Flood Operations Specialist

Australian Public Services Level 6

Salary: $94,563 - $105,910 plus an additional 15.4% superannuation

Location: Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney

Position overview

Australia is regularly affected by severe weather events. These events are growing in frequency and severity, leading to increased impacts on the economy, infrastructure, property, and wellbeing.

To address this, the Bureau of Meteorology has undertaken significant steps to deliver a more customer focussed, integrated and resilient national operation through the Community Services Group (CSG).

CSG is comprised of Environmental Prediction Services (EPS), Decision Support Services (DSS) and National Production Services (NPS) which have been configured to enable scalable, national and resilient services. Operating with a national capability, this program is establishing a world class centre of scientific expertise and practice. To achieve this, EPS has been configured into four predictive service units: Severe Weather, Marine and Antarctic, Water, and Climate, each of which play a key role in the value chain of the Bureau's capability to deliver a suite of valuable products and services to the Australian community. Within EPS Water, different functions work together in an integrated manner to ensure the Bureau continues to develop its foundational water information capabilities, and seamlessly delivers Water Services that ensure public safety, and meet our obligations under the Water Act.

Responsibilities of EPS Water include leading the Bureau's rostered National Water Operations Team (NWOT) delivering flood and 7-day streamflow forecasting services, 365 days a year, adopting a national risk-based approach; applying best practice approaches in water forecasting

and enhancing our expertise in geospatial capabilities and water. All functions have a strong focus on continuous improvement of all our products, processes and tools, underpinned by a learning and development culture to ensure continued delivery of high-quality forecast, warning and information services for our customer.

The primary responsibility of this role is focussed on year-round operational flood forecasting and warning as part of a planned National Water Operations Team (NWOT) roster. This roster will be extended to provide 24/7 coverage as required during enhanced flood operations. Outside of NWOT duties, this role will lead projects that drive continuous improvement of flood warning services, water forecasting or water data related services aligned with a key national capability area. This may include the development and improvement of flood forecasting systems, forecasting techniques, processes, training and documentation that support the national Flood Warning Service or the Flood Warning network including using GIS related skills to analyse and visualise data. There will be an expectation that suitable candidates will be able to work across a number of the teams in EPS Water to develop operational resilience and to ensure diversity of work.

To be successful in this role, you will have a good understanding of operational flood forecasting and the total flood warning system underpinned by a solid hydrology or meteorology background. The role will require the occupant to support shifts on a planned roster and work seamlessly with colleagues in NPS and DSS to deliver an unrivalled water operations service.

You will possess a sound ability to excel in high pressure, complex and dynamic operating environments such a during severe weather events. During periods of enhanced flood risk and severe weather events, you will be committed to supporting the Bureau and our customers outside the scope of standard working hours.

Role responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

1. Connecting seamlessly and coherently within the Bureau's national operational footprint, the Flood Operations Specialist will maintain an awareness of the daily weather and flood risk across Australia and the potential for severe weather events.

2. As part of the NWOT, the role will focus on monitoring rainfall and river height data, running hydrologic flood models, preparing and issuing flood warning products and liaising with colleagues across the Bureau's value chain and external stakeholders including emergency responders and water management agencies for Australia

3. Supporting national flood operations, ensuring systems are operationally ready and resources are available.

4. Making evidence-based decisions under pressure using up-to-date science, sound judgement, the application of best-practice principles and the Bureau's operating procedures.

5. Ensuring operations are collaborative, responsive, and built on the principles of innovation and continuous improvement.

6. Building strong relationships with teams across the Bureau's value chain and external stakeholders, with the ability to communicate technical information clearly to further convey the information provided in flood warning products.

7. Supporting projects that drive continuous improvement aligned with your Team's portfolio of projects.

8. Strong technical and communication skills, combined with leadership, personal resilience, decisiveness, astute problem-solving skills.

9. Ability to manage within high pressure, complex and dynamic operating environments, supporting the Bureau, our customers and partners as part of the NWOT planned roster.

10. This role will be required to support our routine national flood operations which includes a planned roster involving out of hours restriction with extended hours, particularly during flood events for which relevant compensation will be offered.

11. An ability to respond positively to change and uncertainty is essential. Suitable candidates will be highly motivated self-starters and team players who are able to work within an interdisciplinary and diverse work environment under limited supervision.

12. An ability to think laterally, identify, implement and promote improved work practices.

13. Commitment to APS Values and Code of Conduct and understanding of the Bureau's diversity and inclusion statement of commitment and the Bureau way.

14. Complying with all Bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct

Merit pool

The selection process will establish a merit pool that may be used to fill similar positions within 18 months.

How to apply

Applications can be lodged through the Bureau of Meteorology Careers.

Your application will consist of a resume, contact details for two referees and an ‘800-word pitch’ that considers:

• position overview

• job responsibilities

• selection criteria