Senior Network Engineer (Three Waters) - Queenstown (QLDC)

Lakes District Council is at the very heart of a dynamic community. Our services are essential to the people in our region and include infrastructure development, community recreational facilities and planning, building and other regulatory services.

We’re proud to be QLDC, and in response to the growth the district has experienced over recent years, QLDC has itself experienced substantial growth. We genuinely believe in developing our people and providing them with all the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.

About the role:
As the Three Waters reform progresses across Aotearoa, Queenstown Lakes District Council remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable water services to our communities - now and into the future. We’re currently recruiting for several key roles within our water services team. These roles are essential to our ability to deliver for the district, regardless of whether service delivery remains within QLDC or transitions to a Water Services Commercial Council-Owned Organisation (WSCCO) under the national reform.

We’re looking for a Senior Network Engineer (Three Waters) to join our Strategy and Infrastructure Planning team in Queenstown. Reporting to the Strategy Planning Manager, you will be responsible for providing technical expertise at the network and facility level (including treatment plants and pumping stations) to support strategic and long-term infrastructure planning for QLDC’s Property and Infrastructure Directorate's Three Waters asset portfolio.

Responsibilities of the role:

•  Providing engineering technical advice and subject matter expertise to Council’s Spatial Growth Planning, the 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy and masterplans.
• Managing and delivering the work for the feasibility/option and concept design phases for infrastructure, demand management, storm water management projects and the delivery of investigations, trials and studies as necessary.
• Assisting the Strategy Planning Manager (Three Waters) to evaluate individual and team-level work plans to ensure they are continually prioritised and aligned with broader departmental priorities and available resourcing.
• Ensuring QLDC infrastructure planning activities and outputs meet all quality and legislative requirements (QLDC, LGA, RMA, WSA, HSEA, etc.).

A typical day might include:

• Assisting the Strategy Planning Manager (Three Waters) to evaluate individual and team-level work plans to ensure they are continually prioritised and aligned with broader departmental priorities and available resourcing.
• Delivering the work and checking on the delivery progress for programmes and projects, including completing any reporting requirements.
• Reviewing, providing direction for, and delivering option and concept design phases of programmes and projects.
• Coordination of QLDC submissions on three waters-related Taumata Arowai, ORC, and other public consultation documents.
• Liaison with or presentation to internal or external stakeholders.

What we offer:
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, wellbeing, and professional growth, including:

• Southern Cross Wellbeing One Plan
• Discounted membership to our health and fitness facilities
• Hybrid working practices
• Genuine commitment to your training and career development

What you'll bring:
You will have at least 10 years of relevant post-qualification experience and will bring a deep understanding of Three Waters engineering, strategic planning, business case development, urban planning policies, and local and national legislation. Essential to the role are strong technical, analytical,and reporting skills, along with exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities.

To best succeed in this role, you’ll have:

• Engineering degree or another relevant discipline (Bachelor’s degree required).
• 10 years’ minimum relevant post-qualification experience a must.
• Strategic Three Waters or infrastructure-related Better Business Case experience.
• A strong understanding of three waters engineering, planning and current industry practice, business case processes, urban planning policies, local and national government legislation,
  council practices and constraints.
• Knowledge and experience with the application of project management methodologies (e.g. Prince2, PMBOK).
• Excellent people and communication skills, and a strong customer ethos.
• Highly motivated, achievement-orientated and innovative professional.

To apply, please follow the link. For any questions prior to applying, please contact Brent Pearce, Strategy & Infrastructure Planning Manager, on [email protected]

Applications close: Friday 1st August 2025

Please note we will review and process applications as they come through; we encourage your early application.