Statewide Community Programs Project Officer

Parks Victoria; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Collaborative team

Hybrid working

Project experience

Statewide impact

Job summary

Parks Victoria is seeking an experienced Community Programs Project Officer to coordinate statewide community programs and unify activities across Parks Victoria, working with Traditional Owners, volunteers and community organisations.

This 22‑month fixed‑term role offers hybrid working from La Trobe Street and opportunities to develop practical tools, plans and reports that improve participation and outcomes for communities across Victoria.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating community programs and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to develop project plans, track milestones and maintain documentation
• Strong communication, planning and collaboration skills
• Ability to work with Traditional Owners and community groups

Responsibilities

• Coordinate community program and stakeholder engagement projects in a complex operating environment
• Develop project plans, coordinate actions, monitor milestones and maintain accurate delivery documentation
• Build cooperative relationships with Traditional Owners, community groups, program partners and internal stakeholders
• Translate statewide guidance into practical tools, templates, workflows and processes for regional teams
• Use data, participation insights and stakeholder feedback to support reporting, evaluation and continuous improvement
• Promote programs through clear written communication, digital channels and audience-focused messaging
• Identify delivery risks, process gaps and operational issues, recommending practical solutions and escalating matters appropriately
• Support inclusive participation by helping community members and volunteers feel welcomed, informed, valued and connected
• Coordinate competing priorities and cross-functional activities to achieve agreed project and program outcomes

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Collaboration

Planning

Education

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in community development

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Statewide Community Programs Project Officer

• Lead projects that strengthen and unify community programs across Parks Victoria.
• Build meaningful partnerships volunteers and community organisations.
• Enjoy a 22-month fixed-term opportunity with hybrid working from La Trobe Street.

About Parks Victoria

At Parks Victoria, we're passionate about connecting people with nature and protecting some of Victoria's most treasured landscapes. We manage more than four million hectares of parks and reserves and work closely with Traditional Owners, volunteers, community groups and partner organisations to deliver positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for all Victorians.

We're seeking an experienced Community Programs Project Officer to help develop, coordinate and unify statewide community programs, supporting consistent, inclusive and effective community participation across Parks Victoria.

We offer

• Meaningful work that connects people, parks and nature.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Opportunities to build your project, program and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• The opportunity to influence community programs across a diverse statewide organisation.

The Opportunity

As the Community Programs Project Officer, you will coordinate projects that support the development, implementation and integration of Parks Victoria's statewide community programs. Working across statewide teams, regional staff, Traditional Owners, community partners and other stakeholders, you will develop practical systems, tools and processes that enable effective place-based delivery.

You will manage project plans, actions, milestones and reporting while identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce duplication and improve community participation. You will also use program data and stakeholder feedback to support decision-making, strengthen communications and demonstrate the impact of community programs.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of defined project activities and contribute to a clearer, more coordinated approach to community activation across Parks Victoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate community program and stakeholder engagement projects in a complex operating environment.
• Develop project plans, coordinate actions, monitor milestones and maintain accurate delivery documentation.
• Build cooperative relationships with Traditional Owners, community groups, program partners and internal stakeholders.
• Translate statewide guidance into practical tools, templates, workflows and processes for regional teams.
• Use data, participation insights and stakeholder feedback to support reporting, evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Promote programs through clear written communication, digital channels and audience-focused messaging.
• Identify delivery risks, process gaps and operational issues, recommending practical solutions and escalating matters appropriately.
• Support inclusive participation by helping community members and volunteers feel welcomed, informed, valued and connected.
• Coordinate competing priorities and cross-functional activities to achieve agreed project and program outcomes.

About You

You are an organised and collaborative project professional who is passionate about community participation and creating meaningful connections between people, parks and nature.

You can work independently, manage competing priorities and bring people together around shared objectives. You communicate clearly, build trusted stakeholder relationships and take a practical, solutions-focused approach to improving programs, systems and ways of working.

You'll bring

• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in community development, program design, communications or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating community programs, community activation, partnerships or stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Experience developing project plans, tracking milestones, coordinating actions and maintaining project documentation.
• Strong communication, planning, organisational and collaboration skills.
• The ability to build respectful relationships with Traditional Owners, community groups, volunteers, partners and internal stakeholders.
• Confidence using digital communication platforms, shared content systems, project management tools and basic reporting tools.
• An understanding of contemporary volunteering practices, inclusion, workplace safety, governance and risk management.
• A current Victorian Driver's Licence.

Application Close date: Wednesday 7th of October 2026

If you don't hold every skill or experience detailed above, please don't rule yourself out. We focus on hiring people who value collaboration and integrity. We value a culture where everyone can be themselves at work, regardless of background, orientation, age or gender.

Employment Requirements

Parks Victoria is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children, in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. All prospective employees to undergo a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencing employment.