Full-Time Permanent Position (38 hours per week)

Local Government is well known for our commitment to work-life balance, and here at Barkly Regional Council we are no different. With no traffic to contend with on your daily commute and reasonable work hours Monday to Friday along with 6 weeks annual leave you will have no excuse for not committing to work-life balance.

About the Barkly Region:

The Barkly Region covers more than 320,000 km2 stretching from the old Telegraph Station at Barrow Creek in the south to the historical droving township of Newcastle Waters in the north. Located approximately 1000km south of Darwin and 500km north of Alice Springs. Tennant Creek has a population of 3,252 and is the largest town in the region.

Living in the Barkly:

Learn about the local cultural at Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre, spend the day kayaking at Tingkkarli (Lake Mary Ann), or take a walk around the peculiar rock formations of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) or use your leisure time from work and take a 4WD adventure into the Davenport Ranges. There is lots to discover in the Barkly Region. With some of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia and easy access to several of Australia’s tourism icons. It’s safe to say your life will be a breeze whilst living in the Barkly.

About us:

The Barkly Regional Council is the second-largest Local Government by land mass in Australia. The estimated population of the Barkly Regional Council is 6,316 spread over 7 communities (2 regional towns and 5 remote communities). Employing 250 staff, of whom 67% are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, we are committed to delivering services for residents of the region.

About Tennant Creek:

Tennant Creek is the main service hub for the Barkly Region, offering convenient access to everyday essentials and lifestyle amenities. The town features a well-stocked IGA, a range of specialist retail outlets, hardware and auto stores, as well as cafés, pubs, and clubs that bring the community together. It also serves as a vital connection point for surrounding remote communities, providing access to goods, services, and transport.

Tennant Creek supports the region’s health needs with a 20-bed public hospital and a private medical centre. Education is well provided for, with both a primary school and high school in town, along with childcare and early learning services. The new, modern Youth Centre delivers programs and support for young people, and there are a number of sporting clubs, arts programs, and cultural initiatives that reflect the region’s strong Aboriginal heritage. With regular flights to Alice Springs and Darwin, Tennant Creek offers a balanced lifestyle for those seeking meaningful work in a vibrant outback setting.

About the Role:

Barkly Regional Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Relief Council Services Manager to lead and manage a team of community and program staff. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality Council services, maintaining well-presented, safe, and healthy communities.

The role involves leadership, management, and supervision of daily community programs, municipal services, and contracted services. You will also act as a key community liaison, providing governance support as Secretariat for Local Authorities and engaging with all community stakeholders.

A core requirement of this role is the capacity and willingness to regularly travel across multiple remote Barkly communities, including extended periods of being based in various communities to provide leave coverage for Council Services Managers.

The Essentials:

Capabilities to lead, develop, coach, mentor, and multi-disciplined, cohesive, high-performance team capable of exceeding.

An understanding of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations practices and policies relevant to the workplace.

Demonstrated ability to successfully implement Municipal Services and programs in communities with a range of different cultural backgrounds.

Understanding, or the ability to quickly interpret, relevant Local Government and other relevant legislation, and policies.

Sound knowledge and understanding of financial budgeting and reporting, in accordance with approved budgets.

Driver’s Licence.

National Police Criminal History Check.

Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card – Northern Territory).

CPCWHA1001 Work Safely in the Construction Industry (White Card).

A core requirement of this role is the capacity and willingness to regularly travel across multiple remote Barkly communities for extended periods to provide leave coverage for other Council.

About You:

You have strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

You are committed to delivering high standards of service, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

You have worked in a community context and have demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Finer Details:

Full-Time Permanent position paying Above EBA Award Classification of the Barkly Regional Council Enterprise Agreement 2024.

Annual Base Salary of $130,000 ($5,000 gross per fortnight). Which includes $9,500 travel allowance that recognises and compensates for the requirement to undertake regular and extended periods of travel across Barkly communities.

12% Superannuation.

Annual Leave of 6 weeks paid with 17.5% Leave Loading.

Free access to our Employee Assistance Program.

Housing included (includes utilities, basic furniture and pots, pans, plates and cutlery).

To apply for your new adventure, submit an Expression of Interest covering the Essential Criteria, along with your up-to-date Resume, to [email protected].

Need more information, contact Natrisha Barnett on (08) 8962 0000.

Applications Close at 5:00 pm on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Barkly Regional Council requires that all applicants have a National Criminal History Check. You will be required to provide a recent National Criminal History Check prior to any offer of employment.

Barkly Regional Council requires the applicant to be able to produce or be able to obtain a Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card – Northern Territory) prior to commencement.

Interviews may be scheduled before the closing date and as applications are received.

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, and we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone.

Any application from outside of Australia that does not clearly show that the applicant has full Australian working rights will be automatically rejected.