Technical Officer

Cairns Regional Council; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Fitness Passport

Annual leave

Personal leave

Parental leave

Learning & development

Salary sacrifice

Job summary

Cairns Regional Council is seeking a Technical Officer to support the Development Assessment team. Based at Council Chambers in Cairns, you will provide technical planning advice, assess development applications, and prepare statutory planning documents, collaborating with internal departments, agencies, developers and community members.

The role offers a full-time maximum-term until 24 December 2027, with a salary range of $79,898.21 to $94,452.29 per year pro rata, and a mix of flexible

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role or administrative, support or office-role in planning/building/local government environments is valued.
• Interest in the development sector and eagerness to learn planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical planning advice and support the Development Assessment team.
• Assess development applications and prepare statutory planning documentation.
• Collaborate with internal departments, government agencies, developers and the community to deliver high-quality planning outcomes.

Job description

Technical Officer

Requisition Number: 1396

Salary Range: $79,898.21 - $94,452.29 pro rata per annum

Position Type: Full-Time Maximum Term until 24 December 2027

Location: Council Chambers, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns

Application Close Date: Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 11.30pm AEST

Are you passionate about planning and development?

Do you thrive on solving complex challenges and providing high-quality technical advice?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Officer to join our Development Assessment team!

What You Will Do:

As a Technical Officer, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Development Assessment team through providing technical planning advice, assessing development applications, and preparing statutory planning documentation. You will collaborate closely with internal departments, government agencies, developers, and community members to deliver high-quality planning outcomes. From preparing Planning & Development Certificates to contributing to strategic initiatives, your work will help ensure that development across the region is responsible, compliant, and future-focused.

What We Are Looking For:

• Some experience in a similar role or an administrative, support or office-role – ideally within the building, construction, planning or local government environment (we value your skills, not necessarily formal qualifications).
• An interest in the development sector – you don’t have to be an expert, but you should be eager to learn about planning related processes.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills, and ability to maintain effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a team, supporting across different functions, and able to organise tasks, meet deadlines and manage documentation.
• Motivated to develop, learn new technical knowledge (planning schemes, legislation, processes) – we’ll provide on the job training and mentoring so you can build the sector-specific skills you don’t yet have.

This is your chance to play a meaningful role in shaping how the Cairns region grows while maintaining the natural beauty and unique character of the Far North.

Some benefits we offer:

• Achieve work / life balance with flexible working arrangements
• Fitness Passport - subsidised health and well-being memberships (gym/swimming pool)
• Recharge with up to 5 weeks annual leave
• Up to 3 weeks personal leave
• Cherish family time with up to 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Grow personally and professionally with learning and development opportunities
• Salary sacrifice opportunities

We are committed to:

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Embracing innovation and continuous improvement
• Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support

Council’s Recruitment Team can be contacted via:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Website: Employment at Council | Cairns Regional Council