Principal Hydrometric Officer

Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 859715
Location: 5343 - BERRI
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Role:
The Principal Hydrometric Officer contributes to the implementation, surveillance and reporting on the installation of monitoring sites and supervises a small team to deliver projects, on ground works and activities that address the states and Murray-Darling Basin monitoring requirements. The role is accountable to the Team Leader, Riverland Operations for the maintenance of the department's monitoring, assets and equipment. The role provides day-to-day supervision of the monitoring teams' work schedule including, prioritisation of activities, assisting with quotations, reports, and managing the safety of equipment. The position will contribute to the collection, quality assurance and timely upload of water data to the State's water data archive, ensuring all processes and outputs comply with relevant national and South Australian standards.

What can we offer you!

• Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia!
• Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance.
• Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
• Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Access to our Fitness Passport Program.
• Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: 
Ongoing

Essential Criteria:

• Is able to digest information from diverse sources, identify key issues and assess broad impacts on the organisation and/or relevant situation.
• Understands the issue or problem that needs to be addressed or solved and can critically examine the possible causes and identify solutions.
• Prioritises workload and allocates time appropriately.
• Takes a planned approach to organising work using available tools.
• Demonstrates a fundamental and current understanding of:
  o  Water monitoring principles and practices
  o  Planning, managing and implementing on-ground works and projects of some complexity
  o  Coordination or facilitation of workshops and activities.
• Shares ideas with team members and keeps others informed of progress and issues which may impact on the team.
• Is effective in collaborating appropriately with relevant stakeholders.
• Understanding of issues related to rural and semi-rural communities and ability to engage meaningfully with these communities.
• Basic proficiency with MS Office products and GIS.
• Must hold a current Driver's Licence and be prepared to undertake 4WD training.

Desirable Criteria (including qualifications):

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in natural resources management, environmental science, water science or equivalent is desirable.
• Inland water Coxswain certificate will be highly regarded.
• Ability to swim.

Special Conditions:

• May be required to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities required by government agencies.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia.
• The incumbent is required to work alone in a field environment, including working in adverse conditions from time to time.
• Some out of hours work, intrastate travel involving overnight absences from home and attendance at public meets out of normal office hours may be required.
• May be required to work on weekends and public holidays for which a loading will be paid.
• This role requires candidates to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which must be renewed every three years before expiry. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.

A successful applicant who is not currently employed by the Department for Environment and Water will be required to have an original photo identification document sighted and provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) issued within the last 12 months. This information must be supplied by all applicants who are shortlisted for interview.

Remuneration: 
OPS4 $82,212 min - $86,180 max p.a. 

Enquiries to:
Tim Branford, Manager Monitoring Operations
Tim.Branford@sa.gov.au
0417 864 531

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, current CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages). This letter should address the essential and desirable criteria (including qualifications) outlined in the role description using the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action and Result) where appropriate.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 14/10/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- OPS4 M21468 Principal Hydrometric Officer FINAL.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.