Join one of WA’s most innovative and forward-thinking agencies and be part of something rewarding and exciting.

If you’re an experienced economic forecaster with deep technical skills and an interest in urban development, you could join us as a Principal Economic Forecaster!

As our Principal Economic Forecaster, you will be responsible for the provision of considerable expertise and leadership across the economic and demographic forecasting team. The Principal Economic Forecaster undertakes and manages ongoing complex urban economic modelling and forecasting activities, relating to land use, housing, employment location, population, education, transport and other economic factors. You will have access to diverse internal databases and existing models, with the opportunity to apply your expertise to undertake innovative analysis and forecasting. Your work will directly inform decision making by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and across the Western Australian government.

The position is available for appointment on a full-time, permanent basis, though alternative flexible arrangements may be considered where appropriate.This recruitment process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment.

Our Perth office is located in the Perth CBD in a convenient location, directly above the Perth Underground Railway Station; close to the Perth Busport and CAT central bus services.

To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in complex urban economic forecasting and modelling, or extensive experience in a related field with demonstrable capacity to apply to urban economics.
• Experience in planning, undertaking and managing fit for purpose research and analysis using significant statistical software (eg. R, Python, SAS or SPSS).
• Experience in interpreting and applying results of quantitative analysis, in order to make recommendations to executive decision makers.
• Well-developed skills in preparing and/or presenting publications, reports and briefing notes.
• Well-developed interpersonal and verbal communications skills, in order to build effective relationships and consult successfully with stakeholders.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant technical field such as: economics, statistics, mathematics, demography or applied geography.

The position also requires:

• A pre-employment Conflict of Interest will be completed and assessed prior to appointment.
• All positions within the Department require the occupant to have a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) conducted with a satisfactory outcome.

Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others. The Leading Others context for this position is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high quality work that contributes to the agency.

The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.

About us

For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.

We have a comprehensive Applicant Information Pack to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you.

Benefits of Working at DPLH

DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance.
• 11.5% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options
• Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
• Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting
• Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.

How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:

• Comprehensive CV that clearly shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees.
• Cover Letter of up to 2 pages detailing how you meet the essential requirements of this position as detailed above and in the attached Job Description Form

Further Information:

If you would like to know more, please contact Andrew Wilkinson, Forecasting Manager, on (08) 6551 9693 or [email protected] to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Andrew or seek their assistance with lodging your application.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Harley Coyne or Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Harley at 0427 272 913, Barb at 0408 895 002, or email us at [email protected].

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.

Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our HR Services team on (08) 6551 9419 or email [email protected].

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:

• TTY/voice calls – 133 677
• Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727
• SMS relay – 0423 677 767.

Special Requirements for this position:

The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process.

To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.

Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.

If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact [email protected], or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.

Closing Date – 16 May 2025 @ 4:00pm