Community Engagement Officer

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can grow and develop while having the benefit of living in an idyllic North Coast location? Here at Clarence Valley Council, we strive to be a progressive employer that offers a rewarding and flexible work environment. Our vision is to create a community full of opportunity and our workforce is where we start to achieve our community aspirations.

Located in the Northern Rivers of NSW, we cover 10,441 square kilometres with the three major community hubs of Grafton, Yamba and Maclean. We are one of the biggest employers in the Valley and can offer you a rewarding career and a new lifestyle. Our goal is to be the employer of choice in the Valley, creating opportunities for those who live here already and for those who want to move here.

We are in an exciting period of transformation with a focus on employee engagement, satisfaction and delivering exceptional services and facilities for the community.

We strive to lead with openness and courage and want you to be part of that journey.

So come and join the team while enjoying all that Clarence Valley has to offer you and your family.

Learn more about living in the Clarence Valley here.

What you need to know...

•    permanent part time/full time – 56-70 hours per fortnight

•    the package: $67,446 to $100,539 plus superannuation per annum

•    location: Maclean, NSW, however the successful applicant will be required to also work from our Grafton Office 

•    flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance 

•    enjoy the benefits of flex time

•    access to fitness passport

About the role

Council's Community Engagement team thrive in a fast paced, positive working environment. We have a knack for adapting to the needs of customers, both internal and external and set the standard for planning and delivering high quality engagement programs.

We care about ensuring our community participate in Council's decision making and work toward achieving our community's aspirations in a transparent, inclusive, equitable and collaborative way. We have a great team culture and strive to share the load creating trusting professional relationship with open communication and dialogue.

Our solution focussed outlook ensures our team environment is a safe and supported one and our that our workplace is culturally safe. The Community Engagement Officer - First Nations role is part time, responsible for overseeing and reporting on council's Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) actions, planning and implementing the First Nations Engagement Framework and ensuring that council's First Nations Cultural & Engagement Protocol is up to date and reflective of cultural protocols that are important to our community. The role also supports internal business units to plan and undertake community consultation as well as deliver events and activities identified in council's RAP.

For the right candidate the role can be either part-time 56 hours per fortnight or full-time 70 hours per fortnight. 

To be considered for this position you will need to:

• Address the essential requirements of the role as per position description
• Supply relevant certificates and licences
• Attach a cover letter (2 pages maximum) and an up-to-date resume (5 pages maximum) that clearly details your skills & experience as relevant to this position. You will need to demonstrate how you meet the focus capabilities and how your skills will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities.
• Target questions - answer the target questions - maximum 300 words each question
  
  Q1. Tell us about a specific time when you had to handle a tough problem which challenged fairness or ethnical issues. Explain what happened, how you handled it and what was the outcome?
  
  Q2. Tell us about a work-related situation you have been in that took a lot of courage to work through. What was it, what did you do and what was the outcome?
  
  Q3. What different approaches have you used in talking with different people about something you were working on? How did you know you were getting your point across and that quieter voices were heard?

Contact

Kath Arndell, Coordinator Community Engagement on

Closing date

Tuesday 16 September 2025 at 11.30 pm (NSW time).

Other important information

This position is located at Council's Maclean Office with requirements to work from Grafton office, however, this may change should business needs identify other work locations to be more appropriate to deliver our services in the future.

A probation period applies to this position.

Council applies the definition of Aboriginality as defined in the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983. The Act requires a person to be of Aboriginal decent, identify as an Aboriginal person and be accepted by the Aboriginal community in which he/she lives. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginality in addition to addressing the selection criterion.

Applicants can demonstrate their Aboriginality by:

•    Demonstrating membership of a Local Aboriginal Land Council; or

•    Presenting a certificate or paper confirming Aboriginality from a recognised Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community organisation with a common seal.

How to apply

All applications must be lodged online via Council's website

For further information about the selection process including tips on how to address the selection criteria please refer to the Careers page on the Clarence Valley Council website.

Do you want further information on how to apply under the Capability Framework? Please read our How to apply for a job guide.

Council is an EEO employer and First Nations people are encouraged to apply.

Council also recognises the skills and attributes of veterans and welcomes applications from ex-service personnel.