Principal Hydrographic Surveyor

About this role

Shape the future of South Australia’s coastline Are you ready to share your expertise on cutting-edge survey techniques and lead fieldwork across South Australia’s iconic coast and marine environment to directly support the protection and enhancement of these priceless assets? Join The Coasts Unit within the Department for Environment and Water for a 12-month term opportunity and play a pivotal role in the operational delivery of the statewide coastal monitoring program that provides critical datasets to support decision-making. About the Role As the Principal Hydrographic Surveyor, you will join a team of skilled technical specialists to deliver robust coastal monitoring data across Adelaide’s metropolitan beaches to regional areas of the State to support the Coast Protection Board to deliver its statutory responsibilities under the Coast Protection Act 1972 . Key responsibilities will include: • Develop a robust quality assurance program ensuring scientific rigour. • Initiate innovation and efficiencies in monitoring technologies and methodologies. • Evaluate operations and outcomes to drive continuous improvement. • Oversee complex field operations in dynamic coast and marine environments. • Foster a strong safety culture in marine and field environments. • Identify, mitigate and troubleshoot risks to data quality or program delivery. • Provide clear and timely advice and early escalation of issues to leaders. What You’ll Bring You will be an experienced hydrographic surveyor who thrives in field-based, data-driven environments. • Experience in conducting survey techniques relating to coast, marine and estuarine environments. • Experience in scientific data management, including the collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, presentation of complex datasets to support evidence-based decision-making and reporting. • Ability to provide timely advice and recommendations to management on technical matters in written or verbal form. • Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships, support team cohesion, and engage constructively with stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. Why Choose Us? • Opportunity to innovate with cutting-edge technology in a highly specialised field • Be part of a collaborative, purpose-driven team. • Make a real difference to the protection and management of South Australia’s coast and marine environment. • Deliver high quality data that underpins decision-making for coastal management, policy, and planning. What can we offer you! • Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia! • Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance. • Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia. • Salary Sacrifice Benefits. • Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). • Access to our Fitness Passport Program. • Meaningful and rewarding career. Contract: This is a 12-months term opportunity, with possibility of extension. Essential Qualifications and/or Certifications: • An appropriate qualification in Surveying or similar. • Experience in conducting survey techniques relating to coast, marine and estuarine environments. • Experience in collecting, validating, analysing, interpreting, presenting and archiving scientific data and information. • Experience in providing advice and recommendations to management on technical matters in written or verbal form. • Proven track record in effectively supervising a team, and the ability to foster a collaborative environment to achieve organisational goals. • A current class “C” driver’s licence and willingness and ability to safely operate a 4wd is essential. • A current First Aid Certificate. Desirable criteria: • Current Truck licence (MR) desirable. • Knowledge and experience in procurement and contract management. • Open water diving qualification and current “fit to dive” medical certificate. • Coxswain certificate. • 25kg Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). Special Conditions: • May be required to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities required by government agencies. • You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia. • This role requires candidates to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which must be renewed every three years before expiry. DEW will cover the cost of renewal. • Inter and intrastate and remote area travel is required, including travel in light aircraft. • Will be required to undertake intra or interstate travel, occasional overnight absences, and work outside of the normal hours of work. A successful applicant who is not currently employed by the Department for Environment and Water will be required to have an original photo identification document sighted and provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) issued within the last 12 months. This information must be supplied by all applicants who are shortlisted for interview. Remuneration: TGO4, $97,996 min - $102,456 max p.a. Enquiries to: Felicity Beswick, Team Leader Coastal Operations & Engineering Felicity.Beswick@sa.gov.au Application Instructions: Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA. Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, CV and letter of application (maximum 3 pages). This letter should address the essential and desirable criteria (if applicable) outlined in the role description using the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action and Result) where appropriate. The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+. --> -->