Community Projects Development Officer

Posted: 31/10/2025

Closing Date: 16/11/2025

Salary: $98,265.00 - $105,798.00

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Head Office - Civic Building, Torquay

Job Category: Community Services & Development
- **Permanent Full Time**
- **$98,265 - $105,798 pa (plus 12% super and annual pay increases)**
- **Flexible working arrangements available including flexitime, WFH and RDOs**

**Who we are**
Surf Coast Shire in Victoria spans the Traditional Lands of the Wadawurrung People and the Gulidjan and Gadabanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar Nation and showcases unique environments from the coast to the hinterland - towns and villages with their own cultures and lifestyles. The charm and values of a coastal lifestyle make it a place where people want to live, work, visit and experience an exceptional quality of life.

The Regional Australia Institute has ranked Surf Coast Shire among Australia’s top 10 connected lifestyle regions for innovation, and a Queensland University of Technology study ranked it mong regional Australia’s top five creative industry hotspots.

Surf Coast Shire Council services the community, striving to be innovative, flexible and committed to business excellence. As a workplace Council provides opportunities to do meaningful work that benefits our community, and offers the chance to add to a great team culture. Our workforce is representative of the towns and communities it serves, and our culture is supportive, respectful, and connected to Council’s purpose of helping our community and environment to thrive.

**_We work together, we see opportunity, we do what we say, and we make a difference._**

**Your new career**
Join our enthusiastic Community Recreation Team, known for its proactive, can-do attitude and passion for connecting people through recreation and wellbeing initiatives.

We work collaboratively with our community to create and promote access to high-quality leisure programs, facilities, and services that inspire active lifestyles, strengthen social connections, and enhance the overall health and wellbeing of the Surf Coast Shire.

As our Community Projects Development Officer, you’ll play a key role in empowering local groups and supporting them to bring their ideas to life. Acting as a vital link between community and Council, you’ll help:

- identify opportunities,
- build local capacity,
- and enable community-led projects that make a lasting difference.

You’ll be the go-to person helping local groups turn great ideas into reality.

**What you will bring to the role**
You’re a natural connector who thrives on bringing people together and turning community ideas into real outcomes. Your approachable style and proactive attitude will help build trust, strengthen partnerships, and deliver projects that create lasting benefits for local communities
**To thrive in this role and bring local projects to life, you’ll bring**:

- strong relationship-building and communication skills that foster collaboration and shared success.
- experience working alongside community groups
- a genuine passion for empowering people to take the lead on local initiatives.
- knowledge of community development and project planning principles that supports effective, sustainable outcomes.

**Key selection criteria**
**Mandatory qualifications, experience and requirements**
- Tertiary qualification in Recreation/ Planning/Community Development or related discipline (Qualification check conducted).
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working in a Local Government environment.
- Experience in project development.
- Excellent communication skills, including influencing and negotiating, rapport building and report writing.
- Experience in working with community groups in identifying and developing project ideas and initiatives from an initial idea to concept and delivery stages.
- A current Working With Children Check
- You have the permanent right to live and work in Australia
- Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council).
A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

**What you’ll love working with us**

We recognise that our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community. Our shire spans the Traditional Lands of the Wadawurrung People and the Gulidjan and Gadabanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar Nation. Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

**There are numerous social activities throughout the year available as well as the benefits of**:

- Flexible working arrangements including working from home and flexi time options