Careers and employment opportunities with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Choose your environment
Last updated: 8 June 2023
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Here at DWER our people are our greatest asset.  

As a DWER employee you will be working in a government agency that is responsible for contributing to a healthy environment and secure water resources, to support a liveable and prosperous Western Australia. We achieve this by discharging several pieces of legislation, which combined make sure that our environmental assets are protected, and our water resources are well managed and equitably shared by all.

We are proud to be an organisation that celebrates and is committed to providing employment opportunities that create and maintain a diverse workforce that best reflects the community we serve. We have a progressive, supportive and inclusive culture where employees feel valued, respected and connected.  

The diversity of our workforce is our strength, it enhances our ability to be forward thinking as well as responsive in the services we deliver to the Western Australian community, and recognises intergenerational care for Country by traditional custodians and provides genuine opportunities for Aboriginal people within our workforce. 

Explore a rewarding career working for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and join our team through our exciting range of roles, programs and opportunities. Be part of the change by helping us build solutions to climate change, finding new ways to deliver our work through digital transformation, and assisting us ensure a sustainable future for our state.

Why work for us

Working for us provides you the opportunity to…

Participate in meaningful work

Protect our environment and water resources, finding solutions to climate change, helping provide a sustainable future and digitally transforming our business. 

Engage with Aboriginal organisations and stakeholders

These projects ensure we respect and empower our First Nations people with the shared goal of caring for Country and protecting and celebrating culture.

Thrive in a values-based organisation

Our a workplace culture lives the organisational values created by our people – We Care, Better Together, We Build Trust, Open Minds, We Serve to Make A Difference – In every aspect of how we work and do business.

Work in a new, 5.5-star energy rated head office

Prime House in Joondalup is accessible, designed to promote collaboration, includes great facilities and has built-in technology for a digital workforce. Or join one of our regional offices spread across our beautiful state.  

Feel part of a future-focused agency

We provide each employee with their own work laptop and our agile workplace encourages and supports a healthy work/life balance through flexible work options such as: working from home up to 50 per cent of your rostered hours, part-time work, flexible start and finish times and job-share arrangements.

Access employee benefits

There’s salary packaging, purchased leave and an active social club which organises sundowners, functions, discounted tickets to local events and much more. We even have a choir who sing for fun and the occasional corporate event.

Our comprehensive Wellness program ensures staff and their immediate family can access a range of support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). There is cultural leave for Aboriginal staff and confidential family and domestic violence leave and safety support where needed. We also run regular health and wellbeing events, including online webinars and face-to-face ‘lunch and learns’.

Get involved in exciting projects for our state

These include the Container Deposit Scheme, Plastic Bag and Straw Ban, Environment Online, Waste Wise Schools, Pollution Response, Native Vegetation protection and the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy to name a few.

Be part of an organisation that supports curiosity and continuous learning

You will have access to networking, mentoring support and development opportunities to ensure you have the skills you need for today and into the future as our purpose and business evolves.

Be recognised and rewarded for outstanding contributions and staff achievements through our employee recognition programs and awards, both department and peer nominated.

Participate in a calendar of events throughout the year for staff, including amazing key speakers that celebrate, support and educate on diversity and inclusion, and important social issues.

Communicate, collaborate and network with DWER colleagues wherever you are on our Yammer platform. This allows our staff to share information and stories in a more interactive social way. 

Thrive in a diverse office community

Access workplace adjustments, equipment and support where reasonably possible to ensure People with Disability have the same opportunities as all to gain meaningful employment and perform the inherent requirements of their role.

Some of our channels include Safety & Wellbeing, Working Flexibly, DWERversity; LGTBQI+ employees and allies, the Yarning Circle for sharing and discussion of Aboriginal programs and initiatives, NeuroDWERversity – employee support and discussion, and many more.

Know your opinion matters

Work for an organisation that values transparency and communication with opportunities to provide feedback to corporate executive through anonymous pulse surveys as well fortnightly update videos from the Director General and an active intranet of latest news articles and information.

Active campaigns

Graduate Program

The department also offers opportunities for graduates. Our Graduate program is an equity, diversity and youth initiative. If you have graduated from university in the last two years or know someone who has, visit our Graduate Program page for more information.

Career opportunities

You can access all our current job vacancies through the WA Government Jobs Board. Further below you will find information on how to register to receive automatic updates when we post a new vacancy on the jobs board.

Joining from outside Australia

There’s never been a better time to join our team! At the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), we support Western Australia’s community, economy and environment by managing and regulating the state’s environment and water resources, and we’re looking for diverse, passionate people to join our team of leading experts.

Our department is a well-respected provider of scientific evidence and analysis, with staff who strive to make a difference managing Western Australia’s water and environment. We’re always keen to engage with passionate and talented people wanting to make a difference in the fields of:

  • environmental specialists/officers
  • climate specialists/officers
  • air quality specialists/officers
  • water science specialists/officers
  • engineers
  • water data auditors
  • hydrogeologists
  • hydrologists

With offices in Joondalup and across the state you’re sure to find a location and opportunity that allows you to be a part of the team working towards securing a cleaner, healthier environmental future.

Does this sound like you? Want to hear more?

If you’re interested in employment opportunities within the department let us know your details here.

Immigrating to Australia

Considering a career with us from overseas? Here’s some supportive information to help make the right choice.

Immigrating - Department of Home Affairs

Banking - Register of authorised deposit-taking institutions | APRA

Taxes - Tax and super in Australia: what you need to know | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)

Superannuation - Your superannuation basics | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)

Overseas qualification assessment - Department of Home Affairs

Department support

Overseas recruitment decisions at DWER will be based on the following principles:

  • to acquire the desired skills and knowledge that are not currently available in Australia
  • to enhance managerial competence, and operational and technical expertise
  • to improve and enhance DWER’s research, scientific expertise, regulatory capability and public sector performance.

Visas, working rights and educational degree assessment

The visa type and any associated working rights must satisfy the nature of the employment opportunity and is determined by the intended purpose of a prospective staff member to the department.

Any offer of employment is conditional upon you holding a valid passport, satisfying Australian immigration requirements, and being declared medically fit and appropriately vaccinated to live and work in Australia. It is very important that each of these requirements have been met before any commencement.

There are several visa options that can be matched to the purpose of your time in Australia and the appointment. It’s very important you have the appropriate visa in place before arrival in Australia and you are strongly recommended to confirm this with the Department of Home Affairs.

Financial support

DWER may consider supporting your visa application or other associated immigration costs. This would require a recommendation to be approved in writing by our Director General and would be discussed in detail with the hiring manager.

Where the department agrees to provide financial support, it will pay or reimburse the following reasonable costs:

  • applicable visa application costs
  • applicable sponsorship
  • Skilling Australians Fund levy
  • other immigration requirements as agreed.

Depending on the nature of your engagement with us, DWER may have certain conditions or employment milestones to satisfy before you choose to resign. If these aren’t met, you may be liable to reimburse some, or all, of the application or associated immigration costs afforded by the department. Your hiring manager and our Human Resources branch will make sure this is clearly understood in your engagement conversations and documents.

Accommodation

Accommodation is generally not provided by the department. Before accepting an appointment, it is crucial you have determined and secured appropriate accommodation for yourself and any family members accompanying you.

To assist you with your search the below are offered as a start in determining your accommodation options:

Domain.com.au | Real Estate & Properties For Sale & Rent

Real Estate Perth | Property and Houses for Sale in Perth & WA - REIWA

Search for Real Estate, Property & Homes - realestate.com.au

Registering with WA Government Jobs Board

Employment opportunities with the Government of Western Australia are listed on the WA Government Jobs Board. When you register with this site an email will be forwarded to you automatically whenever a position of potential interest to you is advertised.

How to register on the WA Government Jobs Board

  1. Go to jobs.wa.gov.au
  2. Select Search for Job Vacancies
  3. Select Email Me Job from left menu
  4. Register by accepting the conditions
  5. Complete the New Account Details and Save (a password will be sent to your email address – this may take a few minutes)
  6. Select Login from the left menu and complete your email address and password details
  7. Select Profile under My Jobs
  8. Select Department of Water and Environmental Regulation from the Agency search box (and select options from other search boxes such as Occupation and Salary Range to further define positions of potential interest to you) and Save

Now that you are registered, an email will be sent to you whenever a job of potential interest to you is advertised. You can access and download any of these job vacancies plus supporting information, and even submit your application online via the WA Government Jobs Board.
 

Supporting access needs

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..

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
  • SMS relay – 0423 677 767
     

Useful resources

Below are a range of resources to assist you to understand a little more about us before applying for a job.

Our latest Annual report
Our Strategic Plan
Our Regulatory approach
Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP)
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 
Our Multicultural Plan 
 

We can’t wait to hear from you

You’ll be part of a team making a difference