Local recruitment: Senior Project Officer

Position Details

Work with Traditional Owners and the community to improve the ways we manage, share and enable access to water for cultural outcomes

This ongoing position sits within the Water Access Branch, where we are guiding the transformation of how Victoria’s changing water resources are understood, shared and accessed and to support emerging priorities – clean energy transition and Traditional Owner water justice.

This role will lead engagement across Victoria to contribute to meaningful work that seeks long-lasting changes to improve water access for Traditional Owners, within the context of a water sharing framework that has not previously recognised their continuing connections and obligations to water.

In a close-knit, highly skilled team you will practice cultural safety and build relationships with Traditional Owner groups, water sector representatives (here and in other jurisdictions) and key stakeholders to help identify barriers to water access and explore options to enable Traditional Owners to hold and access water in culturally appropriate ways. This role is a great opportunity to:

• Demonstrate highly effective engagement expertise, with experience partnering with Traditional Owners highly desirable
• Be at the forefront of ongoing work to improve current water management practices at sites of spiritual and cultural significance to Traditional Owner groups
• Apply creative thinking to help navigate and contribute to developing options to address complex water policy challenges
• Use effective communication skills, and learn from Traditional Owner groups and other water experts to understand and help overcome barriers to access to water under in the Victorian entitlement framework

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Knowledge of water resource management and Victoria’s water entitlements and allocation framework would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with Traditional Owners on developing and implementing policies and projects is highly desirable.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 10 June 2024.

Other relevant information:

For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check. 

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. 

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.