Coastal Management Officer

Your New Role:

As Council's lead technical specialist in coastal and floodplain management, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering strategic programs that respond to coastal hazards, flooding, climate change and environmental challenges.

You will lead the preparation, implementation, review and reporting of Council's Coastal Management Program (CMP) and coordinate flood studies, floodplain risk management studies and plans in accordance with the NSW Flood Risk Management Manual.

Working across Council and with specialist consultants and external stakeholders, you will manage complex projects from concept through to delivery, including procurement, budgets, grant funding, consultant management and project reporting.

You will also provide high-quality technical and strategic advice on coastal hazards, estuary processes, catchment management, climate adaptation, water quality and natural resource management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the preparation, implementation, review and reporting of Council's Coastal Management Program.
• Coordinate flood studies, floodplain risk management studies and floodplain risk management plans.
• Provide specialist technical advice on coastal hazards, flooding, estuary processes, catchment management, climate adaptation, water quality and natural resource management.
• Manage environmental, coastal and floodplain projects from inception through to completion, including scope development, procurement, consultant management, budgeting and delivery.
• Identify and manage external funding opportunities, including grant applications, reporting and project acquittals.
• Develop strategic policies, plans, technical reports and other documents supporting resilient land use, infrastructure planning and environmental outcomes.
• Build strong working relationships with government agencies, Traditional Owners, community groups, consultants, universities and other stakeholders.
• Prepare reports, briefing notes and presentations for Council, committees, the Executive Leadership Team and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate coastal monitoring, dune rehabilitation, estuary restoration and other coastal and floodplain management initiatives.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant legislation and Council requirements, with accurate records and effective governance maintained.

For a full list of the Key Accountabilities of the role, please refer to the Position Description.

You are a technically capable and collaborative professional who is passionate about creating practical solutions to coastal, flooding and environmental challenges.

You will bring a strong understanding of coastal management, floodplain risk management and climate adaptation, together with the ability to translate complex technical information into practical recommendations and strategic outcomes.

You will be confident managing multiple projects and priorities, working with consultants and contractors, overseeing budgets and funding programs, and communicating technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Coastal Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Marine Science or another relevant discipline, or equivalent demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering environmental, natural resource management, infrastructure or related technical projects.
• Sound knowledge of coastal management, floodplain risk management and climate adaptation principles.
• Experience preparing technical reports, strategic documents and funding applications.
• Strong project management, organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to work collaboratively across diverse groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation delivery.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Knowledge of relevant NSW planning, environmental and local government legislation.
• A current Class C Driver Licence.
• A General Construction Induction Card or willingness to obtain one.

The following qualifications, training or experience will be highly regarded:

• A qualification in project management or demonstrated project management experience.
• Experience working within NSW Local Government.
• Experience using GIS and spatial information systems, particularly ArcGIS Pro.
• Experience in coastal monitoring, dune rehabilitation, estuary restoration, floodplain management or related environmental programs.
• Training in environmental awareness and natural resource management.
• Current First Aid certification.
• Four-wheel-drive recovery training or experience operating in challenging field environments.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and working effectively through challenging or sensitive situations.

Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.

We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.8 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley.

As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:

• A permanent full-time position, 35 hour work week
• Monthly RDO’s
• Weekly salary of $1,847.76 to $2,079.67 (plus superannuation)
• Generous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five years
• A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs
• Fitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities
• Career development and learning opportunities
• Commuter use vehicle provided, allowing private use for travel between home and work
• Novated Leasing and salary packaging options
• A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow
• A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast

Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. Note that you will be required to prepare and submit:

• A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and
• Your current resume.

Applications Close: COB Wednesday 23 September 2026

Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Have questions? Please contact Peter Orr – Strategic and Environmental Planning Manager, for a confidential discussion on Ph: 02 6566 3200.

Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.

If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 02 6566 3200 or email jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au

Thank you and good luck with your application.

Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.