Exciting Careers

Emma, Senior Water Resources Engineer, Assets and Operations

I started working here in January 2001. I saw Hunter Water as a progressive organisation which offered a challenging career in the water resource field. I also thought I could achieve the work lifestyle balance I was after by living in Newcastle.
I initially worked in the operational section, or the 'engine room' of Hunter Water. This experience gave a valuable grounding to appreciate how things actually worked and the impacts of management decisions at the ground level. It also provided the opportunity to interact with some great people in the field, something you can miss out on in an office based consulting job.
My current role is the Senior Water Resource Engineer and I am responsible for the timely delivery of water resource infrastructure to meet growth and regulatory requirements. It is a challenging role, but offers a great mix of engineering, science, communication and management work. This role has definitely met my expectations of a career in engineering which focuses our interaction with the natural environment.
Working in the water resource field has definitely been a highlight of my career. Becoming involved in strategic decisions in water resources has certainly been a challenging role, particularly in the current climate. Being part of a team which delivers on multi-million dollar projects to meet the needs of the Lower Hunter community - there is never a dull moment!
Hunter Water can offer a challenging career in a wide range of disciplines. The organisation is large enough to give you plenty room to move (horizontally as well as vertically), but not so large to make you feel insignificant. Importantly, I have found Hunter Water to offer plenty of opportunities and, if you are willing to grab them, a great career without losing your lifestyle. The workforce is always professional, yet not at the expense of a healthy sense of humour!

Glenn, Engineer, Assets and Operations

I started working here in 1999 – initially as an Engineering Cadet. This was a great opportunity as it gave me the chance to work, earn some money and get some terrific experience while finishing uni. Since that time I have been able to manage a range of engineering projects both in design and construction, including a water pump station that looks like a castle, a rock ramp fishway and a horizontal directional drill. I have recently started work on the Tillegra Dam project – which is a once in a lifetime experience.
As a young engineer it was very interesting to see the construction of horizontal directional drill. I managed that project through design. The drill is an Australian record and had to be designed to avoid existing mine workings. That’s one of the main reasons engineers should consider a career at Hunter Water – we get so many opportunities to directly manage interesting projects from start to finish. And being based in an excellent new building on the fringe of the Newcastle CBD is great too.