Heritage Officer

About us

We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians.  
Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria's transport, planning and land services for use by all.  
We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.

About the group

Planning and Land Services delivers responsive, customer focussed, high quality planning, land administration and property services that support thriving places and connected communities.

Heritage Victoria is the principal body in Victoria responsible for the State's historic heritage. It delivers the functions of the Heritage Act 2017, which enables the identification, protection and management of Victoria's State significant heritage places and objects, including historic archaeological sites and maritime heritage. Heritage Victoria maintains the Victorian Heritage Register, the archaeological Heritage Inventory and the Historic Shipwrecks Database. It advises property owners, local and State government bodies, industry and the general community on heritage practice. It seeks to increase recognition of Victoria's significant heritage, to support the retention of significant values when heritage places are adapted or changed, and to communicate the benefits of investing in heritage assets.

About the role

The Heritage Officer (Permits) will contribute to the work of the multi-disciplinary team delivering Heritage Victoria's statutory functions under the Heritage Act 2017. The position will be responsible for the assessment of permit applications, permit exemptions and other statutory applications in relation to changes proposed for heritage places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register. The position will provide recommendations required in the delivery of statutory functions and liaise with and provide advice to owners, clients, consultants and other stakeholders on statutory processes and heritage matters. 

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex heritage and statutory matters to deliver balanced and evidence-based recommendations. They will be an effective communicator who can adapt their style to different audiences, build constructive relationships and collaborate across teams to achieve positive heritage outcomes. Success in this role relies on resilience, sound judgement and a commitment to continuous improvement in a fast-paced and high-quality service environment.

To access the Position Description, please click here

Position accountabilities
-    Complete the assessment of permits and permit exemptions and other statutory applications in accordance with statutory timeframes including the preparation of high quality, factually correct and objective reports and correspondence. 
-    Prepare for and contribute to the representation of the Executive Director at Heritage Council hearings, as required.
-    Provide specialist heritage advice to owners, clients and stakeholders, including negotiation of positive heritage outcomes.
-    Manage and maintain effective partnerships between industry, community organisations, State and local government authorities, the Heritage Council and other stakeholders. 
-    Contribute to the efficient management of systems, procedures and record keeping that enable the efficient and transparent administration and reporting of permit processes. 
-    Work flexibly and collaboratively across the business to deliver business unit, group and DTP priorities and initiatives as required. 

Qualifications and experience
Mandatory
-    A tertiary qualification in a heritage related discipline including but not limited to architecture, conservation, engineering, planning, archaeology, landscape or horticulture with experience in heritage conservation required.
-    Demonstrated understanding of the philosophical and practical issues relating to the conservation and management of the State's most significant heritage places is required.
-    Demonstrated understanding of the Heritage Act 2017.
Desirable
-    Experience working in a heritage related field

Culture Value

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department's goals.

What we offer

Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.

For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.

How to apply

Click the 'Apply' button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.

If have any issues, click here for Quick Reference Guide on how to apply.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday,  the 24th of November 2025.

Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we're unable to accept email or manual submissions.

For further information about the role, please contact Jessica Hood, Principal Heritage Permits via or on

Important Information:

If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email. We're here to support you.