Be part of shaping the Gold Coast's future

The Gold Coast is inspired by lifestyle and driven by opportunity. We are the second largest Council in Australia.

We care about being the most flexible government organisation in Australia and we have a range of benefits to help you create the right balance:

• Flexible work arrangements to suit your lifestyle, including hybrid/work from home options, flexible working hours and locations
• Personal and professional development courses
• Access to 350+ fitness facilities through Fitness Passport
• 4 free confidential counselling sessions a year for you or an immediate family member
• 1 free nutritionist and financial advice session per year

We pride ourselves on our shared mission of being a high-performing, customer-focused organisation which delivers value-for-money services to the community. We're committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture.

About the team:

Located in the Planning and Regulation Department, the City Development Branch promotes sustainable development throughout the city to benefit residents and the environment. The Branch is responsible for the assessment of development applications. Responsibilities also include the provision of planning and building advice, development assessment and improvement, infrastructure change review, developer contributions, infrastructure compliance and planning appeals and research.

About your new role:

As a Senior Planner you will ensure the development of the city is in accordance with current planning policy and environmental principles. This includes ensuring the public, developers, consultants, City personnel and government agencies are fully advised of and comply with the requirements of the Corporate Plan, City Plan, relevant Acts and City policies. You are also responsible for contributing to a positive workplace culture.

This is a leadership role in the Branch, and you will exercise tasks and decision making under the broad direction to the Planning Supervisor.

Please note – We have multiple Senior Planner positions available ranging from Permanent Full time to Fixed term Full time.

Key deliverables of the role:

• Create a positive workplace culture by encouraging constructive collaboration to achieve positive city outcomes.
• Assess, prepare and present complex planning reports for Material change of use and Reconfiguration of a lot development applications, including the assessment of Preliminary Approvals (involving a Variation Request) and assessment of development pursuant to various Preliminary Approvals and Variation Approvals in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Liaise negotiate and direct relevant internal asset custodians and infrastructure stakeholders on matters in relation to non-trunk infrastructure matters and trunk infrastructure matters as identified in the LGIP.
• Have a strong understanding of site-based constraints and natural hazards, and their impact on development outcomes.
• Thorough and detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant State Government legislation, the City Plan, Local Laws and City policies.
• Responsible for the presentation, advice and direction of complex and technical development applications to Councillors during Committee meetings and/or Council meetings.
• Provide professional support to the Supervising Planners and provide mentoring and knowledge sharing to other planners within the section.
• Provide a high level of customer service and ensure prompt responses to written and verbal requests.
• Provide specialist technical and professional advice to a wide range of council personnel, government agencies, professional consultants, solicitors, community groups and the public to facilitate exemplary planning outcomes.

Your application may also be considered for other planning positions within the City of Gold Coast.

We're looking for people who:

• Hold a Bachelor Degree of Town Planning or equivalent knowledge.
• Have a minimum 3-4 years’ experience in a planning position.
• Are passionate, enthusiastic and motivated to work in a dynamic environment.
• Have developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation, consultation and presentation skills.
• Have the ability to research, analyse and investigate by seeking relevant facts, sourcing appropriate information and identifying workable solutions.
• Are able to work independently and within a team environment and foster good relationships with other team members.
• Have the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise in a planning environment.
• Are able to deliver high quality service to customers (internal and external) and understand/respond to customer expectations appropriately.
• Are proficient in technology and can adapt to new systems and processes.

How to apply:

Click 'Apply' to submit your online application. Upload your Resume with a Cover Letter (of no more than 2 pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes would allow you to achieve success in this role.

Documents needs to be less than 2MB in size and PDF format is preferred. If you encounter technical issues when applying, please email [email protected]

Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.

Please note applications for all of our vacancies close at 10.30pm on the listed closing date.

The City of Gold Coast is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are committed to supporting an environment where all employees, regardless of their differences or similarities, feel valued, respected and supported. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons are encouraged to apply.