- Are you a strategic thinker?
- Do you like legal and other policy problems?
- Are you interested in working on some of Australia’s biggest water policy challenges?
Who we are
The Water Policy Division provides leadership and strategic policy to ensure the sustainable future of our rivers and wetlands and the people who depend on them. The Division supports water reform initiatives in the Murray–Darling Basin and leads national water reform – working to future-proof Australia’s water resources and provide support to First Nations in our national water story.
The Water Reform Division was established in August 2022 to accelerate delivery of the Australian Government’s significant water reform agenda. The division is a key driving force for policy reform in the Murray–Darling Basin, implementing water market reforms and providing advice to the Commonwealth Water Minister on legislation.
The Job
We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic people that love working through and resolving legal and other policy problems.
The positions require people with legal, economic or other significant strategic policy experience to support water policy development and legislative reforms. This is a great opportunity to join a diverse and high-performing team within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The successful applicants will undertake policy work that is complex in nature, and work under limited direction with reasonable autonomy and accountability. You will exercise both initiative and judgement in the interpretation of legislation, policy and in the application of practices and procedures. You will provide detailed advice in relation to complex policy problems. Work will involve management responsibilities requiring the setting of priorities and managing workflows.
What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
- Demonstrated experience in policy design and development and well-developed research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to craft and refine policy proposals, and/or interpret and apply legislation and drive legislative reform proposals.
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop high quality and timely briefing and other policy documents, and to tailor communications to target audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- A demonstrated ability to exercise judgement, operate relatively independently, and manage competing and changing work priorities.
- A demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a high performing and harmonious team, including to supervise staff and help build their capability and confidence.
- A commitment to continuous improvement, working in new ways and a demonstrated ability to lead, implement and respond positively to change.
Skills and capabilities
- Experience in major policy reform processes.
- Knowledge of Commonwealth and/or state water legislation.
Desirable qualifications
Qualifications and/or experience in the following is highly desired, but not mandatory:
- Qualifications in law, economics, natural resource management, science or public policy.
Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship – To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance – This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
For additional information, please read the Job Description below.
Candidate Information Pack (PDF)
Candidate Information Pack (Docx)
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