About the City of Ballarat

The City of Ballarat, 100km west of Melbourne’s CBD, is one of Australia’s largest inland regional cities. Ballarat is uniquely located with easy access to Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo.

The City of Ballarat has a growing economy that attracts and retains innovative businesses, employs a highly skilled workforce and attracts new residents whilst promoting the city’s unique heritage and vibrant cultural life. It has all the services, retail and entertainment opportunities you'd find in a capital city but with a relaxed country attitude. With affordable housing at a fraction of Melbourne prices and a progressive leadership team, now is a great time to join the City of Ballarat.

The Role

Reporting to the Manager, Statutory Planning, this role forms a key part of the Statutory Planning team. The Principal Planner will lead on the assessment of a variety of planning applications as well as mentor and coach more junior members of staff. As a pivotal member of the team, the Principal Planner will also be responsible for devising and implementing identified process improvements as part of a broader suite of new measures to be implemented. The Principal Planner will be an active participant in team meetings and assist in guiding discussions together with Planning Coordinators and the Manager.

About You

The City of Ballarat is seeking an experienced technical officer who has aspirations to develop their leadership skills. You will ideally have rural/regional experience and an understanding of the suite of planning controls typical of such environments. You should also bring a positive attitude and have a desire to coach and mentor more inexperienced officers. Whilst previous experience in a similar level position is desired, this is not essential. Candidates will be judged as much upon fit and attitude as their technical capabilities.

Key Selection Criteria

• Qualifications and experience as listed on the position description.

• Proven experience in the leadership and development of staff by coaching, motivating and influencing.

• Ability to identify complex problems and circumstances, identify possible solutions and make consistent decisions based on a clear and logical analysis of the Ballarat Planning Scheme and relevant legislation.

• A proven ability to provide high-level customer service in a timely and professional manner.

• Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise and communicate with all levels of management, Councillors, colleagues and the public.

• Demonstrated experience in identifying and implementing process improvements in order to achieve Council’s corporate objectives.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and mediate high-quality solutions to complex statutory planning problems, often in the face of broad opposition.

• Relevant experience in preparing and delivering submissions and successfully negotiating on behalf of Council at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

To Apply

This position closes 12th June 2025. Please ensure that you provide a cover letter, current resume, address the key selection criteria.

Contact

For any additional questions, please contact Connor Perrott, Manager Statutory Planning on 0419 108 257.

The City of Ballarat is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a safe and inclusive working environment that embraces and values diversity, flexibility and child safety. We welcome applications from all walks of life and celebrate the diversity and richness this brings to our workplace and reasonable adjustments will be made to the process to ensure equitable access. We undertake an employment screening process to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate holds a valid working with children check and satisfactory criminal history record check.