Senior Planning Officer

Do you want to work for a values-based, emergency service organisation that puts the community at the centre of everything we do?

We are proud of the work we do in protecting lives and property, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

With over 51,000 volunteers CFA strives to be an organisation of choice for volunteers and employees. We, embrace individuals with diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds, recognising the unique value they bring to CFA.

To learn more about the Country Fire Authority (CFA), we invite you to visit our About Us page.

About the Role

To enhance community safety and ensure that bushfire risk is considered in planning decisions, we are currently seeking a Senior Planning Officer to be part of our Land Use Planning Team. The Team is state based, however this position will have a focus on CFA's Southwest and West Regions Contacting CFA | CFA (Country Fire Authority) with flexible work options to be negotiated.

These newly created specialist roles will focus on the provision of expert advice to local authorities and other stakeholders on the bushfire requirements in planning schemes and CFA's role as a referral authority. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, these positions require the ability to advise and provide information to both internal and external stakeholders, build strong relationships and contribute to a constructive team environment by displaying CFA's values.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide expert bushfire and land use planning advice to local and state authorities
• Respond to planning permit referrals and advise on the Victorian Planning Provisions
• In line with planning scheme requirements, conduct bushfire behaviour and vegetation assessments and contribute to emergency management planning
• Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team and engage with both internal and external stakeholders
• Uphold and promote CFA's values in all interactions and team contributions

A detailed position description is attached.

About You

Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Tertiary qualifications or experience in town planning, building design, surveying or fire management
• Understanding of Victorian planning legislation, the Victorian planning system and the operation of the Victoria Planning Provisions
• Ability to interpret legislation relevant to CFA's role in community safety and land use planning
• Experience in the assessment and review of statutory planning applications or preparation of planning permit application material and experience resolving complex planning issues in line with legislation, guidance and policy
• Experience in the development and/or assessment of complex planning reports preferably related to bushfire or other natural hazards
• Understanding of emergency management planning, bushfire behaviour and bushfire fighting
• High level written and verbal communication skills with ability to prepare well-constructed reports, submissions, and guidance
• High-level problem-solving skills and ability to think laterally to develop solutions and meet desired outcomes

A full driver's licence is required, and a pool vehicle will be supplied as required, for use by the successful applicant. Please note these positions will involve some afterhours work.

Why choose CFA

• Meaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a difference
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisions
• Growth Opportunities: Learning and development
• Flexibility: Hybrid work options with flexible work arrangements
• Discounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various services
• Wellbeing Focus: Healthy for Life programs, flu vaccinations
• Member Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathways

Your Application

Click the 'apply' button to access our online application form. Here you will be asked to provide personal and contact details and respond to employment-related questions.

When applying for a position with CFA, please submit a cover letter and resume that demonstrates your qualifications, experience, key attributes and skills required for the position.

Pre-employment Checks

Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who:

• Successfully complete Reference Checks, a National Police History Check, Working Rights Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check.

CFA is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and safe volunteer and work environment. Our aim is to have a volunteer and paid workforce that reflects the community it serves. First Nations people, women, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply.

Applications close: 11:59pm 17 November 2025.

If at any stage of the recruitment and selection process you require an alternative format to the application material or reasonable adjustment to the interview arrangements, please don't hesitate to contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively, email

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) values your privacy. We will use the information you provide when you are applying for employment with us for the purpose of recruitment, selection, evaluation and appointment and to report on anonymised key metrics (e.g. diversity). The information we collect will be handled in accordance with privacy laws, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can view our Privacy Statement here. For access and correction of the information we have collected, contact