Careers

The following provides some detail about our recruitment and selection process:

Position description

The Position Description lists the core duties of the position, any pre-requisites such as qualifications or licenses, and the key knowledge and skills required for the role. A link to the Position Description can be found at the bottom of each advertisement.

Advertising the position to attract a range of applicants

We advertise internally and externally, to attract a suitable pool of candidates. Our external advertisements can appear in local papers, our website, Seek, LinkedIn, specialist recruitment websites, and occasionally via recruitment consultants. We ask you to apply in writing through our website, addressing the “About You” section of the advertisement within your Cover Letter, demonstrating how your relevant skills and experience will make you the best candidate for the role. Applicants who fail to submit a cover letter are unlikely to be shortlisted.

Shortlisting applicants

We do not require a written response to Key Selection Criteria as part of the application process. Instead, we ask that you address the “About You” section of the advertisement within your cover letter, detailing how you meet the skills, knowledge and experience required for the role. 
We shortlist applicants by assessing the cover letter and resume against the role specific requirements. The highest ranked candidates are shortlisted for the next stage.

Selection panel and Interviews

Our selection panels consist of the manager or supervisor for the role, a member of Human Resources and an additional panellist. The selection panel will consist of a mixture of both male and female panellist to ensure gender balance. The questions asked at interview will relate to the criteria content in the advertisement, Southern Rural Water values and other areas of responsibility outlined in the position description.

We believe in making the interview process as accessible as possible for all abilities, so please advise us if you require any reasonable adjustments for the interview process and we will endeavor to accommodate your request. 

Offer of employment

After the selection process and reference checking, we will make a formal offer of employment to the selected candidate. This offer of employment is in the form of a letter and requires acceptance prior to beginning the position at Southern Rural Water.

Employment checks

All new employees at Southern Rural Water must complete a mandatory Police Check in addition to other role specific checks including medical and qualification. All pre-employment checks are at Southern Rural Water's expense.

Unsuccessful applicants

We notify all unsuccessful applicants once the selection process has been completed. If you received an interview, you will be phoned by the hiring manager, all other applicants will be notified via email.

Southern Rural Water is a great place to work. We strive to provide exceptional service to our customers and community and seek to attract talented and motivated people whose values align with ours.

It’s important to us that our people:

• Are safe, healthy and motivated at work
• Live our values, which are always safe, accountable, one team and legacy
• Value and embrace diversity and inclusion
• Are committed to continuous learning and focus on innovation and improvement
• Share their knowledge and ideas for sustainable outcomes
   

We provide a working environment that inspires people to achieve their goals. We offer:

• Flexible working conditions
• Mobile technology, enabling you to work from anywhere
• Training workshops and leadership forums
• Study assistance
• Free flu vaccinations and annual medical checks
• Employee assistance program
• 15 days sick/carer’s leave
• 14 weeks paid (or 28 weeks at half pay) parental leave and 2 weeks paid paternity leave
• Adoption leave
• Paid Cultural and Ceremonial leave
• Paid Domestic Violence leave
• Purchased leave options including 48/52
• Long service leave accessible after seven years
   

We also understand that people have commitments outside of work. Our approach to flexibility supports people to achieve their personal and professional goals.

What our people say about working at Southern Rural Water

“Working in an industry that delivers an important service to communities is rewarding and the flexibility is fantastic.”

“It’s great working for a smaller organisation, you really get to know everyone you work with. I guess that’s why people stay at Southern Rural Water so long”

“Southern Rural Water is a great employer with even better staff. Southern Rural Water has provided me with the opportunities, challenges, and flexibility I need to keep me energised to do the best I can.”

“The technology provided allows me to log-on from anywhere and be fully effective. Southern Rural Water cares about organisational culture and is always striving to improve.”

“Southern Rural Water are great to work for because I can negotiate flexible work arrangements to help make work fit my life. There are opportunities to be involved in projects and these opportunities boost my development.”

Southern Rural Water is strongly committed to having a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, thinking and skills.

We have a Diversity and Inclusion Plan in place to ensure we stay focused on the benefits that diversity brings to our organisation.

Some examples of our many diversity and inclusion activities include:

• Corporate membership of Pride in Diversity
• Actively developing our relationship with Traditional Owners across our region
• Diversity and inclusion workshops for all our staff in leadership roles
   

If you are wondering whether you are suitable for a role at Southern Rural Water and want to discuss our approach to diversity further, please don’t hesitate to contact our People and Culture team via peopleandculture@srw.com.au

To be eligible for employment you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or
• have lodged an application for citizenship, or
• have a visa to live and work in Australia.

You can apply for all vacancies online by clicking on the current vacancies below.

The following information will help ensure that you best demonstrate your skills and abilities in your application:

Include a covering letter

Include a covering letter which provides a brief overview of who you are, why you are interested in the role and address the “About You” section of the advertisement to assist in demonstrating the current knowledge, skills and experience you have that align with the role.

Resume

Include an up-to-date resume outlining your qualifications, licences, work history, skills, relevant training undertaken and referees. Your work history should include a brief summary of positions held, the main tasks and responsibilities of each position, and any achievements that may be relevant to your application.

Your contact details

Please include your daytime phone number, an email address if you have one and a mailing address.

Referees

As part of the recruitment process, we may ask you for professional referees. We will confirm these at interview stage and recommend that you advise your referees that they may be contacted by us.

Where to send your application?

Apply online through the current vacancies link below. If you have any issues with submitting your application please reach out to our People and Culture team at peopleandculture@srw.com.au 

Our lines of business are:

Strategy, People and Culture

Responsible for consultation and notification with our customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and consider their views through all significant projects and responsible for human resources management. Portfolio includes Communications, Human Resources, Strategy, Water Resource Strategy, Environment and Policy Development. 
 

Finance, Safety and Risk 

Responsible for providing high quality financial advice management of SRW’s risk management framework and responsible for workplace health, safety and wellbeing. Portfolio includes Accounting, Risk Management, Payroll, Accounts Payable and Health, Safety and Wellbeing. 
 

Service Delivery 

Responsible for the operation of our irrigation districts including the Macalister, Werribee and Bacchus Marsh as well as managing licence diversions from surface and groundwater. Portfolio includes Eastern Irrigation Business (EIB), Western Irrigation Business (WIB), Groundwater and Rivers, Application Assessment, Metering, and Service Modernisation. 
 

Asset Futures 

Tasked with modernising and managing our assets throughout their lifecycle including seven major water storage dams providing water for irrigation customers, urban water authorities and the Latrobe Valley power generators. Portfolio consists of Capital Delivery, Capital Planning, Headwork Operations, and Dam Safety. 
 

Customers and Technology 

Responsible for providing modern Information Technology services and helpful customer service. Portfolio consists of Customer Service, ICT Delivery, ICT Operations.

Lifestyle

• Opportunities for flexible hours and working conditions, including working from various locations, and working from home
• An extensive health promotion program
• Salary sacrifice and other flexible remuneration practices
• Work/life balance including part-time hours, time in lieu, and rostered days off
• Employee Assistance Program providing support for staff and their families
   

Location

• We have four main office locations:
  • Maffra, close to the Gippsland Lakes, snow fields, ocean, and mountains
  • Mitcham, ideally located close to the Eastern Freeway,
  • Werribee, for those from the western side of Melbourne, and
  • Warrnambool, close to the Great Ocean Road and the best Victorian beaches.
     

Culture

• We have very low rate of internal conflict either between staff or with unions, and a positive working culture
• Stable secure employment and low staff turnover
• A medium size business allows us to be efficient, have more personalised programs, and foster a workplace where everyone knows each other
• Strong rural community and work culture, coupled with the quality of life from rural living
• A broad mix of age groups providing a balance of views
• A management and women’s network focus on gender balance / opportunities
• A clearly defined corporate strategy
• A focus on the importance of excellence in customer service
   

Development

• Training and development – Internal and external training provided to assist you in performing your role and increase your skills
• Study assistance for tertiary degrees
• A strong focus on new technology and adapting new ways of work including mobile offices, videoconferencing, remote field checks and meter reads etc.