Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• 2 X Ongoing full-time opportunities (35 hours per week)
• NSW Office location negotiable with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $113,574.00 to $125,720.00 plus super

What’s in it for me?

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.

The Office of Local Government (OLG) is a small, yet diverse agency of professionals invested in creating healthy and prosperous communities across NSW. Through the development of policy, programs, strong relationships, engagement and intervention, OLG is a driver of reform and uplift across the state, with a purpose of fostering a strong and sustainable local government sector.

There’s never been a better time to join a diverse, welcoming and fulfilling agency that helps build healthy and prosperous communities across NSW.

The role
As a Senior Policy and Programs Officer you’ll support councils to meet their legislative and other responsibilities. You’ll be diving into policy analysis, coordinating projects, and offering expert advice to help shape and deliver programs that support local government reform. Whether it’s preparing reports, managing stakeholder consultations, or improving systems like the NSW Pet Registry, your work will directly contribute to better outcomes for communities and their companion animals.

You’ll need to juggle a range of tasks – often complex and time-sensitive – while staying across the latest developments in local government and animal welfare. It’s a role that calls for sharp research skills, clear communication, and the ability to bring people together to get things done.

For more information read the full Role Description here: Role Description

What you will bring to the role

• Experience in policy development and analysis within a government or regulatory setting, particularly relating to local government or animal welfare.
• Proficiency in coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations and working groups to support policy and program delivery.
• Ability to manage and interpret program data to track progress, identify emerging issues, and inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey ideas and collaborate with team members.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, fostering strong relationships and ensuring alignment with diverse stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Key knowledge and experience

• Experience working within structured frameworks such as government, corporate governance, or regulated environments, with the ability to understand and apply relevant legislation and policy.

Essential requirements

• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent, relevant professional experience.

About us

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities. 

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

As part of DPHI, the Office of Local Government (OLG) is the NSW Government’s frontline interface with councils, their 50,000 employees, and their elected officials across the state. Its goal is to build a strong, responsible and sustainable local government sector, with its purpose to ensure councils all over NSW can continue to effectively deliver infrastructure, services and civic leadership to their communities.

Join us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close Friday, 19 December 2025 at 9:00AM. Should you require further information about the role please contact Kerryn Conroy, Manager, Sector Policy & Frameworks on kerryn.conroy@olg.nsw.gov.au. 

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. 

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 3, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.