Compliance Officer

Careers at Council; Nowra; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexitime

9-day fortnight

Remote and flexible working

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Shoalhaven City Council in Nowra is seeking a Compliance Officer to deliver a broad range of compliance functions including investigation of unlawful development and breaches, and enforcement under planning and environmental acts.

Role involves preparing court briefs, attending hearings as an expert witness, and liaising with state agencies. Salary steps start at Grade 1 and progress through graded steps with performance.

Qualifications

• SafeWork NSW Construction Induction Certificate (White card) or ability to obtain.
• Current Class C Driver's Licence.
• Proof of right to work in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and monitor unlawful activities/breaches relating to unauthorised development and associated matters, including preparation of court briefs, briefs of evidence; court attendance notices and attendance at court mentions and hearings as an expert witness.
• Investigation and enforcement activities for compliance with Swimming Pools Act 1992.
• Enforce Planning and Environmental legislation and Council policy in relation to unlawful activity, in consultation with other council staff and State Agencies.
• Carry out inspections, interviews, collect evidence, prepare statements of evidence and brief Council's legal representatives in prosecutions and appeals; attend court as required.
• Develop and review policies and procedures as directed by management.
• Prepare correspondence, Notices of Intention, Orders, prevention notices and clean-up notices to remedy non-compliances under various Acts.
• Liaise with other sections for advice and provide detailed reports on way forward.
• Diffuse hostility from the public by persuading, influencing and negotiating resolution with diverse stakeholders.
• Issue appropriate notices including infringement notices.

Skills

SafeWork induction (White card)

Driver's licence

Right to work in Australia

Education

Certificate IV in investigation, local government regulation or equivalent

Building surveying or town planning qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in Building Surveying or environmental health

Job description

• 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday) with the option of flexitime
• Located at Nowra Administration Building, Bridge Road, Nowra

About the Role

This role is responsible for delivering a broad range of compliance and enforcement functions to ensure adherence to planning, environmental and public safety legislation within the local government area. The position focuses on investigating and responding to unlawful development, land use breaches, and regulatory non-compliance, with the aim of protecting the built and natural environment and supporting community wellbeing.

The main duties of this role include:

• Investigate and monitor a broad range of unlawful activities/breaches relating to unauthorised development and associated matters, including the preparation of court briefs, brief of evidence; court attendance notices and attendance at court mentions and hearings as an expert witness;
• Investigation and enforcement activities for compliance with relevant swimming pool legislation such as the Swimming Pools Act 1992
• Enforce Planning and Environmental legislation and Council policy in relation to unlawful activity to ensure compliance is achieved in consultation with other council staff and State Agencies;
• Carry out all necessary inspections, interviews, collect evidence, prepare statements of evidence and brief Council's legal representatives in legal prosecutions and appeals and attend court as required.
• Develop and review policies and procedures as directed by management.
• Prepare correspondence, Notices of Intention, Orders, prevention notices and clean-up notices to remedy non-compliances under the various Acts.
• Liaise with other sections to seek advice and critically evaluate situations providing detailed reports on a way forward.
• Diffuse hostility on a daily basis from members of the public by persuading, influencing and negotiating resolution of situations involving diverse stakeholders;
• Issue appropriate notices including infringement notices.

Please refer to the Job Description under the Job Attachments for a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required.

The advertised salary is based on the grade of the position, comprising of 4 steps within the range shown. The starting salary is at Step 1 within the grade. Progression through the salary steps shall be based upon the achievement of performance objectives relating to the position.

This is a grade range position, therefore in accordance with qualifications, accreditation, experience and demonstrated skills, the prospective employee will be assessed as either Grade , 9, 10 or 11.

Grade 11 - $99,775 - $113,318 gross p.a. plus 12% Super

About You

To be successful in the position, you will have:

All grades:

• SafeWork NSW Construction Induction Certificate (White card) or ability to obtain
• Current Class C Driver's Licence
• Proof of right to work in Australia

Grade 9 - Compliance Officer

• Certificate IV in investigation, local government regulation or equivalent experience or currently enrolled in building surveying or town planning qualifications or equivalent combined with relevant experience in the field of investigation and enforcement.

Grade 10 - Compliance Officer

• Certificate IV in investigation, local government regulation or equivalent, or 50% completed building surveying or town planning qualifications or equivalent combined with relevant experience in the field of investigation and enforcement or;
• Relevant experience in the field of investigation and enforcement.
• Relevant experience in inspecting swimming pools in accordance with the Swimming Pools Act 1992

Grade 11 - Senior Compliance Officer

• Tertiary qualifications in Building Surveying or environmental health, town planning qualifications, environmental health, or equivalent combined with relevant experience in the field of investigation and enforcement
• Extensive experience in the field of investigation and enforcement.
• Extensive knowledge of the requirements of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, Local Government Act, Protection of the Environment Operations Act & Swimming Pools Act.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the Building Code of Australia, EP&A Act, 1979 and LG Act 1993 as it applies to building work in all classes for the purpose of completing fire safety inspections and Building Information Certificate inspections.
• Detailed knowledge of the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
• Inspections, interviews, evidence collection, preparation of statements of evidence for legal proceedings and appeals and court attendance.

Applicants who progress to pre-employment checks may be required to undergo a Qualification Check, Work Rights Verification, Reference Checks and Medical (Low Risk). Employment is subject to satisfactory outcomes for all required checks.

Applications Close: Thursday, 10 September 2026 (at midnight)

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Chris Dwyer - Lead - Compliance - 02 4429 3***

Why Work with Us

The Shoalhaven area is a unique place of great natural beauty, offering an enviable lifestyle and positive work-life balance. Our workforce is our greatest asset, and we pride ourselves on our people. Our teams are talented and inclusive and work together to provide better outcomes for our community, who are at the heart of everything we do. With a diverse range of professions and roles, we offer many career options and pathways, actively promoting opportunities and encouraging staff professional development.

Benefits include:

• Generous leave entitlements
• Long Service Leave after 5 years
• Option of flexitime for indoor staff
• 9-day fortnight for outdoor staff
• Flexible and remote working arrangements
• Novated lease arrangements available
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounted health insurance

**Conditions apply as per the Local Government State award, and Council policies

Shoalhaven City Council is committed to creating a workplace that reflects our diverse community. We welcome applicants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with a disability, culturally diverse individuals, and LGBTQIA+ community members. We ensure equitable recruitment practices, and applicants with disability can request reasonable adjustments. As a Child Safe Organisation, we uphold the rights and safety of all children and young people.