Healthy Country Lead

Are you passionate about recognising the central importance of the relationship between people and Country? Do you want to help us care for Country and deliver a thriving economy for the benefit of all Victorians? If so, we want to hear from you

Our organisation

Water is the lifeblood that sustains our communities, ecosystems and economy.

It is precious and finite. With each passing year, the importance of water stewardship and environmental responsibility grows and we take our custodian role very seriously.

We take pride in partnering with the community in providing quality water and waste services so we can enjoy a healthy and sustainable Gippsland for generations to come.

We are focused on:

• Affordable and secure water
• Smart service delivery
• Sustainable and prosperous region
• Water for a better environment

There are many benefits in working for us, we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Work variety
• A positive environment
• Work/life balance, with the opportunity to negotiate flexible working arrangements.

We focus on building the capability and culture of our people into a more highly skilled, professional, customer focused and efficient organisation.

Our reward and recognition framework has been developed to support a constructive culture and is focused on consistently recognising and encouraging the demonstration of our values as well as outstanding performance.

We do truly meaningful work within a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

The role

• Facilitate the coordination and integration of Treaty readiness activities into our corporate planning processes, including the Urban Water Strategy and Price Submission.
• Support organisational cultural awareness and competence by contributing to policy development, strategic decision making, and the delivery of positive social, cultural, environmental and economic outcomes.
• Maintain a high-level understanding about the Victorian Government's priorities for First Peoples, including self-determination strategies, state-wide treaty negotiations, and the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with Traditional Owners and the First Peoples community.
• Develop high quality written briefings and correspondence and advice for senior executives, providing insights and recommendations to inform decision-making.
• Identify and realise community recreational values opportunities across our infrastructure network.

About you

• Lived and/or demonstrated experience and understanding in Traditional Owner partnerships within a natural resource and/or water/waterway management context.
• Lived and/or cultural experience and understanding of Treaty and the Treaty negotiation framework is highly advantageous.
• Lived and or cultural experience in working effectively and building strong partnerships with a range of partners including Traditional Owners & community groups.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse stakeholder groups including senior management.
• Skills in problem-solving, decision making, political judgement and adaptive management.
• A high degree of self-motivation, autonomy, innovation, and leadership.
• Experience working in sensitive political environments.
• Exceptional customer service standards with the ability to negotiate with the community on behalf of the organisation.

Freedom

We offer a variety of flexible arrangements to suit our employees' varied needs and the business, including purchased leave, varied start and finish times, working from alternative locations and accrued days off. We understand that everyone benefits from enabling our employees to achieve balance in work and life.

How to apply

For specific enquiries relating to this position, please contact Dale Yeates, Manager Environment and Healthy Country on

Applications close Sunday 5 October 2025.

Before applying for the position applicants should read the position description and included selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to provide a statement addressing the selection criteria for this position along with a copy of your current resume.

Shortlisted applicants may be required to undertake a pre-employment medical and a National Police Check.