About Us:
Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.
We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.8 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley.
KSC is progressing a multi-year capital delivery program to upgrade and construct new water, wastewater and waste infrastructure across the Macleay Valley. This includes:
* New and upgraded water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants.
* Trunk mains, pump stations and reticulation network renewals.
* Waste facility improvements and leachate management upgrades.
* Environmental compliance and resilience-driven infrastructure projects.
The program represents one of the most significant infrastructure investment periods in the region in decades – strengthening service reliability, future growth capacity and environmental outcomes for the community.
About the Role:
We are seeking three (3) Utilities Project Site Surveillance Officers to support the onsite delivery of this major program. You will act as Council's eyes and technical presence on-site, ensuring contractor works are delivered safely, to standard and in accordance with design, environmental and contractual requirements.
This is a hands-on role working across multiple active construction sites, engaging directly with contractors, reporting progress, verifying quality and providing critical surveillance to support successful project outcomes.
If you enjoy being out on site, solving problems, ensuring construction quality and being part of essential projects that benefit the community – this is the role for you.
What You'll Be Doing
In this role, you will:
* Conduct routine site surveillance, inspections and quality assurance.
* Review drawings and contractor submittals for compliance and constructability.
* Maintain site diaries, photographic evidence and QA documentation to monitor project progress and support PMO reporting.
* Verify ITPs, hold/witness points, NCR close-out and testing records prior to acceptance.
* Support WHS and environmental compliance monitoring on construction sites.
* Liaise with Project Managers and Council Operations teams to flag risks early.
* Assist commissioning and handover activities including asset readiness validation.
* Ensure contractor adherence to approved WHS and Environmental Management Plans, including erosion/sediment controls, pollution prevention, and community impact mitigation.
About You
We're looking for someone who has the following:
Essential
* Trade qualification (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fabrication) or equivalent experience
* Construction Induction Card & Class C driver's license
* Significant experience on medium to large construction projects
* Ability to read drawings, identify non-compliance and document site progress
* Confidence liaising with contractors and raising non-conformances
Highly Regarded
* Confined space, working at heights or relevant RII tickets
* Familiarity with GC21 or similar contract frameworks
More than anything, you'll bring a safety-first mindset, strong communication, and the confidence to represent Council on-site professionally.
Benefits of working for Kempsey Shire Council:
As the successful candidate, you'll:
* Shape major water, wastewater and waste assets that directly serve the community.
* Have a supportive Program Manager and PMO environment with professional development support.
* Competitive salary package + 35 hr week and RDOs
* Work-life balance
* Opportunity to take ownership of project delivery activities, not just administration
* 3-year role with strong growth potential
* A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast.
Interested?
Please apply via Council's website Note that you will be required to prepare and submit:
* A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and
* Your current resume.
Applications Close: COB Friday, 16 January 2026
Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Have questions?Please contact Eric Nielson –Program Manager, for a confidential discussion on Ph:
Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.
Completion of a pre-employment medical assessment is a requirement of KSC's recruitment process for this position.
Current immunisations against tetanus, Hepatitis A & B and Q Fever or willingness to obtain these vaccinations is a requirement of KSC's recruitment process for this position.
If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on or email
Thank you and good luck with your application.
Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.