Senior Policy Officer - Regional Waterways

This position will be leading streams of work aligned with the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy, Water is Life, and sustainable water strategies and other relevant policies and plans that support the regional waterway program. The role will be critical in the developing tools and guidance to underpin policies and strategies, responding to emerging issues, maintaining good governance to support regional delivery, evaluating regional programs, and informing policy and business case development. It will shape policy and strategy as well as deliver projects to continually improve the effectiveness of the regional waterway management framework in achieving positive environmental outcomes and climate change adaptation for waterways in Victoria. Areas of work may include regional waterway strategy renewals, oversight of Flagship projects, and other riparian and river channel, environmental water, wetlands, water quality, native fish, invasive species and estuaries policy and project work. 

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Essential – a degree qualification or higher, preferably in science, environmental engineering, natural resource management, environmental law, or a relevant equivalent.
• Essential – demonstrated knowledge of Victoria’s water resource management framework.

This is a fixed term position available until 11 June 2027. The work location for this position is 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers. 

Click the ‘Apply’ button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.

Applications close 11.59pm on Monday, 20 July 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply.  We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace.  If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.  For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.