Expression of Interest - Strategic / Senior Strategic Planner

About the opportunity

Are you an experienced planner seeking a new opportunity or a planner looking to explore what local government has to offer?  You may be looking for a tree change, or perhaps you prefer an easy commute from Newcastle or the Central Coast? Whatever your motivation, come and work with us in one of NSW’s most popular wine and tourism destinations!  We are calling on interested candidates to submit an expression of interest, specifically those interested in the Strategic planning function of Council.   

The Strategic Planning team performs the vital task of assessing development applications.  Cessnock City Council is in a unique situation where we can offer you the opportunity to gain experience in the assessment of applications ranging from viticulture and tourist-related development, to major residential subdivision proposals, to industrial, commercial and residential development.

Whether you are a graduate planner or experienced senior planner, we look forward to hearing from you!

Why Work for us?

You will be located in the picturesque Hunter Valley which is just 120 kilometres north of Sydney and 40 kilometres west of Newcastle. Our region is well renowned as Australia's oldest wine producing region and has a tourism industry worth an estimated $521 million. 

Working at Cessnock City Council you will have access to a wide range of benefits and options to help you balance your work/life commitments. These include; 

• Attractive Remuneration package
• Flexible work arrangement options including hybrid work arrangements, option for a nine-day fortnight or monthly RDO
• 11.5% superannuation
• Generous leave entitlements including Long Service Leave after 5 years
• Paid Parental Leave
• Relocation Allowance available
• Leaseback vehicle may be available
• Free parking on-site
• Ongoing training and development opportunities including access to Council's Study Assistance program
• Generous corporate fitness program for you and your immediate family members 
• Beautiful location in the picturesque Hunter Valley! 

Applications Close: Thursday 8 June 2023 at 11.30pm

Who to Contact: 

Jenny Mewing, Acting Principal Strategic Planner on  0460 011 604

How to Apply:

Please complete the application form below and provide detailed responses to the questions which relate to the criteria within the position description, then upload a copy of your resume and cover letter. Your candidate suitability is determined by your responses to the selection criteria questions, for more information on how to address the selection criteria please visit our How to apply page.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Please note, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates will be required to undertake a medical assessment (including drug and alcohol testing) and other pre-employment checks, such as references, employment history checks, working with children checks or a criminal record check.

About Us:

At Cessnock City Council our success is built by our people and core values. We offer you a direct connection to the community, providing opportunities to both inspire growth and sustainability in our diverse region. We're committed to building a passionate and inclusive workforce. 

We are committed to the value of respect, and we strive to have an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the diverse populations we serve. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans and people with disabilities.

We partner with the Veterans Employment Program and the NSW Government to implement recruitment practices dedicated to supporting veterans to pursue a career in local government. Our aim is to support veterans finding suitable, sustainable and meaningful employment.

There are options available to request adjustments. If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact recruitment@cessnock.nsw.gov.au for a confidential discussion.

Guided by staff values of integrity, respect, teamwork, accountability and excellence, Cessnock City Council is indeed an attractive, thriving Council and employer of choice.