Take Charge of Regional Progress: Make a Lasting Environmental Impact
in Western Australia!
As Western Australia’s primary water and environmental regulator, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has a responsibility to be an influential and future-focused organisation. Our vision is for a low-carbon Western Australia with a healthy environment and secure water resources for future generations.
The department holds itself accountable to being fair, efficient and effective. We respect First Nations people’s people knowledge and cultural advice. As a forward-looking department we are guided by good science and embrace new technologies and practices. We value and engage with our stakeholders and we strive to be transparent in all we do and to build trusted relationships.
Our values-based culture reflects who we are and how we go about business. We would love you to see some of the exciting work and opportunities available at DWER.
We care | We build trust | Better together | Open minds | We serve to make a difference
Find out more about us by visiting our website at www.dwer.wa.gov.au.
The Opportunity:
The newly formed Statewide Delivery directorate is the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Department, delivering core regulatory services across the state, including water regulation and environmental industry and native clearing approvals, and has recently embarked on an exciting reform agenda. The directorate regulates a large and diverse range of industries and businesses and plays an important role within the Approvals portfolio as the external face of the agency, leveraging DWER’s regional presence across the State.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has offices across WA, from Esperance in the Great Southern to Kununurra in the East Kimberley and we are looking to fill Regional Director vacancies in a number of these regions within our Statewide Delivery directorate. We currently have immediate vacancies located in the following regions:
- Mid West Gascoyne (Geraldton)
- Swan Avon (Victoria Park) and;
- South Coast (Albany) region.
Want to know more? Listen to Fleur Coaker, Director Statewide Delivery (Water) talk about the benefits of working in Western Australia’s beautiful regions.
For further information about working in our Regional Locations, click here: DWER Regional Locations.
About the role:
The Regional Director leads teams to deliver programs and services, including water regulation and compliance, hydrography operations, environmental and water planning advice, waterways management and regional office administration and management. The position holds delegated authority for water regulation decisions and play a key role in leading assessments and decisions for complex and high-risk licence applications and issues. They provide leadership to the region and Statewide Delivery Directorate, engage with stakeholders and government agencies, and support partnerships with Traditional Owners. They also contribute to native title negotiations and implement regulatory reforms, aligning goals with broader departmental priorities.
The Regional Director role will report to the Director Statewide Delivery (Water) and will be responsible for leading a diverse team of skilled professionals. In these roles you will have the opportunity to embed new ways of working and work on initiatives from the ground up. You will need to innovate and make decisions that will shape the direction and success of the regions, keeping natural resources and landscapes healthy and resilient for future generations, whilst ensuring the State remains economically vibrant. The occupants of these positions lead by example and consistently display our values by actively promoting strategies, policies and systems that supports the work of the department.
As a department we recognise that flexible working arrangements support effective work-life balance, empowers our people and increases team productivity. We are committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce that promotes an inclusive and supportive workplace environment. We value the unique diversity of experience that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women and youth bring to our workforce.
For further information about the opportunity, we encourage you to contact Fleur Coaker, Director Statewide Delivery (Water) on (08) 9965 7401 or via email fleur.coaker@dwer.wa.gov.au during business hours (please note email address is not to be used for application submissions).
About You:
We are seeking individuals with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability that balances the need for regional economic development. You will have a positive future-focused mindset, with proven ability to build, develop and lead a team to deliver effective outcomes.
The ideal candidate will exhibit strong leadership in promoting the Directorate's strategic direction and fostering teamwork. They will lead through change, be able to think strategically and lead the operational delivery of key programs within their responsibility and influence. The collaborative working style of this person will ensure a joined-up approach is undertaken in providing advice and managing issues across Statewide Delivery teams, with the other Directorates across the Approvals Portfolio and internally across DWER. Building and maintaining positive relationships within and outside the Department is key, alongside a high commitment to integrity and professionalism. The role also requires clear communication of complex information, persuasive negotiation, and obtaining stakeholder support for sustainable outcomes.
To be successful in this role, you will have experience working in the field of environmental management, renewable energy or regulatory policy development and implementation. You will be an experienced leader who has enthusiasm for collaboration and engagement and enjoys the challenge of finding a ‘better way’ to do things. As an external-facing senior leader in the Statewide Delivery team, you know people are the organisation’s greatest asset and you have both the energy and resilience to drive change that creates value for stakeholders, the community and environment.
At DWER, we see every employee as a leader. This belief drives our success. To support this, we have established clear Leadership Expectations. For this role, you will be Leading Leaders. Demonstrating the expected behaviours is crucial and aligned with the role's requirements.
What’s in it for me?
We provide an inclusive, supportive, and safe workplace that empowers a diverse workforce to make a difference. Working as a Regional Director provides
- better work-life balance, nature that’s unique to the region and all the perks that being a part of a vibrant community brings.
- the opportunity to be involved with exciting, interesting, and meaningful work.
- competitive salary plus 11.5% employer superannuation contribution and access to salary packaging options.
- access to an assortment of personal and professional development and training opportunities.
- leading wellness program promoting a healthy work / life balance that includes funded flu vaccinations and employee assistance programs.
- a strong networking and social environment.
- clearly defined career progression pathways.
How to apply:
If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in this opportunity, please apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above or below) and provide the following in Word or PDF format:
- A comprehensive CV that details your experience relevant to this opportunity;
- Up to two (2) page cover letter outlining the key responsibilities and achievements you have had during your career in context of the attached Job Description and Leadership Expectations.
- Two (2) referees (one preferred to be a current supervisor or recent manager).
Please Note:
- To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have documentary evidence of entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the employment opportunity.
- DWER conducts employment screening which may include a National Criminal History check.
- As part of this selection for this process, DWER may use a variety of testing methods including video interviews, psychometric assessments and group testing.
- DWER may also conduct an executive search to further supplement the field.
- All of the role-specific requirements and leadership behaviours in the attached job description document will be assessed as part of the process.
* Applicants with an overseas qualification must submit a valid assessment from the Overseas Qualification Unit (OQU). For more information visit migration.wa.gov.au.
For technical difficulties while applying online or information about the application process, please contact us for assistance on (08) 6364 7007 or at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au – email address not to be used for submission of applications.
Access Needs
We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on:
- TTY/voice calls – 133 677
- Speak & Listen – 1300 555 727
If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact us at recruitment@dwer.wa.gov.au or on (08) 6364 7007.
This pool will operate for a period of 12 months with vacancies being offered at part or full time on a permanent or fixed term contract basis with the possibility of extension or permanency. Pool applicants do not hold a right of review against appointment decisions made from the pool.
CLOSING DATE: 4:00pm, Friday, 31 January 2025 (Australian Western Standard Time)
(Please note that interviews are anticipated to be held in mid-February 2025).
Applications that are in progress or submitted after the closing time will not be accepted.
