Position Description
Team Leader Wastewater Treatment
It's an exciting time to join
We're transforming the way we do business with significant investment in customer, digital and business innovation, re-
designing our infrastructure to service communities for generations to come and pursuing a circular economy so we can
not only reduce our environmental footprint but also reduce energy costs to keep customer bills affordable. We're also
engaging communities to achieve better outcomes and supporting our incredibly talented and valued leaders and people.
Organisational Context
east Victoria across an area of 20,000 square kilometres. The service delivery area is bound by Corryong, Yarrawonga,
Benalla and Dartmouth. We operate 21 water treatment facilities and 22 wastewater treatment plants that service most
towns across the region. Over 200 full time equivalent staff are employed at our centres in Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla,
Yarrawonga, Corryong, Beechworth, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford.
Our operations are overseen by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on behalf of the
Minister for Water, and the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) on behalf of the Treasurer. We continue to invest in
innovative and long-term capital projects which contribute to the health and well-being of current and future generations.
Our Commitment to Health and Safety
from bullying and harassment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. We prioritise the health, safety
(physical and psychological) and wellbeing of all staff and customers.
Transformational Leadership Competencies
* Business, strategy and negotiation acumen.
* Agility and adaptability.
* Program and change management.
* Communicator, connector, influencer, relationship builder.
* Opportunity focused, growth mindset.
* Developing, coaching and supporting others.
* Leading hybrid teams.
* Management essentials (safety first, planning, budgeting, delivery, people management,
continuous improvement, opportunity and risk management).
Our Mindsets
At
where our people are aligned with our business direction, proud of their contribution to business performance, and own a
culture that is centred on the following mindsets:
* Committed to advancing and supporting people to succeed.
* Consistent in interactions with people and in applying processes.
* Provide empathy for people and be willing to place oneself in another person's position.
* Accountable for one's own actions and responsibilities and playing your part for the success of the
organisation.
* Cooperative with others to work towards the Corporation's common goals.
Position Objectives
* Operations: Ensure efficient and reliable functioning of the lagoon-based wastewater treatment systems,
emphasizing pro-active maintenance and rapid response to emergencies, while staying within budgetary
guidelines.
* Team Leadership & Development: Supervise the lagoon-based wastewater treatment team towards achieving
daily operational targets and upholding safety standards, enhanced by continuous training and adherence to a
responsive on-call roster.
* Stakeholder Satisfaction: Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and customers, ensuring
transparent communication and timely resolution of feedback and concerns, thereby fostering trust and
collaboration.
Key Responsibility Areas
* Wastewater treatment monitoring & maintenance: Overseeing and ensuring consistent monitoring,
maintenance, and optimisation of lagoon-based wastewater systems. Addressing potential risks and implement
preventive measures.
* Safety & Training: Upholding and enforcing strict safety standards. Ensuring team members are well-trained and
in alignment with Occupational Health and Safety standards.
* Team Management: Supervising the lagoon-based wastewater treatment team's daily tasks, ensuring efficient
operations. Overseeing and participating in a 7-day rotating on-call roster.
* Project Management: Implementing lagoon-based wastewater treatment projects from initiation to completion,
ensuring adherence to timelines and budgetary guidelines.
* Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Developing annual KPIs with Manager Wastewater Systems and Environment
and monitor, track, and ensure achievement of KPIs
* Data & Reporting: Analysing key metrics from the lagoon-based wastewater treatment system and produce
regular performance reports.
* Stakeholder & Customer Liaison: Fostering a positive relationship with both internal and external stakeholders,
ensuring that customers' feedback and concerns are addressed promptly.
* Emergency Response: Leading the coordination for timely responses to lagoon-based wastewater treatment
system disruptions or emergencies, ensuring minimized impact and quick recovery.
* Resource Management: Efficiently managing resources including equipment, tools, and materials required for
lagoon-based wastewater treatment operations, ensuring minimal wastage and optimal usage.
* Asset & Infrastructure Management: Responsible for the operation and fault response to
lagoon-based treatment plants including inlet works, aeration assets, storages and discharge facilities. The role will
also be responsible for desludging of alum sludge lagoons at water treatment plants as required.
* Other: Performing overtime and undertake additional tasks as needed, consistent with the role's level and the
individual's skills and experience.
Organisational Relationships
This role reports to the Manager Wastewater & Environment Systems and liaises with all internal stakeholders, peers in
water corporations or local government, government agencies and members of the public.
Accountability and Extent of Authority
* Accountability: Accountable for operational Integrity, safety, compliance, budget Adherence, team performance
and stakeholder relationships.
* Authority: Decisions on daily operations, allocate resources for maintenance, projects, and emergencies within the
budget and financial delegation. Task delegation within the team, adjusting the on-call roster, directing training
initiatives, and making quick decisions during emergencies. Communicate directly with stakeholders and customers
on operational matters.
* Freedom to Act: Limited by policies, objectives and budgets with a regular reporting mechanism to ensure
achievement of goals and objectives.
Judgement and Decision Making
* Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making skills, and timely responses to lagoon
wastewater treatment system emergencies and operational challenges.
* Able to balance immediate operational needs with long-term system sustainability and prioritize tasks in high-
pressure situations while considering the wider implications on customers and stakeholders.
* Ability to demonstrate good judgement and decision making when identifying hazards and assessing risks with
regard to the exercising of safe work practices.
* Guidance and advice may not always be available from within the organisation.
Specialist skills and knowledge
* Knowledge and expertise in lagoon wastewater systems and operations.
* Demonstrated understanding of lagoon wastewater treatment industry best practices to ensure efficient and
sustainable community service.
* Experience operating plant and machinery essential for lagoon wastewater treatment activities.
* Ability to identify solutions to problems, with the use of analytical, investigative, and problem-solving
skills.
* Ability to adhere to and enforce established safety and operational standards.
* Proficiency in the use of AMIS, GIS, and SCADA for real-time monitoring of the wastewater treatment system.
* Knowledge of the EPA laws including the new Environment Protection Act (2021), the implication of the General
Environmental Duty and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004).
* Understanding of the long-term goals of the wider organisation and of the socio-economic, legal and
political context in which it operates.
* Demonstrated planning skills and the ability to organise and use resources in a cost-effective manner.
* Understanding of the relevant budgetary and accounting processes and systems.
Management Skills
* Directly manages the lagoon-based wastewater treatment team, ensuring they are adequately trained, and
performance concerns are promptly addressed.
* Promotes a cohesive team environment.
* Skilfully delegates tasks, ensuring their efficient completion.
* Utilises effective time management and prioritization to meet schedules and deadlines.
* Displays proficiency in timely problem resolution, despite conflicting pressures.
* Ability to resolve personnel matters should they arise.
* Ability to handle a variety of issues concurrently and with limited day-to-day supervision.
Interpersonal Skills
* Demonstrates strong leadership communication, fostering open dialogue with both team members and higher
management.
* Builds and maintains relationships with various internal departments and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment
with organizational objectives.
* Handles public and customer interactions with tact and professionalism.
* Engages and negotiates effectively with contractors, suppliers, and other partners, ensuring projects align with the
authority's standards and goals
Qualifications and Experience
* Demonstrated industry experience.
* Certificate III in Water Industry Operations or substantial experience in the water industry and demonstrated
progress towards achieving these qualifications.
* Medium rigid truck license is desired but willingness to obtain is required.
* Training and competency in high-risk work and first aid is desirable but willingness to obtain is required.
Requirements of Employment
Employees of
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
* Supports the proactive implementation of the HS&W Management System and culture growth.
* Support the implementation of the businesses HS&W Management System and safe work practices, through high
levels of positive role modelling.
* Inspire staff to proactively focus on their physical and mental wellbeing.
* Empower staff to identify workplace hazards (including psychological hazards) and implement the appropriate
control measures.
* Ensure all incidents regardless of the severity are reported and debriefed in accordance with NEW's procedures.
Protecting the Environment
helping our communities build resilience and adapt to climate change. This will be demonstrated through continued
emissions reduction, climate adaptation and environmental stewardship.
Data Privacy
As a Victorian government organisation,
2014 ("PDP Act"). There are 10 Information Privacy Principles ("IPPs") in the PDP Act that govern the way that North East
Water collects and handles the personal information of current and future employees and customers.
Privacy Statement can be found on our website.