Position Title

REF 1804: Engineer (Operations)

About Our Organisation

The Water Authority of Fiji is a corporate body established under the Water Authority of Fiji Act 2007 to make provision for the effective management and administration of the Water and the wastewater systems.

We are responsible for providing access to quality drinking water and wastewater services to over 159,000 and 33,540 residential and non-residential metered customers in the urban areas of Fiji and also setting up water supply systems in rural areas.

Position Objective

The Engineer – Operations is responsible for providing engineering leadership, technical expertise, and operational support to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of water supply and wastewater systems. The position leads the planning, coordination, optimisation, and continuous improvement of water distribution, wastewater operations, Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction, hydraulic performance, asset maintenance, infrastructure reliability, and operational improvement programmes to achieve service delivery, water quality, environmental compliance, and operational performance targets. The incumbent is responsible for providing sound engineering advice, undertaking system assessments, managing operational improvement initiatives, and supporting the delivery of operational and capital works while ensuring compliance with engineering standards, statutory requirements, and WAF policies and procedures. The role works collaboratively with the Regional Senior Engineer – Treatment, Team Leaders, Supervisors, Technical Officers, and other internal and external stakeholders to improve system performance, strengthen asset reliability, and deliver the objectives of WAF's Strategic Plan.

This position reports directly to the Manager Regional Operations and provides technical leadership, mentoring, and engineering guidance to operational teams to ensure the effective management of water and wastewater assets and the continuous delivery of safe, reliable, sustainable, and customer-focused water and wastewater services.

Key Accountabilities

Robust engineering services provided
- Realistic annual Water & Wastewater Operations; OPEX and CAPEX budgets developed in consultation with the Regional Senior Engineer Treatment &Team Leader Operations.
  - Water & Wastewater Operations, Supervisors and Technical Officers and Store Officers.
  - Budget expenditure effectively monitored and annual expenditure maintained within annual budget
  - Budget variations effectively addressed in consultation with the Finance SBU
- DMA & Wastewater Catchment function and long-term objectives effectively analysed, studied and understood and improvement works are planned and delivered in a sound and timely manner.
- Engineering support to ensure that long-term objectives are met, effectively and efficiently provided
  - Water & Wastewater projects and teams effectively managed ensuring deliverables, schedules, and budgets are monitored and achieved
  - Annual Work/Business Plan for the Operations SBU in the Region effectively contributed to, monitored and supported through robust engineering advice/work
  - Risk Register for the Water & wastewater unit effectively contribute to, monitored and all risks identified are addressed through robust engineering advice/work and through sound procurement process.
  - Short/long term maintenance management plans are updated and accessible at all times
  - Achievement of Annual Unaccounted for Water & wastewater Targets delivered in line with Annual Business Plan and Strategic Plan.
- Standard Operating Procedures for all Bulk Supply, Distribution Networks and Wastewater operations and projects developed, periodically reviewed and refined together with DMA & Wastewater team.
  - Standard Operating Procedures are developed through cross department consultation, approved and implemented.
- Carry out improvement works in the water operations assets through:
  - Conditional Assessment of the existing assets
  - Implement improvement plans and execute through Request for Quotation (RFQ) or Request for Tender (RFT)
  - Carry out RFQ Development, Evaluation matrix and ensure timely procurement of fittings and materials in the water network repairs and maintenance.
  - Carry out Internal Requisition Orders for approvals and ensure the facilitation of purchase order, small contracts and contracts of all operation maintenance works in the networks.
  - Monitor implementation of small contracts and contracts within the network.
  - Compile and submit timely (monthly reports on all works delivery.
  - Ensure works are delivered as per required engineering standards and specifications with closure.
  - Ensure critical fittings are always readily available in stock for Repair & Maintenance works.
  - Ensure emergency operational stock are always available in stock and managed well within the procurement, inventory and finance SOP’s, Policies and guidelines.
- Develop, drive and deliver operational improvements to increase efficiency in reactive maintenance reducing duration time and money spent on unplanned repairs, review efficiency of repair techniques, tools, equipment and manpower assignment to maximize efficiency.
- Review complaint data to establish a baseline data relating to time needed, resources required, manpower and machine requirements to determine the average time and resources needed for a complaint and associated cost.
- Review complaint scheduling and planning to improve aspects of planning, execution and closure in an effort to reduce the time spent on complaints improve efficiency and planning to minimize time lost on the job.
- Timely and quality engineering planning, design and advice provided to the Team Leaders, Supervisors and Technical Officers
  - ongoing guidance and professional development support provided to the Team Leaders and their direct reports
  - preparation and oversight of construction specifications, plans, and cost estimates for DMA projects effectively delivered
  - engineering surveys, estimates, model’s business cases and related scheduling delivered in partnership with Team Leaders
  - proposal preparation and technical work scope development appropriately assisted/relevant guidance provided
- Work collaboratively with the Leak Detection Team to target NRW activities, establish and monitor baseline DMA performance prior, during and after NRW activities targeted at DMA or DMA Zone level.
- Target maintenance on damaged wastewater assets and sewer channel identified through smoke test.
- Undertake water system verifications, identify the gaps contributing to increased levels of Non-revenue Water (NRW) and put in place robust leakage detection practices and pressure reduction initiatives to achieve a minimum of 5% NRW reduction per year for the Northern Systems and total of 15% NRW reduction in 3 year
- Conduct assessment on wastewater SPS, manholes & sewer line to identify fault areas that contributing to increase in infiltration and implement improvement works to address this through both OPEX and CAPEX related works.
- Review the existing hydraulic constraints on the respective Water Supply Scheme and put in place improvement plans to reduce the existing intermittent supply areas to zero within 3 years’ ti
- In consultation and coordination with the Senior Engineer Treatment, ensure that the distribution systems are regularly monitored to ensure quality drinking water is supplied in line with the NWQL guidelines.
- In consultation and coordination with the Supervisor Wastewater Treatment Plant, ensure that all wastewater operations within the area of operations are fully compliant with environmental requirements, all pump stations are regularly monitored with repairs, and maintenance works effectively carried out in compliance with the set resolution guidelines
- DMA Data effectively captured, analyzed, interpreted and used to enhance the DMA function's operational efficiency whilst also reducing non-revenue water for WAF
  - integrity of data and report-content ensured
- Effective assistance provided to the Team Leaders in:
  - educating internal stakeholders about DMA systems, processes and procedures of the Team
  - effective delivery of the organisation’s service quality commitments to internal stakeholders and external customers
  - Advice provided to stakeholders on systems, processes and procedures of the Team
- Timely and relevant technical advice provided to the Team Leader Water Operations and Supervisors with respect to the following, ensuring successful delivery:
  - DMA special projects, field studies and investigations the team undertakes
  - assignments & activities and preparation of outputs from the team
  - review and/or development and maintenance of relevant standards
  - identification, assessment and management of risks associated with tasks carried out by the DMA teams
  - formulation of technical reports and project progress reports to management for well-informed discussions and decisions
- continuous 24/7 supply of treated drinking water to consumers ensured
- Effective and timely coordination with relevant internal & external parties to ensure the effective delivery of Water Operations and DMA Unit operations in accordance with internal & external parties’ requirements and expectations
- Full compliance of all activities with relevant WAF policies and procedures as well as the relevant requirements of the following ensured:
  - Ministry of Employment
  - Ministry of Health
  - Department of Environment
  - OHS requirements etc
- Tender: actively participated in the tender and evaluation process through effective Chairmanship and / or member of the Evaluation Committee
- Work closely with Regional Senior Engineer Construction and Regional Asset Planners in planning, designing and execution of capital works projects identified to improve the operations and water infrastructure under the Water Operations and DMA area of responsibility.
Timely, relevant and compliant reporting
- Prepare and furnish briefs on operational issues as and when required relating to Intermittent Supply, Hydraulic Restriction and customer complaints in response to referrals received from internal or external stakeholders;
- Provide monthly reporting on the bulk model recording and comparing against historical flow data to identify and report on system anomalies that could contribute to an increase in Non-Revenue Water throughout the system;
- Analyse system behaviour based on NCC and SCADA data to diagnose service delivery issues or propose possible improvement to operations that will improve the provision of services.
- All internal and external reporting requirements in regard to the outcomes of this role fully understood and correctly executed.
  - Robust and relevant periodic reports prepared and submitte This includes weekly progress reports on tasks, monthly reports, quarterly reports, technical reports, project proposals etc
  - Outstanding action items followed up and efficiently addressed with updates provided
  - Decision papers/reports to Executive Management and the Board supported with robust recommendations
- Manager Regional Operations provided with useful information combined with analysis and interpretation, for the purpose of decision making.
- Ad-hoc information/reporting requests by superiors addressed in a timely manner
- Provide system hydraulic updates and network systematic diagram updates to the Team Leader Water Operations, Senior Engineer Network and Manager Regional Operations on a monthly basis.
Knowledge Management
- Develop and update SOP’s relating to day-to-day operations, Valve Operations, Planned Preventative Maintenance Activities, End of Mains Flushing Schedule, etc. Develop / update operational business continuity plans to ensure continuity of services following unplanned disruptions
- Develop, maintain and update network schematics for Central Eastern Division Water Supply Schemes.
- Effective implementation of Individual System Operations Plan.
- Work collaboratively with the Leak Detection Unit to capture and report on system behavior on a monthly basis or at other specified time interval updating and reporting flow through a Bulk Model to track system behavior.
Human capital management
- Effective oversight, coaching, mentoring of Team Leaders, Supervisors and engineering staff delivered
- Direct reports are highly motivated and productive
- Training needs for staff effectively monitored in partnership with the Team Leaders and Supervisors and appropriately addressed in consultation with the HR Department
- Relevant performance measures established for staff, timely performance appraisals carried out and action items resolved (supporting both strengths and weaknesses) in consultation with the HR Department and other relevant parties
- Effective contribution to the HR Recruitment function for relevant WAF positions ensur This shall include but not be limited to being a member of relevant recruitment interview panel
- Disciplinary actions carried out in consultation with the HR Department and in full compliance with all relevant laws, legislations and internal requirements
Teamwork and cooperation
- Cooperation within the team and greater function / department encouraged
- Cooperation across functions / departments ensured
- Collaboration and leadership to achieve relevant organizational targets and goals
- Cooperate and work in collaboration with other Utility Service Provides maintaining mutually beneficial working relationships.
- Other related duties assigned by Manager Regional Operations, and Senior Engineer Treatment effectively and efficiently addressed
Organizational Values promoted and demonstrated at all times
- Support toward the alignment of deliverables to organisational values and strategic directions ensured
- Organisational values and good corporate and governance practices are complied with in delivering outcomes ensured

Qualification and Experience Requirement

The Applicant must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Mechanical or Electrical & Electronics and/or Water & Wastewater Engineering with at least 3 - 5 years’ experience in managing water & wastewater infrastructure related projects, operations and maintenance works

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop high-performing teams.
Sound knowledge of water supply, wastewater, treatment, distribution systems, and asset management principles.
Strong understanding of Non-Revenue Water (NRW), hydraulic principles, District Metered Areas (DMAs), and network optimisation.
Proven ability to analyse complex engineering and operational issues and implement practical, risk-based solutions.
Proficiency in the use of SCADA, GIS, engineering drawings, and other operational information systems to support engineering decision-making.
Experience in planning, managing, and delivering operational, maintenance, and infrastructure improvement projects within approved budgets and timeframes.
Sound knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), environmental legislation, risk management, and safe work practices applicable to water and wastewater operations.
Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and technical report writing skills.
Excellent planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing operational priorities and respond effectively during emergencies.
Possess valid full Fiji Group 2 Driver's Licence and ability to undertake driving duties for logistics support and movement around the region necessary for the role.

How To Apply For Position

Interested candidates are advised to apply online and complete the recruitment requirements on the portal. All applications should be received no later than 31st July, 2026

INCOMPLETE & LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Employment Type

Established

SBU

Operations

Sub-Section

Operations

Salary Scale

$48,000.00-$60,000.00 Per year

Job Location

Vatunibale Depot - Labasa

Vacancy Valid Till

July 31, 2026

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