater treatment operations
• Oversee reticulation maintenance, pump station monitoring and network repairs
• Implement structured planned and scheduled maintenance across water assets
• Ensure compliance with DWQMP, Environmental Authorities and regulatory reporting
• Supervise and mentor operational staff and Supervisors
• Support incident response and emergency management
• Monitor operational performance, service levels and response times
• Contribute to asset planning, renewals and capital works input
• Manage contractor engagement and procurement processes
• Drive WHS compliance and safety culture
Skills & Experience
Essential
• Proven experience in water and/or wastewater treatment operations
• Strong knowledge of reticulation networks and pump stations
• Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience
• Certificate III in Water Operations (minimum) or relevant trade qualification
• Understanding of Queensland water compliance and regulatory frameworks
• Experience with maintenance planning and operational reporting
• Full unrestricted Australian working right (Sorry no visa sponsorship available)
• Queensland C Class Driver Licence
• Confined Space & Working at Heights (or ability to obtain)
Highly Regarded
• Certificate IV in Water Operations or Frontline Management
• Engineering qualification
• Experience with SBR systems
• Exposure to SCADA, SWIM reporting, DWQMP compliance
• Local Government experience
Salary & Benefits
• LGOA Level 7 + 12% superannuation
• Five weeks annual leave
• Fortnightly RDO
• Business use vehicle
• Mareeba allowance
• Phone and laptop provided
• Training and development support
• Relocation assistance available
Located in Tropical North Queensland, Mareeba offers an enviable lifestyle just over an hour from Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy warm weather year-round, national parks, waterfalls, mountain bike trails, fishing, and access to some of Australia’s most iconic natural landscapes all while benefiting from a lower cost of living and a strong regional community.
This is secure Local Government employment with operational influence and leadership accountability.
Career Opportunity
This role provides long-term operational leadership within Council’s Infrastructure Services team.
The Application Process
For a confidential discussion contact James Foden on 0414 874 ***. Alternatively, click “Apply” and follow the prompts. Applications will be reviewed and progressed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The preferred candidate may be required to complete a criminal history/police check, medical and drug screening as part of the process.
Please note, applicants must already hold unrestricted working rights in Australia, as our client is not offering sponsorship on this occasion.
(NB: applications submitted via email will not be accepted)