Waters Model Manager

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

We’re seeking a highly capable and forward‑thinking Waters Modelling Manager to ensure Hamilton City Council’s 3 Waters models are expertly managed, maintained, and applied to guide critical infrastructure investment, policy development, and land‑use planning. You’ll oversee the full modelling programme, including scoping, project management, procurement, contract management, data collection, and quality assurance. This role manages the modelling process rather than undertaking hands‑on modelling—you will lead specialist consultants and use your technical expertise to ensure modelling approaches and outputs are robust, accurate, and fit for purpose.

In this influential role, you’ll provide trusted technical and professional advice across Council, ensuring modelling insights support well‑informed strategic decisions. You’ll work closely with consultants, developers, and internal subject matter experts to define modelling needs, agree work scopes, and review outputs. Your ability to interpret and challenge modelling work will be essential to maintaining quality and consistency across all 3 Waters modelling. Your work will directly shape the planning and optimisation of 3 Waters infrastructure, ensuring Hamilton meets growing demands with integrated, value‑for‑money programmes that support the city’s strategic direction.

Some of the key responsibilities for this role include:

• Developing and maintaining our 3 waters model strategy to ensure that our models remain fit for purpose, to inform budget and resource requests and to inform model management programmes.
• Managing the maintenance, improvements and use of Stormwater, Wastewater and Water models for the existing city networks.
• Coordinating modelling support for the Stormwater, Wastewater and Water master plans.
• Coordinating and managing waters modelling provisions in HCC structure plans, plan changes and major developments alongside HCC Strategic Infrastructure Engineers, Planners and Development Engineers.
• Manage the 3 waters modelling contracts for the city.
• Collaborating with Infrastructure Engineers and internal staff to ensure models reflect current waters network and growth planning provisions for 3 waters.
• Manage the inputs/direction into briefing and procurement process for 3 waters modelling projects.
• Manage GIS outputs to ensure they are current and reflective of latest 3 waters information and meet user needs.

Please be advised that this role will initially be positioned within Hamilton City Council. As of 1 July 2026, your role will transfer to be positioned within IAWAI – Flowing Waters, a Council Controlled Organisation. You will be kept informed with regular communications before and during the transition. 

Qualifications

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in relevant Engineering or Earth Sciences.
• Minimum 10 years technical experience in the 3 Waters Infrastructure industry.
• Ability to effectively manage time, competing pressures and meet multiple deadlines.
• Familiarity with software used for viewing and analysing hydraulic model results developed in the Infoworks ICM platform.
• Ability to make effective decisions under pressure and think and manage clearly during times of rapid change.
• High level of expertise in coordinating and integrating technical information into business and corporate systems to develop and support HCC strategies and plans.

Technical Knowledge

• Sound understanding of the principles of 3 waters network hydraulic modelling.
• Understanding of strategic three waters infrastructure planning, policy preparation and public consultation.
• Understanding of relevant infrastructure standards for urban 3 waters networks.
• Skilled and experienced in model data management.
• Highly developed analytical skills to identify and solve modelling issues.
• Familiarity with GIS and asset management systems.
• Ability to interpret and recommend responses to legislation and policy guidance.

Project Management

• Project and programme management experience.
• Ability to plan, co-ordinate, develop and manage project budgets, scheduling, resources and risks to ensure efficient, timely and fit for purpose project delivery.

Communication & Relationships

• Good communication skills, including writing clear and concise reports, and making effective oral and visual presentations.
• Demonstrated abilities in stakeholder management including working effectively with internal and external experts, community groups and customers.
• Influencing skills, able to encourage others behaviour and outcomes to support organisations goals.

Additional Information

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $132,000 dependent on skills and experience.

Ngaa waahi whakarato painga kei a maatou: What we offer 

• Flexible by choice; an award-winning flexible working policy.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Two Wellbeing days per year.
• Free health insurance through Unimed including hospital/surgery grade cover and discounted membership rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccination.
• Ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Eye testing/glasses cost reimbursement.
• Discounted purchases from local businesses; gym memberships, cafes, dentists, hairdressers and many more.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply.
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 09/03/2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.