Inspired by lifestyle. Driven by opportunity.

Position Title: Planning Research Officer

Employment Status: Fixed Term for 12 months with the possibility of permanency

Department: Planning and Regulation

Location: Waterside West, Bundall

Award Classification: Stream A, Level 4 to Level 5

Salary: $83,280 - $94,572 plus super

Hours: 36 hours per week, 9-day fortnight

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:

9-day fortnight

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 both residents and the natural environment. The Branch is responsible for the assessment of development applications, providing planning and building advice, preparing Planning and Development Certificates, managing planning appeals and conducting infrastructure charge reviews.

About your new role:

We are seeking a dynamic individual to join the Planning Appeals and Research team as a Planning Research Officer. In this role, you will be responsible for the research, analysis and reporting associated with the issuing of Planning and Development Certificates and advising on key planning and property information required for the due diligence and conveyancing process (property acquisition). This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about planning, development and research.

We're looking for people who have:

You hold a Diploma in Local Government Planning and/or demonstrated experience in development assessment or a research focused role.

You hold an unrestricted Drivers Licence Class “C”.

You have strong research and investigation skills to prepare and issue all tiers of Planning and Development Certificates.

You can interpret the provisions of the Planning Act 2016 and various repealed Acts, with proven analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

You have the demonstrated ability to adapt and learn new procedures and systems in a changing legislative environment.

You have developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including negotiation, consultation, conflict management and presentation skills.

You can research, analyse and investigate by seeking relevant facts, sourcing appropriate information and identifying workable solutions.

You can work independently and within a team environment and foster good relationships with other team members.

You are passionate, enthusiastic and motivated to work in a dynamic environment.

You can manage multiple tasks and prioritise in a planning environment.

You can deliver a high-quality service to customers (internal and external) and understand/respond to customer expectations appropriately.

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.

Closing Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025

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.