Make a real impact leading planning in an aspiring regional LGA

Up to $120K + Super + relocation assistance, hybrid flexibility and monthly RDO

Permanent Full-Time | 70 hours per fortnight

Lead, influence, and innovate as part of a purpose-driven team transforming the future of Glen Innes

About Glen Innes Severn Council

Located in the heart of the New England region of NSW, Glen Innes Severn Council serves a vibrant, welcoming community that values progress, sustainability, and heritage. Spanning over 5,487km², the Council area includes the town of Glen Innes and charming surrounding villages such as Deepwater, Emmaville, Glencoe, Wellingrove, and Red Range.

The Council is committed to delivering exceptional services while fostering a thriving and connected community. With a strong focus on infrastructure, environmental protection, and economic development, we pride ourselves on strategic leadership and collaborative partnerships that shape the region’s future.

We offer a supportive, values-driven work environment with flexible work arrangements, training and development opportunities, and a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing.

About the Opportunity

Glen Innes Severn Council is looking for a full-time Coordinator Development Assessment based in Glen Innes, NSW.

This critical leadership role reports to the Director Place and Growth and is responsible for supervising Council’s planning section, assessing development applications, providing strategic advice, and driving process improvements in development assessment to shape development across the region, while playing a key role in supporting Glen Innes' long-term population growth.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Leading and supervising the planning team

Assessing and determining development applications in accordance with legislation and internal KPIs

Coordinating input from multidisciplinary teams and consultants during assessments

Facilitating and chairing pre-lodgement Development Assessment Unit meetings

Preparing high-quality planning reports and supervising staff documentation

Monitoring and improving internal development assessment processes

Representing Council in legal proceedings including the NSW Land and Environment Court

Contributing to and/or facilitating strategic planning projects and policy development

Supporting and promoting planning awareness in the community

About You

To qualify, you will need 3 - 5 years experience in statutory planning within local government, as well as a current Class C driver’s licence. A strong working knowledge of NSW planning legislation and the ability to interpret and apply these laws in a practical context are essential.

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

Tertiary qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline

Experience supervising or mentoring staff

Experience in court representation, including the NSW Land and Environment Court

Eligibility for membership with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

A collaborative, “can-do” approach to leadership and stakeholder engagement

Entrepreneurial thinking - spotting opportunities to improve and grow our LGA through innovative strategic planning

A strong desire to shape not just processes, but also how planning is communicated and delivered across the community

As our ideal candidate you are an ambitious planning professional ready to take the next step into leadership. You bring proven experience in development assessment within local government and the drive to build and guide a team while shaping real outcomes for the community.

You have a collaborative and solutions focused mindset, seeing opportunities rather than obstacles and representing planning as a positive, community facing function. You are excited by the chance to make a visible impact across an entire LGA, improve systems, and act as a planning ambassador.

This role offers you the scope to lead with purpose, develop your own team and pave the way for future progression into a management role while delivering meaningful projects that influence strategic outcomes for a growing regional community.

About the Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary of up to $120,000 + Super, along with a range of outstanding benefits designed to support your career, lifestyle, and wellbeing, including:

Relocation assistance (up to $5,000) and subsidised rental for up to 3 months

Flexible and hybrid work arrangements, including block attendance models

Remote work options (within NSW only, due to workers comp requirements)

Remote area salary packaging, allowing salary sacrifice of rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and more

Optional leaseback vehicle

Monthly Rostered Day Off (RDO)

Study support: grants, loans, study leave, and formal qualifications like Grad Dips

Professional development opportunities

Paid maternity and parental leave

Sick leave and carers leave, with carryover from other NSW councils

Long service leave after 5 years

Subsidised uniforms and PPE provided

Wellbeing and EAP programs for employees and their families

Supportive leadership and pathways to promotion

Future-fit office space: bespoke workplace coming in 2026

Be part of a growing town with low property prices and short commutes

Ready to lead, influence and help shape the future of Glen Innes? Apply now and bring your planning expertise to where it truly makes a difference.

Glen Innes Severn Council is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported to thrive.