The Victorian Government is one step closer to hiring its very first Chief Engineer, releasing the job application details online earlier this month.
The Chief Engineer will sit within the newly created Office of Projects Victoria (OPV), an independent Administrative Office in the Department of Treasury and Finance.
Announced in September 2016, the OPV was established to oversee the development and delivery of major infrastructure projects in Victoria. The Office will also build the project management skills across government and advise on asset investment decisions and project delivery arrangements.
The Chief Engineer will join OPV Chair; Ken Mathers HonFIEAust CPEng NER, CEO; Antony Damiani, and a team of highly skilled professionals in engineering, quantity surveying and construction.
Engineers Australia’s Victorian President, Chris Stoltz FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER believes a Chief Engineer will bring great value to the State.
“To have an engineering perspective on major infrastructure within the government will be of great benefit for the Victorian economy”, said Mr Stoltz.
"The focus on timeliness, cost and safety will permeate through the projects and lead to better outcomes.
"Engineers Australia has been calling for a Chief Engineer in Victoria for over 10 years", he said.
"We have held the view for some time that Victoria needs a greater engineering input to major projects for the State ... it should be in the DNA of all projects."
The Chief Engineer will oversee high value high risk projects and provide assurance to the government, focussing on technical design and engineering scope.
The role also includes providing advice on the procurement and tender process; technical, design and engineering standards; technical due diligence; asset investment proposals; and how to improve projects that are behind schedule, over budget or not achieving the desired outcomes.
"Australia as a nation would also benefit from a Chief Engineer", said Mr Stoltz.
"Just as the Chief Scientist has played a valuable role for government, the Federal government would also benefit from the technical mindset and industry knowhow that a Chief Engineer would bring."
The Chief Engineer will be highly experienced in all areas of complex public or private infrastructure projects, understand the engineering and design issues of the infrastructure lifecycle, and procuring and managing consultants to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Applications for the position of Chief Engineer close 1 March 2017. To find out more, visit the Victoria State Government website.
The OPV is also looking for a Director, Assurance and Technical and an Assistant Director, Skills and Performance.
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