Operator Water Process

Your New Role:

As a Water Process Operator, you will play an important role in ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Kempsey Shire Council’s water treatment and supply infrastructure. Working within our Water and Sewer team, you will be responsible for monitoring and operating water treatment processes, maintaining water quality and supporting the reliable delivery of essential water services to the community.

This is a hands-on opportunity to work across a diverse range of water treatment and operational activities, ensuring treatment processes, plant and equipment are operating effectively and in accordance with regulatory, environmental, health and safety requirements. You will monitor treatment processes and water quality, undertake routine inspections and testing, identify and respond to operational issues, and contribute to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of Council’s water infrastructure.

You will work collaboratively with other Water and Sewer team members, maintenance personnel, contractors and internal stakeholders to support the safe and efficient operation of Council’s water supply systems. The role will also provide opportunities to contribute to preventative maintenance, fault finding, process optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the reliability and performance of Council’s water assets.

Key responsibilities include:

• Operating, monitoring and controlling water treatment processes and associated plant and equipment.
• Undertaking routine inspections, water quality sampling and process testing to ensure treatment performance and compliance.
• Monitoring SCADA, telemetry and other operational systems and responding appropriately to alarms, faults and process variations.
• Identifying operational issues and undertaking troubleshooting, minor repairs and corrective actions where required.
• Undertaking routine and preventative maintenance of water treatment plant, equipment and associated infrastructure.
• Maintaining accurate operational records, logs, water quality data and maintenance documentation.
• Supporting compliance with relevant legislation, water quality requirements, environmental standards and Council procedures.
• Working with contractors and maintenance teams to coordinate operational and maintenance activities.
• Contributing to the identification and implementation of improvements to treatment processes, plant reliability and operational efficiency.
• Participating in an on-call roster and responding to operational requirements outside normal working hours as required.

For a full list of the Key Accountabilities of the role, please refer to the Position Description.

You are a practical, safety-focused and solutions-oriented operator who takes pride in delivering reliable essential services to the community.

You have experience in water treatment, process operations, utilities, manufacturing, maintenance or a related operational environment, and understand the importance of following established processes and procedures to maintain safe, efficient and compliant operations.

You are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, and can confidently monitor plant and equipment, identify operational issues and take appropriate action. Your attention to detail and commitment to accurate record keeping allow you to maintain high standards across water quality monitoring, operational reporting and compliance requirements.

You are also a strong communicator who can work effectively with colleagues, contractors and other stakeholders. You approach challenges with a positive and practical mindset and are willing to learn and develop your technical skills within the water industry.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Relevant experience in water treatment, process operations, utilities, manufacturing, maintenance or a related industry.
• A current Class C Driver Licence.
• A strong commitment to workplace health and safety and environmental responsibilities.
• The ability to undertake routine inspections, monitoring, sampling and operational activities accurately and safely.
• Good mechanical aptitude and the ability to identify and troubleshoot operational issues.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn and use operational monitoring, reporting and asset management systems.

The following qualifications, training or experience will be highly regarded:

• Certificate III or IV in Water Industry Operations, Water Treatment, Process Operations, or a related qualification.
• Experience operating or maintaining water treatment plants, water supply infrastructure, pump stations, reservoirs or similar utility infrastructure.
• Experience with water quality monitoring, sampling, treatment processes and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with SCADA, telemetry, process control systems or other operational monitoring technologies.
• Experience undertaking preventative maintenance, fault finding and minor repairs on plant and equipment.
• Knowledge of relevant water industry standards, procedures and environmental requirements.
• A General Construction Induction Card (White Card) or relevant construction/maintenance experience.

We welcome applications from experienced water industry operators as well as candidates from related operational environments who are keen to develop their skills and build a career in water and sewer operations. If you are reliable, hands-on and committed to delivering safe and high-quality essential services, we would love to hear from you.

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.

As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:

• A permanent full-time position, 38 hour work week
• Fortnightly RDO’s
• Weekly salary of $1,361.37 to $1,532.21 (plus superannuation).
• Generous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five years
• A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs.
• Fitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities.
• Career development and learning opportunities.
• Novated Leasing and salary packaging options.
• A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow!
• A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast.

Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. 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 Sunday, 6 September 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 Scott Brown – Team Leader Water Treatment, for a confidential discussion on Ph: 02 6566 3200.

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 02 6566 3200 or email jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au

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.