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About the Company 

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

We operate in a geographically and climatically diverse service area, with sites and locations from Ceduna through to Port Augusta, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, across to the Riverland, down to Mount Gambier, and most places in between.

Our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we’re focused on understanding and meeting our customers’ expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About the job

We have an exciting opportunity available for an experienced Team Leader, or someone ready to step into their first leadership role, to join us as our Team Leader Barrages based at Goolwa, supporting the operation and maintenance of these iconic assets. This is a unique opportunity to combine hands-on leadership with meaningful work in a stunning outdoor environment. If you enjoy being out in the field, guiding and developing a close-knit team, and making a real impact on critical water infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.

About Operations and Maintenance 

Our team operates and maintains the barrages, conducting operational control activities for a secure water supply within the Lower Lakes and the River Murray. The team is also responsible for both planned and unplanned maintenance activities, integrating corrective, preventive, predictive, and precision maintenance strategies. They aim to meet availability, performance, cost, and risk targets by leveraging technical asset maintenance and reliability expertise. Operations & Maintenance strives to deliver smart and reliable services to customers while enhancing overall operational efficiency.

In addition, your responsibilities will include: 

Fostering trust with our people, customers and community by providing expert advice and service that ensure we effectively communicate and engage audiences with our business strategy and its delivery across South Australia, every day. 

You will: 

• Lead and coordinate a small team of 5, overseeing day-to-day operations and allocating tasks to ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.
• Provide on-the-ground leadership, supporting your team through decision-making, problem solving, and continuous feedback.
• Plan, schedule, and program work activities, ensuring resources, equipment, and materials are available and utilised effectively.
• Operate and maintain barrage structures to a high standard, including monitoring flows, managing water levels, and providing accurate operational data.
• Ensure safe and efficient passage of river traffic through locks and support navigable pass operations during high flow periods.
• Monitor budgets, manage expenditure, and identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring work is delivered to a high standard.
• Maintain plant and equipment, ensuring all maintenance aligns with asset management plans.
• Contribute to a culture of service excellence by ensuring customer needs are met and issues are resolved in a timely manner.
• Support environmental outcomes, including activities such as fishway monitoring and protection works where required.

Your success in this role will come from:

• Desire to effectively develop, motivate, and lead a team – Essential
• Strong understanding of river systems and the operation of barrages, locks, and environmental structures – Essential
• Proficiency in modern computerised systems and reporting tools – Essential
• Ability to operate autonomously and demonstrate sound judgement and integrity – Essential
• Demonstrated experience in planning, scheduling, and implementing work programs – Essential
• Experience managing expenditure and working within budget constraints – Essential
• White Card – Essential
• Coxswain Certificate and/or Boat Licence – Desirable

Further information can be found in the attached PD –  Team Leader - Barrages PD.docx

Applications close 4pm, Thursday 4th June 2026.

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au.

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.