Parks Management Officer

Careers at Council; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary from $1,729 to $2,?

Work that directly influences how our

A diverse role combining community

The opportunity to build relationships

Make a tangible contribution to the

Job summary

Council seeks a proactive Parks Management Officer to help manage Lake Macquarie's parks, reserves and community spaces. You will engage with community groups, volunteers and operators to deliver projects, improve processes and ensure safe, compliant operations.

This role blends community engagement, policy, compliance, bookings and project coordination. You will analyse issues, build relationships across Council and stakeholders, and drive practical solutions that enhance visitor experiences.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in community development, recreation, leisure studies or related discipline, or advanced standing towards obtaining these qualifications, or extensive relevant experience.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships and work with diverse groups.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate issues, solve problems and make sound decisions.
• Experience reviewing processes, identifying improvements and implementing practical solutions.
• Experience developing reports, policies, procedures or other business documentation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and take ownership of outcomes.
• Current Class C Driver Licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage community and Council-managed Crown land activities, ensuring compliance with legislation, Plans of Management, policies and Council requirements.
• Build positive relationships with community groups, volunteers, commercial operators and other stakeholders to achieve practical outcomes.
• Review and improve business processes, policies and procedures to enhance efficiency, consistency and customer experience.
• Investigate issues, assess risks and identify practical solutions to support effective management of parks, reserves and community spaces.
• Coordinate bookings, community requests and small projects that improve community facilities and open spaces.
• Prepare reports, provide advice and work collaboratively across Council to support the delivery of services, projects and community outcomes.
• Occasional weekend and on call work
• Travel between Council sites
• Attendance at Council meetings

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Policy interpretation

Problem-solving

Project coordination

Independent work

Time management

Education

Tertiary qualification in community development, recreation, leisure studies or related discipline

Job description

Help shape the places our community loves.

• Make a real difference through problem-solving, business improvement and community engagement.
• Help shape the future of our parks, reserves and community spaces.
• Build your skills and career while bringing your initiative and ideas to our team.

LET’S EXPLORE THE JOB

Our Community Partnerships team is looking for a Parks Management Officer to help manage and enhance Lake Macquarie's parks, reserves and community spaces. Working with a range of stakeholders, you'll contribute to projects, business improvements and community outcomes that help create places people love to visit and enjoy.

This is a varied role that brings together community engagement, business improvement, policy and procedure, compliance, bookings, project coordination and stakeholder management. You will work across Council, with community groups, volunteers, commercial operators and other stakeholders to help ensure our parks and community spaces are managed effectively, safely and in line with legislation and Council strategies.

You will be someone who can look beyond the immediate issue, identify opportunities to improve processes and take ownership of finding practical solutions.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage community and Council-managed Crown land activities, ensuring compliance with legislation, Plans of Management, policies and Council requirements.
• Build positive relationships with community groups, volunteers, commercial operators and other stakeholders to achieve practical outcomes.
• Review and improve business processes, policies and procedures to enhance efficiency, consistency and customer experience.
• Investigate issues, assess risks and identify practical solutions to support effective management of parks, reserves and community spaces.
• Coordinate bookings, community requests and small projects that improve community facilities and open spaces.
• Prepare reports, provide advice and work collaboratively across Council to support the delivery of services, projects and community outcomes.

The position may include:

• Occasional weekend and on call work
• Travel between Council sites
• Attendance at Council meetings

LET’S HEAR ABOUT YOU

We're looking for a proactive and solutions-focused professional who enjoys working with people, navigating complex issues and finding practical ways to improve outcomes.

You will bring strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, the ability to interpret legislation and policy, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. You'll be comfortable working independently, managing competing priorities and building positive relationships with community members, volunteers, commercial operators and Council staff.

Most importantly, you'll have a continuous improvement mindset and a genuine interest in helping shape well-managed, welcoming and accessible community spaces.

Criteria you will bring;

• Tertiary qualifications in community development, recreation, leisure studies or a related discipline, or advanced standing towards obtaining these qualifications, or extensive relevant experience.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships and work with diverse groups.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate issues, solve problems and make sound decisions.
• Experience reviewing processes, identifying improvements and implementing practical solutions.
• Experience developing reports, policies, procedures or other business documentation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and take ownership of outcomes.
• Current Class C Driver Licence.

LET’S REVEAL THE PERKS

• Competitive salary from $1,729 to $2,010 per week plus 12% superannuation
• Work that directly influences how our community uses and enjoys local parks and open spaces.
• A diverse role combining community engagement, policy, compliance, business improvement and project work.
• The opportunity to build relationships across Council and with a wide range of community stakeholders.
• Make a tangible contribution to the management, improvement and customer experience of Lake Macquarie's community spaces.

LET’S START

• If you are ready to bring your initiative, problem-solving skills, business improvement mindset and community focus to our team and help shape the future of our parks and community spaces, we would love to hear from you.