Natural Areas Project Planner

Port Stephens Council; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangement

Health & wellbeing leave

Paid parental leave (14 weeks)

Defence Service Leave for Reservists

PSCare Day

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Port Stephens Council is seeking a Natural Areas Project Planner to lead the delivery of a 3-year Special Rate Variation program focused on natural areas. You will plan, manage and communicate on-ground environmental works—ranging from bush regeneration to habitat restoration—while coordinating contractors within a 35-hour work week and a supportive team environment.

You will oversee budgeting, procurement and tendering, with strong GIS and MS Office skills, plus driver licence and White Card.

Qualifications

• A degree qualification in Conservation Land Management, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Conservation Biology, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Experienced in the use of bushland maintenance techniques & equipment
• Enjoy being empowered to contribute to co-develop, and implement natural area works programs
• A motivated, team player who is responsible for achieving high-quality outcomes, through self-management and working as part of a large team
• Proven experience planning and delivering natural resource management, bush regeneration, or habitat restoration projects
• Strong skills in project management including managing contractors, budgets, procurement, and tendering, alongside monitoring, reporting and communicating performance
• Solid computer literacy, including hands-on experience with GIS mapping systems and Microsoft Office
• A current Driver Licence and a WorkCover General Induction (White Card)

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of the SRV 'Nurturing Nature' natural area works program
• Plan, manage and communicate on-ground environmental works from bush regeneration to habitat restoration
• Coordinate contractors, manage budgets, procurement and tendering
• Monitor, report and communicate performance to Environmental Operations Team Leader

Skills

Project management

Contractor coordination

Budgeting

Tendering

Communication

Education

Conservation/Natural Resource Management degree

Tools

GIS mapping

Microsoft Office

Job description

A great lifestyle in a treasured environment, this is life at PSC!

The opportunity

Make a lasting impact on our local environment by leading our exciting and high-profile natural area conservation projects. Council manages over 1000 Ha of unique and sensitive natural areas in Port Stephens. As our Natural Areas Project Planner, you will be accountable for the delivery of our ambitious 3-year Special Rate Variation (SRV) ‘Nurturing Nature’ natural area works program. Reporting directly to the Environmental Operations Team Leader, you’ll take the reins on planning, project managing, and communicating the delivery of vital on-ground environmental works, from large-scale bush regeneration and habitat restoration projects through to threatened species habitat enhancement works, site action planning and contractor management.

If you are a collaborative project manager who loves natural resource management, excels at contractor coordination, and wants to turn strategic plans into thriving animal corridors and protected ecosystems, we’d love to have you on board.

• This is a temporary opportunity ending July 2029—working full-time 35 hours / week + access to a flexible working arrangement
• Base Salary Range: $85,497 - $100,587 pa based on 35 hours / week + 12% superannuation + $20,138 Motor Vehicle Allowance + $2,562 Retention Allowance
  • Total Remuneration Package (including Super and Allowances): $121,182 - $138,083 pa
• You will be working from PSC Administration Building, Raymond Terrace
• The key responsibilities within this role are listed within the position description.

We’re all about putting the right people, in the right role! Here’s what we’re looking for:

• A degree qualification in Conservation Land Management, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Conservation Biology, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Experienced in the use of bushland maintenance techniques & equipment
• Enjoy being empowered to contribute to co-develop, and implement natural area works programs
• A motivated, team player who is responsible for achieving high-quality outcomes, through self-management and working as part of a large team
• Proven experience planning and delivering natural resource management, bush regeneration, or habitat restoration projects
• Strong skills in project management including managing contractors, budgets, procurement, and tendering, alongside monitoring, reporting and communicating performance
• Solid computer literacy, including hands‑on experience with GIS mapping systems and Microsoft Office
• A current Driver Licence and a WorkCover General Induction (White Card)

This is life at PSC!

• Work/Life balance with generous leave entitlements, flexible work options and leave in lieu
• Long service leave when you’ve been with us for just over 5 years
• Health & Wellbeing leave to recharge when you need it
• Industry leading Paid Parental Leave accessible for all employees – regardless of how you became a parent, we offer 14 weeks that can be taken within 2 years from the birth, adoption, or long‑term foster care of your child.
• Access to Defence Service Leave for Reservists continuing their defence service
• PSCare Day available to all employees to take in addition to your regular leave entitlements
• Confidential support (including mental health) through our employee assistance program
• Award winning health and wellbeing program PSCare, Workers Health Initiative with access to a broad range of gyms in the area, and discounted health insurance
• Free parking on site and a convenient local shopping centre
• Coffee and food to keep you sustained at our on-site café
• And lots more…

Enough about us, we want to hear about you! So tell us about…

• Why you want this role and how it aligns with your career goals?
• Describe an environmental or natural area project you successfully led, including the key factors that contributed to its success.

Ready to Apply? Here’s what you need to know

Applications Close: Midnight, Sunday, 15 November 2026

Contact: Kimberly Baker, Natural Systems Coordinator on 0492 174 261

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We acknowledge the Worimi Peoples as the original Custodians and inhabitants of Port Stephens. May we walk the road to tomorrow with mutual respect and admiration as we care for the beautiful land and waterways together