Program Costing Officer (10748)

Central Highlands Region; Emerald; On-site; AUD 102,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous superannuation

5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave

Fortnightly RDOs

Annual uniform allocation

Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice

Wages paid fortnightly

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Central Highlands Regional Council is seeking a Program Costing Officer in Emerald to support capital projects through costing, financial management, procurement, and project administration. You will monitor expenditure, prepare end-of-month reporting, and provide timely information to keep projects on budget.

You will work with multiple teams to ensure governance, accuracy, and smooth financial close-outs, contributing to community infrastructure delivery and long-term financial sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum Queensland C class provisional driver's licence.
• Experience in reporting on expenditure.
• Relevant experience in project cost management.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Undertake financial transactions in relation to daily costing, revenue claims in projects and work orders using various department packages for financial transaction reconciliation.
• Monitor the financial position of projects and work orders and provide early warnings to management of any deviations beyond predetermined limits.
• Undertake End of Month and on request financial reporting to enable accurate project tracking and financial position indication.
• Provide support and expertise on costing and financial administration matters to project/team members.
• Provide support with grants reporting and claims.
• Ensure good governance is maintained in financial and administration responsibilities.
• Model ethical behaviour and comply with Local Government framework and Code of Conduct.
• Participate in ongoing training and self-development.
• Take reasonable care for health and safety and comply with CHRC policies.

Skills

Excel

Microsoft Office

Expenditure reporting

Project cost management

Budget monitoring

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work Type: Permanent Full Time Location: Emerald Department: Infrastructure & Utilities Remuneration : Stream A, Level 3-4: $101,510.07 - $116,379.95 per annum inclusive of superannuation & locality allowance

Are you someone who enjoys working with numbers, managing budgets, and helping projects run smoothly? Central Highlands Regional Council is looking for a skilled and motivated Program Costing Officer to join the team! In this role, you’ll play an important part in supporting Council’s capital projects, providing advice and hands-on support across project costing, financial management, procurement, and project administration.

You’ll work closely with teams across Council to monitor and report on project expenditure, support capital budget changes, and assist with the financial close-out of projects. Your work will help ensure projects stay on track financially and that decisions are informed by accurate, timely information.

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your financial and organisational skills to make a real difference, supporting the delivery of essential community infrastructure and services while contributing to Council’s long-term financial sustainability.

If you’re detail-oriented, proactive, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you!

In this busy role, you will support the organisation by:

• Undertake financial transactions in relation to daily costing, revenue claims in projects and work orders using various department packages for financial transaction reconciliation.
• Monitor the financial position of projects and work orders and provide early warnings to management of any deviations beyond predetermined limits.
• Undertake “End of Month” and “on request” financial reporting to enable accurate project or work order tracking and to indicate the overall financial position of various projects.
• Provide support, advice and expertise on costing and financial administration matters to project/team members.
• Provide support, advise and assist with the management of grants reporting and claims.
• Ensure good governance is maintained in all financial and administration responsibilities.
• Act in accordance with the Local Government legislative framework and Code of Conduct. Model ethical behaviour and consistently apply those ethical standards to self and others.
• To actively participate in ongoing training and self-development to achieve continuous improvement for yourself and council.
• Taking reasonable care for health and safety of yourself and others, complying with reasonable instruction and co-operating with CHRC policy and procedure per ‘Duties of Worker’ contained in the Work Health and Safety Act as amended.

Additionally, this position may be required to conduct other duties as lawfully directed by the reporting manager.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to possess:

• Minimum of Queensland C class provisional drivers licence.
• Experience in reporting on expenditure.
• Relevant experience in project cost management.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite particularly Excel.
• Well-developed computing, literacy and numeracy skills, demonstrating attention to detail and a commitment to service standards.
• Strong knowledge in record-keeping and highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Developed skills in managing multiple conflicting priorities, meeting deadlines, and exercising discretion and sound professional judgement to ensure high quality service results.
• Excellent customer service approach with the ability to form strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Working for Central Highlands Regional Council has its benefits.

We are a progressive region, committed in creating opportunities for all. We welcome forward thinking individuals who are focused on continuous improvement, a sustainable future and understand the valuable role we play in investing in our regional community.

Benefits Include:

• A generous superannuation scheme
• 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Fortnightly RDO’s
• Annual uniform allocation
• Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options
• Wages paid fortnightly
• Employee Assistance Program

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

Applicants who are progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process will be invited to participate in a shortlisting process.

Eligibility & Pre-employment Checks

To be appointed to a permanent position, you must be an Australian citizen, or have permanent residency status, or hold a visa permitting you to work in Australia permanently.

If you have a visa permitting you to work temporarily in Australia, you may be appointed to a position on a temporary basis, providing the work complies with the conditions of your visa.

The pre-employment checks relevant to this position include:

• Right to Work in Australia
• Criminal History Check
• Medical Assessment
• Reference and qualification checks

Applications close: Monday 26th October 2026 at 12noon.