Drainage and Water Operator

About Us

Our vision is powered by a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of services we offer to our community. Today, Lismore is flourishing, and it's the perfect time for those who live, work, and play here to embrace and celebrate everything that makes Lismore so special. 

Shape your future. Serve your community. Belong to something bigger.

We warmly welcome individuals who bring fresh perspectives and unique skills, helping to enrich our collective vision for a vibrant and thriving community.  

About this Position: 

We have an exciting permanent full-time opportunity for a Drainage and Water Operator to join our Water, Waste and Open Spaces Directorate.

The Drainage and Water Operator plays a key role in maintaining and operating Council's urban drainage, water and wastewater systems. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure these essential services run safely, efficiently, and reliably, helping protect public health, the environment, and the overall functioning of local infrastructure. Working as part of a multi-skilled team, the position supports both planned and reactive maintenance, technical investigations, and day-to-day operational tasks.

The role also involves, operating heavy machinery, and contributing to planning, safety compliance, and continuous improvement. It requires flexibility to work across different areas of the organisation, respond to emergencies, and engage professionally with the community, all while ensuring work is completed to high standards, on time, and within budget.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, proactive, and able to adapt effectively in a busy and rapidly changing environment.

What we can offer you:

• Permanent full-time, community focused role. 
• 76-hour fortnight with a scheduled RDO to support work-life balance.
• Long service leave after five years of continuous service. 
• Employee Assistance and Health & Wellbeing Programs, including access to confidential EAP services, Fitness Passport membership, and complimentary annual flu vaccinations.
  
  

What we trust you to deliver:

• Carry out and oversee operations and maintenance of urban drains, water and wastewater infrastructure in accordance with Council specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct technical investigations and condition assessments of urban drains, water, and wastewater infrastructure, including smoke testing, service location, water quality sampling, sewer inspections, and the safe use of shoring during excavation. 
• Operate and ensure maintenance of heavy plant items such as, but not limited to; backhoe, excavator and heavy rigid vehicles.
• Support the Field Supervisor ensure efficient operations and effective team collaboration by assisting with administrations tasks, completing assigned tasks, completing safety inspections and compliance and contributing to daily planning and scheduling. 
• Plan and organise daily tasks in alignment with team objectives, whilst ensuring efficient delivery of works.
  
  
  

What you will need to be successful:

• Cert II in Water Industry Operations or relevant qualification in similar field and/or relevant experience. 

• One or more of the following two certificate of operations:

  • Conduct excavator operations – RIIMP0320F or similar (have or willing to obtain)
  • Conduct backhoe/loader operations - RIIMP0319E or similar (have or willing to obtain)
• General Construction Induction training (White Card)
• Current Class Heavy Rigid (HR) licence 
• Current First Aid Certificate (or willing to obtain)
• Hepatitis A and B vaccinations  (or willing to obtain)
• Cert III Water Industry Operations  (or willing to obtain)
• Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker certificate (or willing to obtain)
• Implement traffic control plans (IMP) (or willing to obtain)
• Statement of Attainment in Chainsaw Operations (or willing to obtain)
• Operate a drain cleaning system - MSMSS00019 or similar (or willing to obtain)
• Enter and Work in Confined Spaces – RIIWH202E or similar (or willing to obtain)
• Work Safely at Heights – RIIWHS204E or similar (or willing to obtain)
• Dogman Ticket (HRW) (willing to obtain)

Full Position Description: Click here

Employment Conditions: Permanent full-time position, requiring 76 hours of work per fortnight with an RDO. Conditions of employment are in the Local Government (State) Award and relevant Council policies, procedures and agreements.  

Salary: Grade 9, with an annual salary range of $67,938 to $78,129 plus superannuation.

Closing Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026 at 9:00 am. Please use your application responses and resume to outline your suitability for this opportunity. 

Contact: If you want to know more about this opportunity, please contact Blake Brewer-Charles, Coordinator Urban Drains, Water and Wastewater on 0437 810 483. 

Pre-employment Screening: Prior to employment, there will be a series of pre-employment checks that may include, health assessments, validation of right to work in Australia, validation of qualifications and licences, Criminal History Checks, Working with Children's Check, psychometric assessments and referee checks.

We care about people as individuals and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and new ways of working. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.