Strategic Project Officer - Land Use Planning

Wollongong City Council; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Five weeks annual leave

Health, safety and wellbeing programs

Social club

Career growth

Job summary

Wollongong City Council is seeking a Strategic Project Officer - Land Use Planning to contribute to shaping the city’s future. You will work across planning initiatives, prepare LEPs and policies, and engage with community groups and stakeholders to deliver housing and environmental outcomes.

The role involves managing multiple projects through their lifecycle and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Town Planning or related discipline.
• Experience delivering strategic planning projects, planning policies and planning instruments.
• Ability to navigate competing interests and manage projects through full lifecycle.
• Strong written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review strategic planning documents including LEPs, DCPs, planning strategies and reports.
• Deliver projects supporting housing, land use and environmental planning outcomes across the LGA.
• Undertake research and analysis of social, economic and environmental issues to inform planning recommendations.
• Manage strategic planning projects through investigation, consultation, exhibition and implementation.
• Prepare reports, submissions, briefings and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate community consultation activities and engage with community groups, government agencies, industry representatives and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams across Council.
• Provide specialist strategic planning advice and contribute to evidence-based decision making.
• Monitor project milestones, manage priorities and deliver outcomes within timeframes.
• Contribute to innovative and sustainable planning solutions for future growth.

Skills

Urban planning

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Written communication

Public consultation

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication clarity

Education

Town Planning degree

Job description

Strategic Project Officer - Land Use Planning

Strategic Project Officer - Land Use Planning

At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.

Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play! Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.

We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

The Opportunity

Join a team helping shape the future of Wollongong.

As a Strategic Project Officer, you'll be part of a collaborative team working across a range of strategic planning projects that guide the growth, development and conservation of our city. You'll contribute to planning initiatives that support housing outcomes, prepare strategies and policies that influence future development, and work alongside community groups, government agencies and multidisciplinary stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes for the community.

This is an opportunity to work on complex and rewarding projects that have a lasting impact on how our city grows and evolves. You'll enjoy variety in your work, with projects moving through different stages of planning, consultation, exhibition and implementation, while building strong professional networks across government, industry and the community.

This is a full-time, term contract position to 30 June 2029, working 35 hours per week. Salary ranges from $100,110 up to $138,237 per annum plus superannuation (salary package assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications).

How you'll make a difference

• Prepare and review strategic planning documents including Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans, planning strategies, policies and technical reports.
• Deliver projects that support housing, land use and environmental planning outcomes across the Wollongong Local Government Area.
• Undertake research and analysis of social, economic and environmental issues to inform planning recommendations.
• Manage strategic planning projects through various stages including investigation, consultation, exhibition and implementation.
• Prepare reports, submissions, briefings and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate community consultation activities and engage with community groups, government agencies, industry representatives and other stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams across Council.
• Provide specialist strategic planning advice and contribute to evidence-based decision making.
• Monitor project milestones, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable planning solutions that support the future growth of the city.

About you

You are an experienced planning professional who enjoys solving complex problems, balancing multiple priorities and working with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.

You bring a tertiary qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline together with demonstrated experience delivering strategic planning projects, planning policies and planning instruments. You are comfortable navigating competing interests, communicating complex information clearly and managing projects through their full lifecycle.

You will also bring:

• Experience in urban, strategic or environmental planning.
• Experience preparing Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Development Control Plans (DCPs), planning policies, strategies and supporting documentation.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Well-developed written communication skills, including the preparation of complex reports and recommendations.
• Confidence engaging with community groups, government agencies, consultants and internal stakeholders.
• Experience conducting community consultation, public engagement activities or stakeholder workshops.
• The ability to apply communication principles to practical planning solutions.
• Sound knowledge of contemporary urban and environmental planning practices and emerging planning issues.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to contribute effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• A current Class C Driver Licence or equivalent.
• A commitment to Wollongong City Council's values of Respect, Integrity, One Team, Sustainability and Courage.

Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council!

• True work-life balance
  We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
• Great working conditions
  Enjoy a 35-hour work week or a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
• Career growth and recognition

We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.

• Generous leave provisions
  Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
• Health, safety, and wellbeing
  We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks and discounted gym memberships.
• A vibrant social culture
  Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events!

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.

Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.

Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.