Senior Floodplain Officer

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?Working to protect the state's environment and heritage.

• Temporary (with the possibility of ongoing) until September 2027 full-time 35 hours per week opportunity
• Newcastle/Gosford Office location, hybrid working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $134,421 to $148,239 + super

Our Conservation Programs, Heritage & Regulation team is currently seeking to appoint a Senior Floodplain Officer to lead the delivery of floodplain risk management studies and plans, working closely with local councils to ensure timely, high-quality outcomes.

You'll provide expert technical and policy advice, support funding applications for flood mitigation works, and contribute to strategic planning that integrates environmental, community, and infrastructure needs.

Day-to-day, you'll collaborate with stakeholders, prepare briefings and reports for executive decision-making, and apply hydrological and hydraulic modelling to assess flood behaviour. You'll also guide councils and committees through best-practice approaches, ensuring floodplain management aligns with NSW Government policy and delivers meaningful impact across regional communities.

About You

You're a skilled professional with a strong background in floodplain risk management, water-cycle impact assessment, and environmental planning. You bring expertise in hydrological and hydraulic modelling, and have a deep understanding of relevant policies, guidelines and legislation, including the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy. Your ability to translate complex technical information into practical solutions makes you a trusted advisor to councils and stakeholders.

You're confident working independently and collaboratively, with a knack for managing projects, influencing outcomes, and delivering high-quality advice. With strong communication skills and a proactive mindset, you're ready to lead regional floodplain initiatives that build resilience and protect communities across NSW.

Essential Requirements

• Degree level tertiary qualifications in engineering, environmental science, natural resource management, or related discipline.

• Current driver's license (Class C)

For more information read the full Role Description: Senior Floodplain Officer

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the state's environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

About Conservation Programs, Heritage & Regulation  

The Conservation Programs, Heritage and Regulation (CPHR) division plays a vital role in protecting, celebrating and managing the rich cultural and natural heritage of New South Wales. CPHR also focusses on managing threatened species through initiatives like the Saving our Species program, promoting biodiversity conservation on private land via the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, and enforcing compliance with regulations to maintain environmental and heritage values. CPHR administers the NSW Government's Flood Risk and Coastal Management frameworks. These programs seek to reduce the impacts of flooding on owners and occupiers of flood-prone property, reducing public and private losses and to manage the use and development of the coastal environment in an ecologically sustainable way, for the social, cultural and economic well-being of the people of New South Wales.

Participation in the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS)

Please read the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Protocol to understand if it applies to your circumstances. All applicants for this role and new employees with an existing defined interest in the BOS will be required to disclose their personal (or a close family member's) participation to ensure potential conflict of interests are declared and managed appropriately.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close Sunday, 12 October 2025 at 11:55PM.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Neil Kelleher via or on

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace.

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing or contacting Stacey Cooper on please mention reference number

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander use our Guide for Aboriginal Applicants to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

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