Environmental Planning Officer

• Permanent Full Time
• $83,714.28 per annum plus Superannuation 
• Join the Planning & Development team

The Environmental Planning Officer is responsible for protecting and enhancing the municipality’s built and natural environment through environmental planning advice, assessment of planning applications, compliance monitoring, and enforcement of environmental planning requirements. The position works closely with applicants, property owners and the community to achieve positive environmental outcomes and regulatory compliance.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide specialist advice to internal and external stakeholders on Victoria’s planning framework, environmental management, vegetation and biodiversity matters, environmentally sustainable design and development, and industrial stormwater management practices.
• Liaise and negotiate with landowners, developers, consultants and government agencies to achieve improved environmental planning outcomes where planning controls are absent or limited.
• Facilitate integrated environmental outcomes through collaboration with Council departments and external stakeholders.
• Assist with implementing environmental planning behaviour change and community education programs, in relation to pollution mitigation from industrial and development sites.
• Monitor new and existing developments to ensure compliance with the Hume Planning Scheme. Planning Permits and agreements under section 173 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, related to environmental planning and environmentally sustainable design and development.
• Provide specialist and technical advice to internal and external stakeholders, including government departments and agencies, major land developers, Council departments and the community in relation to native vegetation offset management and conservation reserve handovers. 

The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role:

• Ability to manage time, set priorities, and plan and organise one’s own work to achieve specific objectives within available resources and statutory or agreed timeframes.
• Well-developed knowledge of the statutory procedures and underlying principles of environmental planning compliance and enforcement.
• Ability to work within clear objectives, established guidelines and legislative frameworks, exercising professional judgement and seeking guidance on significant, sensitive or highly complex matters.
• Ability to maintain the cooperation and assistance of a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including property owners, ratepayers, Council officers, developers, builders, consultants, community groups and government agencies to achieve defined environmental planning and compliance outcomes.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports within the position’s field of expertise and external correspondence.

Required Certifications & Qualifications

• A relevant degree or diploma in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Sustainable Development, Strategic or Statutory Planning, or a related discipline, with little or no relevant experience; or lesser formal qualifications with relevant experience and work skills commensurate with the requirements of the position.

Why Hume City Council?

A leader in local government, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:

We’re better, every day: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

We’re in it together: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

We show up: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

All for Hume: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

All candidates will be required to undertake background and probity checks including Reference Checks, Working with Children Check, and a Criminal Record Check.

For any queries, please contact us at careers@hume.vic.gov.au.

Please ensure your application includes a response addressing the Key Selection Criteria specified in the Position Description.

Applications will be reviewed progressively throughout the advertising period. This role may close once a sufficient number of suitable applicants has been received. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as early as possible.

Position Description