Full-Time Senior Water and Environment Officer

Closing Date: Wednesday 30th October 2024 | Based at Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island Regional Council is seeking applications from enthusiastic, suitable persons and members of Norfolk Island Community to join NIRC’s Planning and Environment Division on a full-time employment basis. The role will be based on Norfolk Island full-time so perfect for residents of the island or those willing to relocate to the beautiful island.

About the Region

The Norfolk Island Regional Council is the governing body responsible for the administration and management of Norfolk Island, a beautiful and historic island located in the Pacific Ocean. The Council is dedicated to providing high-quality services to the community and promoting the unique cultural and natural heritage of the island. The Council operates various departments, including the Liquor Bond and Information Centres, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of customer service and professionalism in all its operations. By working for the Norfolk Island Regional Council, you will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and dedicated team, and to contribute to the continued success and growth of this unique and vibrant community.

About the Position

The Senior Water and Environment Officer at Norfolk Island Regional Council is responsible for monitoring the onsite wastewater systems through the compliance of relevant legislation and regulations, monitoring water quality above ground and underground water systems, conduct water testing and maintaining production facilities to relevant standards. This position is also intended to assist in public health regulation including food safety and undertaking planned and unplanned compliance inspections of premises to ensure compliance of drinking water supply. This role will also investigate and address non compliances in line with an understanding on relevant legislation and regulations as well as address other planning and environmental functions. The ideal candidate should have the ability to work with a high level of autonomy, excellent communications skills, high level of computer literacy, hold required certifications, have an ability to work in hazardous environments and with proven experience in water management.

The relevant Position Description for the position listing and the full set of key accountabilities and competencies are available from our website - Employment link: https://www.nirc.gov.au/working-council

The individual key objectives for this position are:

To monitor, assess and regulate landowner wastewater systems
To monitor and regulate the quality of the island’s water systems
To operate and maintain Council water testing, treatment and production facilities
To assist in the monitoring, reporting and regulation of public health, including sale of food, public pools and other relevant provisions
To monitor, report and regulate the supply and distribution of drinking water to the public
To investigate and respond to nuisance complaints and other breaches of relevant environmental legislation
To assist in other planning and environmental functions as requested
To assist in the management of council’s water supply and water quality requirements.

Key Accountabilities

Onsite Wastewater Systems

Monitor regulation and usage of domestic wastewater systems within the community by:

Inspecting systems to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations
reporting breaches and following through with required legislated actions
assessing applications for approval to ensure they meet compliance requirements
developing and maintaining related records

2. Water quality of natural and developed water systems

Monitor the water quality of the water networks by:

conducting routine and planned water testing of natural and developed water systems including: marine water, freshwater, desalination water and wastewater as required
conducting routine and planned inspections of water infrastructure, and reporting faults and organising major repairs if required

3. Management of water production and treatment facilities:

Maintain laboratory facilities to relevant standards
Assist in the operation, monitoring and maintenance of the desalination unit and multiple filtration and treatment units
Coordinate export of samples where necessary
Order consumable and materials to ensure continuous operability of laboratory
Organise water movement between council properties.

4. Public Health

Assisting with the development of food safety hygiene plan
Assisting with other Sale of Food regulatory activities as required
Conducting inspections and issuing associated licences or regulatory notices
Responding to health alerts, concerns, or complaints.
Issuing Public Health notices via multiple available mediums.
Sale of Tobacco, Slaughterhouse and other Public Health inspections
Assisting with other Sale of Food regulatory activities as required

5. Supply of drinking water

Assist the community in complying with the NSW Public Health Act 2010 (NI) for the supply of drinking water
Undertake planned and unplanned compliance inspections of premises to ensure compliance

6. Nuisance complaints

Investigate and address non compliances in line with legislation and regulations
Respond to pollution incidents and notify related departments and affected stakeholders.

7. Other planning and environmental functions

Assessment of developments against water resources planning policies
Assist in development of waste management plans
Coordination of visiting researchers where necessary
Engaging of contractors and specialists
Community engagement and media releases

Competencies

Understand and interpret legislation including the Health Act, the Sale of Food Act, the Building Act, the Water Assurance Act, the Slaughtering Act, NSW Public Health Act 2010 (NI), Environment Act 1990, Planning Act 2002, and Animal Importation Act 1983.
Current driver’s license
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member, to prioritise workload and meet required timelines
Proven ability to carry out verbal and written instructions effectively and efficiently
Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with internal and external customers and the public
High level of computer literacy
Working knowledge and commitment to applying work health and safety requirements
Understand and committed to ethical conduct and public sector accountability

Desirable

Competent in investigative processes in relation to health and building
Knowledge and experience in water management, food safety, environmental health, GIS software
Current First Aid Certificate

Where is Norfolk Island?

Norfolk Island is a small sub-tropical island in the South Pacific, 2.5 hours flight from Sydney and Brisbane. The newly established Norfolk Island Regional Council commenced on 1 July 2016. The Norfolk Island Regional Council is unique in that it provides a broad range of local government services to the community of Norfolk Island. For more information on Norfolk Island visit- www.norfolkisland.com.au.

For more information on Norfolk Island Regional Council visit - www.nirc.gov.au.

How to apply

Enquiry Contact Officer: Tara Patel - phone 6723 51097 or email tara.patel@nirc.gov.nf.

General enquiries may be made to Human Resources Office, hr@nirc.gov.nf or phone Joshlyn Prasad on Australian Number (+61) 07 3000 2192.

12% Superannuation applies to above salaried employees.

This recruitment is urgent. Interviews will commence to suitable candidates and possible job offer will be considered with successful candidates prior to closing period of the recruitment ad.

Appointments will be made on merit in compliance with the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).

If you are interested in the advertised positions you will need to send a written application addressing the key accountabilities contained in the Position Description. Applications must also include a resumé/curriculum vitae and two recent work-related referees.

Applications are to be lodged by email to hr@nirc.gov.nf no later than Wednesday 30th October 2024.

Norfolk Island Regional Council

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