RFT250115 - Provision of Utilities Engineering Manager for Water Utilities
Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) has 3 departments: Operations, Corporate Services and Communities, all reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Within the Operations department, the following functions operate:
• Infrastructure.
• Strategic program delivery and asset management.
• Water utilities.
• Emergency management and community safety.
• Parks and open spaces.
The Water Utilities team is responsible for the water and wastewater network and treatment and operation of 15 water treatment plants, 426 km of water mains and 7 wastewater treatment plants.
Within the Water Utilities team, the Manager of Water Utilities is responsible for 6 direct reports as follows:
• Technical Officer Water Utilities.
• Coordinator Water Utilities Engineering.
• Administration Assistant Water Utilities.
• Service Delivery Manager.
• Utilities Engineering Manager.
The Water Utilities team is seeking provision to engage a suitably experienced person to undertake an acting (secondment) role, Utilities Engineering Manager.
Further details, including the scope of work required, key responsibilities, abilities, skills and knowledge, qualifications and working conditions and safety requirements required are detailed in the below sections.
PARTICULARS OF GOODS AND SERVICES
Introduction
Reporting to the Water Utilities Manager, the Utilities Engineering Manager will be responsible for the:
• Developing growth, renewals and compliance strategies along with operational improvement projects.
This role will also provide day-to-day technical assistance, direction and leadership to the Utilities Engineering team and be an integral member of the Water Utilities leadership team.
The applicant is anticipated to fully embed themselves within the CHRC Water Utilities team for the duration of the Contract.
The duration of the engagement is 12 months from the project award with the possibility of a further 12 months at Council’s sole discretion. The applicant is required to be available for a minimum of 40 hours / week and be based in Emerald every second week or full time during critical time periods or as directed by the Water Utilities Manager.
The Utilities Engineering Manager is expected to have the following direct reports, the Water Network Infrastructure Engineer, the Water Infrastructure Planning Engineer and the Treatment Process Engineer.
The Utilities Engineering Manager is expected to work closely with the Major Project Manager for Water Utilities Capital Project delivery. The Major Project Manager reports to the Manager of Strategic Program Delivery and Asset Management.
Within the 12-month contract period, CHRC will continue actively recruiting permanent staff for the Utilities Engineering Manager role. Should the role be filled whilst the applicant is on secondment, the applicant will conduct a handover with the permanent new staff member. Following this, the applicant may be required to commence a delivery role within the Water Utilities team.
Key Responsibilities
The key responsibilities for the role include:
• Strategy development: Define and develop growth, renewals (master planning) and compliance and business efficiency strategies.
• Operational compliance: Ensure that regulatory plans are in place and meet the necessary approval conditions.
• Leadership: Lead, motivate, mentor, develop and support the team to service delivery excellence. Develop resourcing strategies to ensure successful delivery of services. Ensure employee performance is meeting expectations and managing these expectations successfully.
• Project and contract management: Oversee the management of projects ensuring projects are delivered within an appropriate timeframe, budget and legal framework.
• Stakeholder engagement: Establish a reputation for reliance and trust across the spectrum of stakeholders, including other levels of government, councillors, management, peers, co-workers and the general public.
• Safety and wellbeing: Promote a proactive safety culture and demonstrate commitment to zero harm. Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety legislation and CHRC procedures. Report and manage hazards, incidents, and unsafe practices. Identify continuous improvement opportunities in safety.
• Training and development: Participate in ongoing training and self-development. Support team members in achieving professional growth and continuous improvement.
• Customer service: Deliver high-quality customer service ensuring responsive and professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial and procurement management: Ensure adherence to CHRC’s procurement policies and procedures. Develop scopes for RFQs, RFTs, and manage budget planning, monitoring, and expenditure. Drive value-for-money outcomes in procurement decisions.
Additionally, this position may be required to conduct other duties as directed by the Water Utilities Manager.
Abilities, skills and knowledge
Mandatory:
• Over 15 years of leadership demonstrated in strategic planning roles.
• Proven high-level managerial and supervisory capabilities, including team building, quality assurance, total quality and time management.
• Extensive understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, network design and management, risk and asset management.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to Local Government and the operation of water and wastewater services.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with strong interpersonal, oral, and written abilities.
• Sound knowledge of project and contract management methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to promote leadership and a culture of safety excellence across water utility operations.
Desirable:
• Experience in financial management in a medium-to-large organisation.
• Political acumen and a capability to interpret the political environment.
Qualifications
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in engineering.
• Minimum of Queensland C class drivers’ license.
• Registered or able to obtain Registration as a Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ).
Working Conditions and Safety Requirements
• Primarily work indoors and carry out activities which may include constant hand functions, constant seated postures, occasional forward reaching, occasional standing, frequent neutral neck postures, occasional walking, frequent dynamic neck movement, lifting up to 10kg, carrying up to 10kg.
• Work outdoors and in areas where environmental factors may include head/cold, sun, rain, wind and noise.
• Adherence to CHRC's Health and Safety standards and procedures.
5. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONTRACT
Key Personnel and Relevant Experience
Please refer to “3 1 - S04 Relevant Experience.docx” returnable. Consultant to attach the document. The Consultant is to provide a minimum of 3 project examples within the “3 1 - S04 Relevant Experience.docx” returnable. The Consultant is to attach a CV. CV’s are to be maximum 3 pages in length.
Fee
Please refer “3 1 - S01 Fee.xlsx” returnable. Consultant to attach the document.
Understanding the Clients Objectives
Please refer “3 1 - S02 Methodology.docx” returnable. Consultant to attach the document. Please outline your understanding of CHRC’s objectives and how the acting role will contribute to achieving them. Reference CHRC’s goals, project drivers, and project outcomes where possible.
Local Content
The Consultant is to describe your contribution to local content (maximum 3-page limit), including:
• Use of local personnel.
• Local knowledge or experience in the Central Highlands Region.
• Plans to engage or benefit the local community (as/if applicable).
Other Documents
Please refer “_Consultancy - Request for Tender Form of Tender 1.docx“, “3 1 - S06 Insur-ance.docx”, “3 1 - S07 General Details.docx”, “3 1 - S11 Qualifications and Departures.docx” and “3 1 - S13 Conflict of Interest.docx” returnables. Consultant to attach all documents.