Lead Senior Planner

LO-GO Appointments; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave loading 17.5%

Superannuation 12.65%

Flexible work options

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Toowoomba Regional Council invites applications for two Lead Senior Planner positions in the Development Assessment team. One is permanent full-time and the other a 12-month fixed-term parental leave cover.

Role involves technical leadership, mentoring, and delivery of high-quality planning outcomes. Located in Toowoomba with a base salary circa 116,917–123,941 AUD per year, plus superannuation and leave loading.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Urban and Regional Planning (PIA recognised).
• Experience in development assessment within a Queensland planning environment.
• Knowledge of Planning Act 2016 and planning schemes/frameworks.
• Ability to prepare high-quality reports, briefs and infrastructure agreements.
• Ability to mentor and develop less experienced planners.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with stakeholders.
• Sound professional judgement and ability to prioritise work.
• Current unrestricted C Class Driver’s Licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in the assessment of complex development applications.
• Deliver trusted planning advice and mentor the Development Assessment team.
• Support Principal Planners and leadership to ensure quality planning outcomes.
• Manage competing priorities with autonomy and professional judgement.

Skills

Development assessment

Planning expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Report writing

Professional judgement

Driver's Licence

Communication skills

Education

Urban and Regional Planning degree

Job description

Toowoomba Regional Council is seeking to appoint two Lead Senior Planners to join its Development Assessment team – one permanent full-time position and one 12-month fixed-term parental leave cover.

Why Toowoomba?

Toowoomba offers an attractive balance of regional lifestyle and city amenity. Queensland’s largest inland regional city and known as the ‘Garden City’, it provides excellent healthcare and education options, a vibrant CBD, a strong selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs, and a wide range of recreational and cultural activities. Family-friendly and well connected, Toowoomba offers the amenities and opportunities of a regional city without the congestion and long commuting times of larger metropolitan centres.

Located approximately 125km west of Brisbane, Toowoomba provides the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a well-connected regional city while remaining within easy reach of Queensland's capital.

These are key senior positions within Council’s Planning team, providing technical leadership in the assessment of complex development applications, trusted planning advice, mentoring and support to the Development Assessment team. Working with a high level of autonomy, you will work closely with Principal Planners and the Planning Branch leadership team to deliver quality planning outcomes for the Toowoomba Region.

Council is seeking experienced planning professionals who combine strong technical expertise, sound judgement and the ability to support and develop others.

About You:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Urban and Regional Planning, recognised by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).
• Demonstrated experience in development assessment, with strong capability in assessing complex development applications and managing planning law matters, preferably within a Queensland planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply, the Planning Act 2016, planning schemes, local laws and other relevant planning legislation and frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality reports, briefs, infrastructure agreements and other planning documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance, mentor and support less experienced planners and contribute to building team capability.
• Highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, including the ability to work effectively with applicants, consultants, agencies, internal stakeholders and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound professional judgement, provide confident advice and manage competing priorities with a high degree of autonomy.
• Current unrestricted ‘C’ Class Driver’s Licence.

About The Team:

Council’s Planning Team plays a key role in shaping the future of this beautiful region, working across a broad mix of projects and stakeholders while balancing community, economic and environmental outcomes. You will be joining an award-winning team with a strong positive culture, where collaboration, transparency and accountability are valued, knowledge is shared, and experienced planners are encouraged to provide guidance, support capability and contribute to the team’s success.

The Benefits:

• Permanent full-time position OR 12-month fixed-term parental leave cover
• Base salary of $116,916.83 – $123,940.72 per annum
• 17.5% annual leave loading and up to 12.65% superannuation
• Flexible work options, including banked leave
• Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities

Applications close: Monday, 28 September at 8.00am