Who We Are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, we care for water, life and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet or kayak down the Yarra, we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

If you value making it count, diving in with curiosity, and doing what’s right, you're in the right place.

About The Role

We have a permanent, full time Leading Hand Natural Resource Management opportunity available in the Bayside & Dandenong team based from our South East Regional Office in Bangholme.

As the Leading Hand you will be responsible for providing in-field oversight of your work crew for delivery of natural resource management activities

This role is a level 3.1 under the Melbourne Water EA, dependant on experience the salary for the role is $77,210 (per annum). 

About You

Reporting to the Program Lead Environment, this pivotal role within the Bayside/Dandenong team will work across the region including remote and public sites performing weed control, revegetation and vegetation management along our key waterways such as Dandenong, Monbulk, Blind and Cardinia creeks, Cardinia reservoir, wetlands and other land assets.

This role provides on-the-ground leadership of a crew of four, delivering safe, efficient maintenance across waterways and drainage infrastructure.

You will plan and coordinate daily works, lead site operations, and ensure tasks are completed to standard and on schedule. This includes weed control, revegetation, inspections and data collection

A key focus of the role is leading your team in the field—driving safety, maintaining productivity, and ensuring clear communication across all works.

This role suits a hands-on operator with strong leadership capability who thrives in a practical, outdoor environment.

Your Skills and Experience 

• Demonstrated experience and capabilities working with and leading crews in Natural Resource Management, Land Management, or maintenance environment.
• Ability to safely lead and contribute in a team environment to follow and improve processes, respond to various demands and manage multiple activities simultaneously including emergency situations
• Demonstrated experience operating equipment and/or plant including rig spraying, knapsack spraying, hand tools associated with woody weed removal, planting augers etc
• Sound interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of people both within Melbourne Water, external organisations and with the general public
• Well-developed skills in Plant ID
• Confident in using a variety of technology, digital devices, apps and Excel
• Tertiary or TAFE qualifications in Conservation Land Management, Natural Resource Management or similar is preferable.
• Be physically fit and able to work in all types of weather conditions.
• Valid Victorian Driver’s license is mandatory
• Desirable other qualifications such as White Card, Chainsaw, ACUP, First Aid, SSUV etc.

For more information please review the Position Description:  Position Description - Leading Hand NRM.pdf

Why Join Us

At Melbourne Water, we care about water and all life that springs from it.

Our people are fuelled by passion, and with safety at the forefront, we have an unwavering sense of purpose, and are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We walk the talk when it comes to flexible working – but that’s not all. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning permeates everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, neurodivergent individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and care deeply for public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive an application and learn if you could be a great fit.

How To Apply

Click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete our online application form.

Closing date: Sunday the 12^th of July at 11:55pm AEST