Water Sensitive Urban Design Officer Career Profile

What the role involves

Water Sensitive Urban Design Officers may help assess development proposals, coordinate stormwater projects, support asset maintenance, review design documentation, monitor water quality or engage with developers, councils and communities.

The work often overlaps with stormwater engineering, landscape architecture, urban planning, environmental science and catchment management.

Typical employers

Roles in Australia may be found with:

• local councils
• water utilities
• engineering consultancies
• environmental and planning consultancies
• landscape architecture firms
• state government water or planning agencies
• developers and infrastructure organisations
• catchment and urban renewal programs

Key tasks

• supporting WSUD, stormwater and water quality projects
• reviewing plans, designs, guidelines or development applications
• coordinating rain gardens, wetlands, swales, permeable paving or stormwater treatment assets
• helping monitor water quality and asset performance
• liaising with engineers, planners, developers and maintenance teams
• preparing reports, maps, advice and community information
• supporting flood, drainage and catchment management programs
• assisting with policy, strategy or guideline development
• tracking project actions, maintenance issues and environmental outcomes

Skills and qualities

This role suits people with a mix of practical, technical and communication skills. Useful qualities include:

• understanding of stormwater, urban water and catchment issues
• interest in sustainable cities and waterway health
• ability to read plans, maps and technical reports
• communication skills with engineers, planners and community members
• project coordination and attention to detail
• basic GIS, data or asset management skills
• problem-solving around site constraints and maintenance
• knowledge of planning and environmental approval processes

Qualifications and pathways

This role can be entered from water, planning, engineering, landscape or environmental pathways. Useful options may include:

• Diploma or degree in environmental management, civil engineering, urban planning, landscape architecture, water management or environmental science
• training in stormwater management, water sensitive urban design, catchment management, GIS or planning
• experience in councils, consulting, water, planning, engineering support, landscape projects or asset management
• short courses in WSUD maintenance, urban water or water quality monitoring may be useful

With experience, WSUD Officers may progress into Stormwater Engineer, Water Sensitive Cities Advisor, Catchment Management Officer, Environmental Planner, Water Quality Officer or Urban Water Manager roles.

Salary and job outlook

Salaries vary depending on whether the role sits in council, consulting, engineering, planning or utilities, and how technical or senior the role is. Check current job ads and public-sector salary bands.

Where jobs are usually found in Australia

WSUD roles are common in metropolitan councils, growth areas, urban renewal projects, water utilities and consultancies. Opportunities may be strongest where councils manage stormwater, waterways, flood risk and urban greening programs.

Tips for getting started

• learn common WSUD assets such as rain gardens, wetlands, swales and gross pollutant traps
• build confidence reading plans, maps and drainage or landscape drawings
• gain experience with councils, water utilities, planning or environmental consulting
• learn the basics of stormwater quality, catchments and asset maintenance
• develop GIS, reporting and stakeholder communication skills
• show interest in practical maintenance as well as design

Related environmental careers

• Water Quality Officer
• Water Quality Technician
• Environmental Planner
• Urban Planner
• Landscape Architect
• Hydrologist
• Climate Change Adaptation Officer
• Bushfire Resilience Officer / Natural Hazards Officer