Paralegal - Planning

North Sydney Council; North Sydney Council; On-site; AUD 71,000 - 84,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Harbour views locations

Fitness Passport

Flexible hours

Fortnightly RDOs for outdoor staff

Transport allowance

Employee assistance program

Counselling services

Financial planning advice

Weekly fruit

Job summary

North Sydney Council is seeking a highly organized Paralegal-Planning on a part-time basis within the Planning & Environment Division. You will provide high-quality paralegal and administrative support across planning and legal matters, including appeals and court proceedings.

You will assist Legal Counsel with research, document lodging, and preparation for hearings, while liaising with external lawyers, barristers and experts to meet court directions and deadlines.

Qualifications

• Paralegal experience in planning or legal environment.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support Legal Counsel with research, lodging court documents.
• Coordinate briefs, evidence, and materials for court proceedings.
• Liaise with external legal representatives, barristers and experts.
• Assist with hearings, mediations and deadlines.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical skills

Written communication

Time management

Education

Pursuing tertiary legal training

Job description

North Sydney Council administers the North Sydney local government area on Sydney’s picturesque lower North Shore. Our 400 employees look after 71,000 residents spread across 10 square kilometres of land on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour providing spectacular harbour views, beautiful parklands, and a bustling CBD. Our aim is to ensure North Sydney remains a welcoming, well-designed, safe and beautiful environment for residents, workers and visitors.

North Sydney Council administers the North Sydney local government area on Sydney’s picturesque lower North Shore. Our 400 employees look after 71,000 residents spread across 10 square kilometres of land on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour providing spectacular harbour views, beautiful parklands, and a bustling CBD. Our aim is to ensure North Sydney remains a welcoming, well-designed, safe and beautiful environment for residents, workers and visitors.

The role

A newly created part-time opportunity has arisen for a highly organised and professional Paralegal-Planning to work within our Planning & Environment Division.

As a Paralegal within our Planning & Environment team, you’ll provide high-quality paralegal and administrative support across a range of planning and legal matters, including planning appeals, Land and Environment Court proceedings, development and building compliance matters and other legal issues arising within the Division.

You’ll play an important role in supporting Legal Counsel by undertaking legal research, preparing and lodging court documents, drafting correspondence, coordinating briefs and evidence, and assisting with the preparation of matters for hearings, mediations and court proceedings. You’ll also liaise with external legal representatives, barristers and experts, while helping to ensure court directions, statutory requirements and key deadlines are met.

The person

We’re looking for a capable and organised paralegal who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and can confidently manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive matters. You’ll bring relevant paralegal experience, strong research and analytical skills, excellent written and verbal communication, and a high level of attention to detail.

You’ll be comfortable working with confidential and sensitive information, have the ability to problem-solve and think creatively, and take a proactive approach to getting things done. You’ll also enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders and be committed to providing a professional, responsive and high level of service. Experience in litigation of the Land and Environment Court or Local Government sector will be highly regarded.

This position will suit someone who is currently pursuing tertiary legal training.

Why work at North Sydney Council?

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and positive workplace. Our teams are reflective of the communities in which we operate, and we value the unique contribution each member makes to the North Sydney Council. The work we do makes a real difference to the lives of our residents and contributes to their economic and social wellbeing.

North Sydney Council as an employer offers excellent employee benefits such as:

• Easy accessibility to work with spectacular harbour view work locations
• Access to Fitness Passport
• Excellent work-life balance with a 35-hour working week for indoor employees or fortnightly RDO’s for outdoor employees
• Flexible working hours with access to flexi-time for indoor employees
• Freedom to direct contributions to any compliant superannuation fund
• A holistic health and well-being program offering exercise classes, flu vaccinations and skin checks
• Access to employee recognition and reward program
• Weekly fruit baskets
• Free access to counselling sessions through our Employee Assistance Program
• Free financial advice by a certified Financial Planner
• Monetary transport allowance
• Invitations to local government events, training and planning sessions
• Access to corporate social events at picturesque harbour locations
• Close locale to transport options including train, bus, metro and bike ways

Hourly rate: $51.36 to $61.33 per hour + 12% superannuation + $600 pa transport allowance

21 hours - 3 x days per week

Closing Date: 06 October 2026 - 11.30pm

North Sydney Council is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity in order to provide a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. North Sydney Council also adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people. We strongly encourage candidates from wide-ranging backgrounds, identities and experiences to apply.