Operations Manager – Healthy Waterways

Are you bursting to play a lead role in the repairing the Peel-Harvey Waterways through this leadership role as Operations Manager, Healthy Waterways.

The Ramsar Peel-Yalgorup System is not only amazing, it is internationally significant and the largest and most diverse wetland system in southwest Australia.  However, its values are threatened by human induced pressures and disturbances, further exacerbated by a changing climate. 

PHCC have secured funding to enable significant restoration works to be undertaken, and with more funding on the way, this is an exciting time to join the team, take ownership of these projects and contribute to protecting and restoring our waterways. 

PHCC is based in beautiful Mandurah, in Western Australia and is calling for applications from skilled and motivated people to be responsible for the Healthy Waterways Team to protect and restore the health of the Estuary and Rivers that lead into it.

The Healthy Waterways delivers a range of projects working in partnership with stakeholders (including community, government, research institutes and non-government organisations) to deliver projects aimed at understanding, protecting and restoring the ecological health and biodiversity of Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar listed wetlands and waterways (wetlands, rivers and streams) of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Guided by strategic plans and best practice, these projects involve working in partnership with a range of stakeholders including community, government, research institutes and non-government organisations, to undertake:

• On-ground restoration works including fencing, access control, pest animal control, weed control, revegetation, riparian restoration/remediation, habitat augmentation, monitoring and surveys.
• Measurement and evaluation of ecological health e.g. surveys of vegetation; water quality; fish and aquatic invertebrates.
• Development and implementation community engagement initiatives through education and capacity-building activities, including citizen science.
• Provision of training and capacity-building opportunities for the local Bindjareb Noongar community.
• Facilitating research and provision of scientific evidence for the monitoring and management of Peel-Harvey Estuary and waterways  

Current projects include:

• Restoring Ramsar 482 Wetlands and Waterways (2024-2028) ,funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) program.
• Healthy Estuaries WA and Bindjareb Djilba Protection Plan Stream Restoration programs (stock-exclusion fencing and revegetation (2021-on-going), funded by WA State Government (DWER).
• Gabi Bidi – Water Pathways – Water Research Infrastructure Project (2021-2025), funded by WA State Government (DPIRD).  

Other projects have been secured but are currently embargoed from announcement. Additional programs will be included as funding is secured which will increase the portfolio of this position.

If you enjoy working closely with a team of professional, highly effective NRM practitioners hell-bent on protecting natural assets, supporting their community and each other this could be the job for you.  PHCC provides a supportive work environment with flexibility, hybrid work arrangements, career development and salary sacrifice opportunities and additional leave entitlements. 

What's on Offer 

The successful candidate will work from our Mandurah office with
flexibility to work from home and regional offices.

• Employment terms - This is a full-time position, 38 hours per week. Flexibility may be negotiated
• Length of Contract - August 2028, with probable extension
• Salary Range - $114,943 - $134,427 (+ phone allowance and superannuation)
• Salary Sacrifice - Options are available including purchasing additional leave
• Award/Agreement - The Fair Work Act and the National Employment Standards
• Wellbeing Days - 3 wellbeing days are provided in addition to other leave entitlements