Community Development Officer – Programs & Activities

Cairns Regional Council; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 87,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Fitness Passport

Up to 5 weeks annual leave

Up to 3 weeks personal leave

Paid parental leave up to 14 weeks

Learning and development opportunities

Salary sacrifice opportunities

Job summary

Cairns Regional Council is seeking a motivated Community Development Officer – Programs & Activities to lead wellbeing initiatives across the Cairns region. You will develop and deliver community wellbeing programs, manage contractors, budget planning, and work within timelines.

You will establish networks with Government, non-Government and community stakeholders, facilitate workshops, measure outcomes, and ensure records in Council systems.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in community development in a similar role.
• Current Drivers Licence with the ability to independently drive between business locations to meet operational needs.
• Current Blue Card (Queensland’s Working with Children Check) or ability or obtain.
• Community development experience and the ability to work within strategic community development frameworks.
• Experience in producing and managing a diverse range of successful community programs, events and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake best-practice community engagement and initiate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across the community.
• Demonstrated planning, project management and organisational skills, including the ability to set priorities, schedule and meet deadlines.
• Sound research and report writing skills and demonstrated ability to develop evidence-based reports and strategic documents.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of resilience, quality of life and community wellbeing and factors that impact them.
• Experience in successful grant writing and administration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver community wellbeing programs, initiatives and events. This may involve management of contractors, budget planning, working within agreed timelines and problem solving at an operational level.
• Establish and maintain effective networks and strategic partnerships with relevant Government, non-Government, community and industry stakeholders.
• Undertake best-practice community engagement across a diverse range of communities, organisations, geographical locations, and groups, including facilitation of workshops, forums and committees.
• Assist to develop processes to measure, monitor and evaluate programs, plans and strategies relating to indicators of wellbeing, quality of life, and resilience.
• Provide consistent excellent customer service and actively work to solve customer problems in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure all corporate information is captured within Council's business systems adhering to recordkeeping policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Council’s Policies and Admin Instructions.
• Other tasks and duties considered reasonable as directed by management. This can involve working to deliver programs and outcomes for across a diverse range of communities and groups

Skills

Community development

Stakeholder engagement

Grant writing

Project management

Report writing

Budget planning

Workshop facilitation

Strategic planning

Research skills

Driver's licence

Education

Blue Card

Tools

None

Job description

Community Development Officer – Programs & Activities

Requisition Number: 1305

Salary Range: $87,255.06 - $100,358.57 per annum

Position Type: Full-Time Maximum Term to 27 August 2027

Location: Council Chambers, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns

Application Close Date: Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 11.30pm AEST

Make a real impact in our community by leading initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, connection and resilience across the Cairns region.

What we’re looking for

• Relevant experience in community development in a similar role.


• Current Drivers Licence with the ability to independently drive between business locations to meet operational needs.


• Current Blue Card (Queensland’s Working with Children Check) or ability or obtain. (No Card No Start).


• Community development experience and the ability to work within strategic community development frameworks.


• Experience in producing and managing a diverse range of successful community programs, events and activities.


• Demonstrated ability to undertake best-practice community engagement and initiate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across the community.


• Demonstrated planning, project management and organisational skills, including the ability to set priorities, schedule and meet deadlines.


• Sound research and report writing skills and demonstrated ability to develop evidence-based reports and strategic documents.


• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of resilience, quality of life and community wellbeing and factors that impact them.


• Experience in successful grant writing and administration.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop and deliver community wellbeing programs, initiatives and events. This may involve management of contractors, budget planning, working within agreed timelines and problem solving at an operational level.


• Establish and maintain effective networks and strategic partnerships with relevant Government, non-Government, community and industry stakeholders.


• Undertake best-practice community engagement across a diverse range of communities, organisations, geographical locations, and groups, including facilitation of workshops, forums and committees.


• Assist to develop processes to measure, monitor and evaluate programs, plans and strategies relating to indicators of wellbeing, quality of life, and resilience.


• Provide consistent excellent customer service and actively work to solve customer problems in a timely and efficient manner.


• Ensure all corporate information is captured within Council's business systems adhering to recordkeeping policies and procedures.


• Ensure compliance with Council’s Policies and Admin Instructions.


• Other tasks and duties considered reasonable as directed by management. This can involve working to deliver programs and outcomes for across a diverse range of communities and groups

Some benefits we offer:

• Achieve work / life balance with flexible working arrangements


• Fitness Passport - subsidised health and well-being memberships (gym/swimming pool)


• Recharge with up to 5 weeks annual leave


• Up to 3 weeks personal leave


• Cherish family time with up to 14 weeks paid parental leave


• Grow personally and professionally with learning and development opportunities


• Salary sacrifice opportunities

We are committed to:

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment


• Embracing innovation and continuous improvement


• Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support

Council’s Recruitment Team can be contacted via:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Website: Employment at Council | Cairns Regional Council