Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 846833
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Role:

South Australia has more than 5000 km of coastline (including offshore islands) and more than 90% of South Australians live on or near the coast.  Managing and protecting our precious coastline is critical for our environmental, social and economic wellbeing.  The Department is offering a unique senior management opportunity to contribute to the stewardship of South Australia's coastline at a strategic level, influencing policy, shaping programs and delivering outcomes that have lasting environmental, social and economic impact.

The Manager, Coasts is a critical senior management role at the intersection of government, science and community outcomes. In this role you will lead a multidisciplinary team spanning policy, planning, science, engineering and operations who are responsible for supporting the Coast Protection Board (CPB), implementing the Coast Protection Act 1972 (the Act), and delivering the Adelaide Beach Management Program.  In this role you will provide high-quality, evidence-based advice to inform decision-making at executive and Ministerial levels, develop and lead strategic reform initiatives, align legislative and business process with Government and Board priorities, and foster strong partnerships with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that South Australia's coastal environments are protected and managed sustainably for current and future generations.

You will be an experienced leader with a strong track record in delivering complex programs within a policy, environmental or infrastructure context, bringing:

• Demonstrated experience in effectively leading and managing a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating adeptness in decision making, resource allocation, operational program delivery and fostering a collaborative environment to achieve organisational goals.
• Experience in developing and implementing agreed business and strategic plans and reporting on program outcomes.
• Ability to assimilate and interpret large amounts of complex information from a number of sources and proven ability to draw out themes, identify gaps, and deliver sound recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience in developing relationships, influencing and negotiating successful outcomes with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience leading teams during times of significant change, and driving organisational improvement, reform and performance outcomes.

We are keen to ensure we get the best match of skills, knowledge, experience and personal attributes to lead this critical team, and will consider candidates at the SM1 or SM2 levels to ensure we get the right match.  Whether you have extensive leadership experience or are early in your senior management journey we would like to find out what you can bring, and how you would shape and influence the future of coastal management in South Australia. The successful candidate will be appointed at either the SM1 or SM2 classification based on your demonstrated skills and expertise. Download both role descriptions and tell us more about how and why you will be successful in the role of Manager, Coasts.

What can we offer you!

• Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the great state of South Australia!
• Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Hybrid working model with flexible working options including work from home available to promote work life balance.
• Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
• Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Access to our Fitness Passport Program.
• Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: 
Ongoing

Desirable Qualifications:
A degree in environment, biological science, natural resource management or similar is desirable.

Special Conditions:

• May be required to participate in responses to state emergencies or associated duties.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
• Prior to being employed, the successful candidate will be required to provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), which is required to be renewed every three years. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.
• A current class “C” driver’s licence and willingness and ability to safely operate a 4wd is desirable.
• Inter and intrastate and remote area travel is required, including travel in light aircraft.
• May be required to undertake intra or interstate travel, occasional overnight and weekend absences, and work outside of the normal hours of work.

A successful applicant who is not currently employed by the Department for Environment and Water will be required to have an original photo identification document sighted and provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) issued within the last 12 months.

Remuneration: 
SM1, $139,538 p.a. / SM2 $148,683 p.a.

Enquiries to:
Matthew Ward, Director, Biodiversity Science, Coasts and Information
matthew.ward@sa.gov.au
0428 116 023

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, current CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages) addressing the Essential and Desirable Criteria (including qualifications) as outlined in the Role Description.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 11/06/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- RD - SM1 Manager, Coasts.pdf
- RD - SM2 Manager, Coasts.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.