Senior Officer Open Space Planning

• A varied and rewarding role, you will play a key role in the strategic planning for open space within the Gympie Regional Council area.
• Competitive annual salary commencing at $101,122, plus up to 13% superannuation
• Great range of additional benefits, including health & wellness programs, salary sacrifice options, salary packaging arrangements and a fortnightly RDO.

About the Region

Gympie is at the heart of a rapidly expanding region which stretches from rural valleys in our western reaches to the Cooloola Coast.  Bordering Noosa and Fraser Coast Local Government areas, we are uniquely positioned to grow whilst still retaining our country charm.  Our borders with North and South Burnett, and the Somerset Local Government areas link with our rural lifestyle, where you can enjoy our picturesque smaller townships, or our abundant local history.  Our local festivals such as the Gympie Music Muster are renowned both nationally and internationally. 

For someone seeking a high quality of life, with pristine natural areas and spectacular beaches, all within reach of Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, we are offering this unique opportunity.

Senior Officer Open Space Planning

Remuneration: Annual salary commencing at $101,122, plus up to 13% superannuation

Closing Date: Sunday 26th January 2025 at 11.00pm AEST ( Please note:  This vacancy will remain open until after the festive season, applicants will not be contacted until 2 weeks after the closing date)

No late applications will be accepted.  Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered. Unsolicited applications from agencies will not be considered. 

Role Overview

To provide leadership and guidance in relation to the delivery of high-quality public realm, recreation and open space planning outcomes. Guide open space strategy and policy development advice to Council in order to inform, guide and improve the provision of Council’s public realm and open space services, facilities and activities.

Essential Knowledge & Skills: 

• Tertiary qualifications in Sport, Public Open Space Planning and/or a related discipline and/or significant experience in planning, strategy or policy development in a local government environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in leading and delivering successful open space projects including planning, strategy or policy development
• Analytical, conceptual and problem-solving knowledge and skills with sound judgement and capacity to make recommendations where diverse interests need to be considered
• Demonstrated experience in effective communication with enhanced written and verbal communication skills, experience in presentations and advanced community engagement skills
• Ability to prepare reports and provide technical open space advice in response to organisational needs
• Knowledge of and ability to implement best practice project management skills
• Queensland ‘C’ Class driver’s licence that is current and maintained

Essential Requirements: 

• Play a key role in the strategic planning for open space within the Gympie Regional Council area specifically in relation to the future development and provision of Council recreation and sports parks open spaces and public realm improvements.
• Act as an internal referral for development applications with regard to landscaping requirements and public open space matters. Including attendance at pre-application meetings and on and off maintenance inspections.
• Assist in developing policy and strategy relating to public open space activities and undertake operational strategic planning within agreed budgets and time frames.
• Co-ordinate the preparation of and/or prepare strategic plans and documents in relation to public open space planning including procurement activities, consultant management, project management and stakeholder engagement
• Review public open space plans, strategies and other documentation presented to Council prepared by others
• Provide specialist and technical open space advice to other Council departments and coordinate enquiries from internal and external customers including residents, businesses and other Councils.
• Assist in the preparation of Council’s capital works programme and budgets
• Establish and maintain co-operative and effective partnerships with relevant sport, environmental, open space, community and government organisations and internal Council teams
• Liaise and consult with community groups, reference groups, Council departments, contractors, stakeholders, and organisations as appropriate
• Undertake community engagement, data analysis, and modelling to support evidence-based planning, strategy and policy development
• Procurement in line with Council’s procurement policies
• Assist in the process to discover grant funding opportunities that will benefit the Region’s urban and open space design vision
• Where appropriate prepare funding submissions, manage successful applications within budgeting constraints and complete financial returns in a timely manner in respect to parks and open space facilities and service’s projects
• Assist in Council and service delivery reporting including preparation of service delivery statistics and financial reporting as required.
• Other duties as directed by the Coordinator Urban Design.

Position Description

For a full position description containing essential and desirable criteria, please click here. 

Who to Contact

For information regarding the requirements of this role, please contact Council's Manager Panning, Tania Stenholm on 07-5481 0421 or email tania.stenholm@gympie.qld.gov.au

For assistance lodging your application using Council's online system, please contact Council's Officer Recruitment, Sue Rossi on 07-5481 0971 or email sue.rossi@gympie.qld.gov.au

What we offer?

• Nine-day fortnight
• Access to employee health and well-being programs
• Fitness Passport: work out at over 25 local gyms for you and your family at a subsidised rate
• Long service leave after seven years
• Generous superannuation scheme of up to 13 per cent
• Access to salary sacrificing and salary packaging arrangements
• Employee assistance program offering free confidential counselling services for employees and their families.

Our Values

• Accountability
• Communication
• Customer Service Focused
• Integrity
• Teamwork and Collaboration

For a full explanation of our values please click here.  You will be assessed on your understanding of these values and how you have applied values such as these in your previous employment.

Our Process

Successful applicants will be required to undertake various checks such as skills, qualifications, reference, medical and national police.

Keen to apply? -  Simply follow the instructions below:

1) Download and review the position description above
2) Complete the information below as requested using your personal email. 
3) Click 'APPLY'
4) Attach your resume, covering letter and a single document containing copies of your qualifications, licences or tickets as applicable.
5) Click 'NEXT' and 'CONFIRM'

Please note before continuing: It is advisable that you prepare your responses in a separate word or text document, saving your work as you go and that you then copy and paste this prepared information in the form before completing the application process. Please keep your responses to a maximum 300 words for each question.

Applications close on Sunday 26th January 2025 at 11.00pm AEST. No late applications will be accepted. Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered.

Gympie Regional Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our people represent the community which we service. We invite all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations People, and people from diverse social, cultural and gender backgrounds.