Principal Flood Modelling

Melbourne Permanent - Full Time

Bringing a passion for bettering the human experience and the planet in equal measure, Claire brings over 20 years recruitment experience across Engineering, IT and Environmental portfolios to the team at Talent Nation.Claire has spent considerable time recruiting in the Climate Change and Meteorology fields and has a deep understanding of technical and complex role remits, along with a knack of thinking outside the square to source hard to find talent.Committed to ensuring the human experience is positive, fair, and meaningful in all that she does, is a key driver for Claire. She also brings a blend of analytical and human centred design thinking, pragmatism, ethics, and unique problem solving to business and recruitment, along with a collaborative and consultative approach.Having spent the early years of her life living at sea and in remote locations Claire’s passion for the outdoors and remote places started at an early age. In her spare time, she is yoga teacher and you are most likely to find her hiking or exploring the wilderness somewhere around the globe with a yoga mat and her music in tow.Claire has a Diploma in Management and Project Management and is a qualified Yoga and Meditation teacher.

Recruiter :
Claire Black

Claire Black
  • Unique opportunity to innovate flood modelling practices
  • Excellent network exposure across industry, academia and councils
  • Well regarded and highly dedicated team
The Company
Our client, Melbourne Water, services range from providing clean drinking water, treating sewage to recover and re-use valued resources, planning to manage flooding, and keeping all 25,000 km of Melbourne’s rivers, creeks, and catchments healthy. Effectively they manage all parts of the water cycle that are essential to Melbourne’s way of life today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
  
The Role
Melbourne Water serves as the Floodplain Manager for the greater Melbourne area, tasked with managing present and future flood risks. The Principal Flood Modelling plays a crucial role in leading flood modelling practices, forging key industry partnerships, and offering guidance to numerous flood practitioners within Melbourne Water.

This role contributes to the implementation of the Flood Strategy – Port Phillip and Westernport, ensuring timely access to pertinent information for emergency management, development planning, and flood mitigation efforts. As a senior leader within Melbourne Water, this position provides vital technical support and guidance to other senior leaders and executive teams.
Key responsibilities include:
  • Establish flood modelling practices for greater Melbourne to ensure timely availability of critical information for flood mitigation, development planning, and emergency management.
  • Lead the development of flood modelling strategies for Melbourne Water, tailored to the challenges of managing floodplains in a large, rapidly growing urban area, and riverine systems in the Port Phillip and Westernport Region.
  • Equip Melbourne Water with the necessary technical expertise and tools to address climate change impacts effectively.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies in flood modelling and digital platforms, determining their suitability for adoption in the regional flood modelling program.
  • Design guidelines and processes for developing and disseminating flood information across Melbourne Water.
  • Supervise a team responsible for providing flood information for certificates, building permit referrals, and other stakeholder requests, supporting Melbourne Water’s customer service obligations.
  • Cultivate relationships with floodplain managers, local government bodies, flood modelling consultants, and universities.
  • Forge internal networks within Melbourne Water to enhance flood modelling practices and program delivery.
  • Provide technical guidance to Melbourne Water in aligning with the opportunities and challenges presented by Victoria's Big Build agenda.
  • Represent Melbourne Water at VCAT and Planning Panel Hearings alongside external expert witnesses.
About you
You will be known as a dedicated and passionate flood modelling professional, renowned for your contributions to best practices in flood modelling and information management. Your expertise will position you as a thought leader in the field, known for your collaboration skills and commitment to ongoing learning. Additionally, your knowledge will extend to understanding the impacts of climate change and conducting future scenario modelling to enhance flood mitigation and management efforts.
  
Qualifications and Leadership Skills:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, or related field with a minimum of 10 years' professional experience.
  • Proven experience in project and/or program management.
  • Proficiency in team management, including coaching and mentoring.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish industry partnerships and nurture relationships.
  • Strong influencing skills, adept at navigating complex issues in relationship-based environments.
  • Comfortable operating in uncertain situations, skilled in identifying potential pathways and negotiating next steps with stakeholders.
Technical Expertise:
  • Advanced technical leadership skills in flood modelling and mapping.
  • Familiarity with hydrological and hydraulic software such as RORB, XP-Storm, Mike 11, HEC-RAS, TUFLOW, XP-2D, PC-Convey, and GIS software is advantageous.
  • Extensive experience negotiating technically complex issues with various stakeholders.
  • Track record of developing standards and guidelines for adoption by Melbourne Water and customers.
  • Familiarity with Local Government planning processes related to flood inundation and special building overlay advice is advantageous.
The Rewards and Culture
In this role, you will play a pivotal part in advancing best practices in flood modelling at Melbourne Water, with the opportunity to influence other stakeholders and collaborating organisations.

Melbourne Water fosters a culture centered on Flexibility, Impact, Growth & Development, and People, prioritising the holistic well-being of its employees and the broader community. They are dedicated to offering flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, part-time schedules, 9-day fortnights, remote work possibilities, higher duties allowance, study support, and comprehensive training and development programmes.

Additionally, you will have access to a network of exceptional mentors and diverse career pathways within the organisation.

How to Apply
Apply now by submitting your current CV (in word format) and cover letter addressing your relevant experience as per the qualifications and technical experience requirements, via our online application process. Applications close 5pm Sunday the 14th April.

For a confidential discussion or to review the full PD, please contact the Talent Nation Head Office on 03 96000115 or email via [email protected]
To be eligible to apply, you must have unrestricted rights to work in Australia and have a current drivers licence. Please note relocation support is available for interstate applicants.

Talent Nation encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex, and genders.

Referral reward:

Water Sector > Flood Modelling Water Sector

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