Cadet Planner

City of Playford; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Playford invites applications for a Cadet Planner to join the Planning Services team on a full-time, fixed-term two-year contract. You will gain hands-on experience in planning and development, provide frontline customer service, and work under experienced planners to support community outcomes.

Applicants should be pursuing or have completed Urban and Regional Planning studies, with a focus on customer service, administration, and planning processes.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest or study in planning; relevant customer service experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to build positive relationships with the public.
• Understanding of planning processes, development assessment and local government operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide frontline customer service on planning and building enquiries and act as the first contact for basic technical questions.
• Undertake initial reviews of Development Applications to determine assessment pathways and required documentation.
• Process non‑complex applications under delegation to agreed standards of quality and time.
• Engage with the community to achieve positive development outcomes; maintain registers and mandates.

Skills

Customer service

Administration

Planning knowledge

Communication

Education

Urban and Regional Planning degree

Tools

ECM

InfoCouncil

Bluebeam

Pathway

Job description

Full Time / Fixed Term (2-Year Contract)

Salary: Starting from $87,451 + Superannuation

Begin your planning career in one of South Australia’s Fastest Growing cities.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven Cadet Planner to join our Planning Services team. If you are studying or have recently completed a qualification in Urban and Regional Planning, this is an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience while providing front‑line service to the Playford community.

Your passion for delivering an outstanding customer experience, coupled with a basic knowledge of Local Government Planning and Development processes will place you well to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the Playford community.

Why this role?

This is an exciting opportunity to kick‑start your planning career in a supportive and collaborative environment. Working alongside experienced planning professionals, you will gain practical experience across a broad range of planning and development activities, build your professional skills and knowledge, and contribute to shaping one of South Australia's fastest‑growing communities.

What you will get to do:

• Provide frontline customer service relating to planning and building advice and guidance, and act as the first point of contact for basic technical and non-technical planning enquiries.
• Undertake initial reviews of incoming Development Applications to determine and verify assessment processes and pathways.
• Determine required fees and documentation at the lodgement stage.
• Undertake assessment of and process non-complex applications under delegation to agreed standards of quality and time.
• Engage with the community to achieve positive development outcomes
• Administrative accountabilities including maintaining mandatory registers, undertaking lodgement of Development Applications, Undertake Section 7 searches and compile mandatory reporting.

What you will bring

You are passionate about planning, enjoy helping people and are eager to learn. You communicate confidently, build positive relationships and approach challenges with initiative and curiosity.

You hold, or are currently working towards, tertiary qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning. Experience in customer service, administration or planning-related environments will be well regarded.

You will also bring:

• Strong customer service, written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Sound computer literacy and a practical and solutions-focused approach to problem solving
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment
• A developing understanding of planning legislation, development assessment processes and local government operations

Desirable knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of planning legislation and development assessment processes.
• Experience analysing information and solving problems.
• Experience using systems such as ECM, InfoCouncil, Bluebeam or Pathway

What’s in it for you

• A structured opportunity to launch your planning career
• Exposure to a diverse range of development and planning matters
• Mentoring and support from experienced planning professionals
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Competitive salary and superannuation
• A collaborative and values-driven workplace committed to professional development
• The opportunity to help shape one of South Australia's fastest-growing communities

Pre-Employment Requirements

The successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Criminal History Clearance as part of the recruitment process.

More Information

Further information on the role accountabilities, and essential and desirable criteria can be found in the attached Position Description.

For a confidential discussion or to obtain additional information, please contact Leif Burdon, Manager – Planning Services on 0439 097 757 or [e-mail].

The City of Playford values diversity and work life balance.If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to support you in submitting your application including alternative vacancy formats and application options, please refer to the Manager's contact details above. Any information provided will be kept confidential and will only be used to support your access to fully participate in the recruitment process.