Irrigation Channel Operator-Maintainer

About the role

Reporting to the Operations & Maintenance Supervisor, you will work as part of FIN's field operations team responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of irrigation water across FIN's network. This is a varied field-based role combining irrigation water delivery, infrastructure operation, maintenance and the use of modern monitoring and control systems. The role involves a combination of water operations, monitoring, customer interaction, routine maintenance, fault response and infrastructure inspections.

Key responsibilities

• Operating and monitoring irrigation channels, regulators, gates and associated control structures.

• Delivering water safely and efficiently in accordance with customer water orders and operational requirements.

• Monitoring channel levels, flow rates, volumes and system performance.

• Using SCADA, telemetry and other monitoring systems to support day-to-day network operation.

• Interpreting operational data and investigating unusual or unexpected system behaviour.

• Undertaking water-delivery calculations involving flow, volume, time and system capacity.

• Adjusting water-control structures to maintain appropriate flows and levels throughout the network.

• Carrying out routine inspections of channels, pipelines, structures and associated infrastructure.

• Identifying defects, asset deterioration and emerging maintenance requirements.

• Undertaking general maintenance and minor repairs.

About you

• Strong practical problem-solving skills.

• An ability to think critically and work through operational issues logically.

• Sound mathematics and numeracy skills.

• Confidence working with flow rates, volumes, measurements, levels and basic operational calculations.

• Experience using SCADA, telemetry or similar monitoring and control systems.

• Competence using Microsoft Excel for recording, reviewing and interpreting data.

• The ability to recognise trends, inconsistencies and abnormal readings and investigate likely causes.

• Practical mechanical aptitude and an ability to undertake minor maintenance and repairs.

• Good communication and customer-service skills.

• A current driver's licence.

About us

Fairbairn Irrigation Network Limited is a locally managed irrigation infrastructure business based in Emerald, Central Queensland. FIN operates and maintains irrigation infrastructure supporting agricultural production throughout the Emerald irrigation area and provides an essential water-delivery service to its customers.

Benefits

• Stable, locally based employment in Emerald.

• Training and development opportunities.

• A supportive and experienced Operations & Maintenance team.

• A varied role combining water operations, technology and infrastructure maintenance.

• Exposure to SCADA, telemetry and automated water-management systems.

• The opportunity to develop skills across irrigation operations, maintenance, plant and water infrastructure.

• The opportunity to contribute directly to the reliability and long-term performance of an important regional irrigation network.