About the role
In this role, you will work as part of a dedicated team of planning staff and play a role in providing efficient and effective decisions and advisory service to the public and other key stakeholders. 

You will assess a variety of statutory planning applications covering Victoria’s largest regional municipality! Planning applications you will assess include complex and major projects in the City of Greater Geelong, and you will have the opportunity to leverage your knowledge and experience to represent the City and provide innovate planning approaches as well as lead and mentor other junior members.

Work type: Permanent full time
Classification: Band 7 Commencing at $103,066 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Investigate and evaluate development applications (including major development and growth area applications) within a team environment to determine compliance with relevant legislation and ensure balanced decisions are made within prescribed time frames.
• Assist with the co-ordination of input from various government departments and the general public to meet deadlines as set.
• Prepare correspondence in relation to Council decisions and enquiries from the public.
• Establish positive communications with clients and the general public and educate and promote the need for adherence to the various statutes, legislation, local laws and policies.
• Promote the City of Greater Geelong’s policy of Excellence in Customer Service.  Identify, implement and review strategies to improve service quality.
• Represent the City of Greater Geelong in public forums, legal proceedings and appeal hearings.

About you
To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary qualification in town planning or urban studies (or related field) and extensive experience in a local government town planning office.

Essential Experience:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge and ability to interpret town-planning legislation and practices.
• Thorough understanding of the operation of local government, the Victorian planning system and the legal process generally within Victoria.
• Highly developed analytical, investigative and communication skills.
• Proven experience in mentoring staff.
• Ability to negotiate and resolve conflict.
• Proven ability to meet timeframes in a pressured environment.
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now! 

Child Safety Responsibilities   
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion  
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.  

We are the City
From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries:  Shane Pritchard | Team Leader Statutory Planning | SPritchard@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience.  We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.