Senior Open Space Planner

• Max Term, full time opportunity until 18 November 2026
• $118,141 – 132, % Super
• Employee Discounts Program

About the role

The Senior Open Space Planner plays a key part in delivering impactful outcomes for our community by enhancing and protecting our parks, planning for population growth, and responding to the climate and biodiversity crisis all while supporting the strategic goals of the City of Melbourne.

Working as part of the Open Space Planning team, you will contribute to policies, strategies, and master plans that ensure our parks and green infrastructure continue to support the health, wellbeing, and resilience of our city. You'll collaborate with Traditional Owners, community, government and industry stakeholders to create sustainable, innovative and inclusive outcomes.

In this role, you will also take the lead on finalising the Royal Park Master Plan project, helping shape one of Melbourne's most significant open spaces for current and future generations.

A little more about the role

• Lead the development of open space strategies, master plans, and policies
• Provide expert guidance on parks, gardens, and open space planning matters, including planning referrals
• Manage complex projects, budgets, and timelines to deliver high-quality outcomes
• Engage and consult with community and stakeholders to shape open space projects
• Opportunity to take on this role as a secondment within local government

Why join Team Melbourne?

Located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne is globally recognised as one of the most liveable, diverse, and dynamic cities.

At the heart of it all is the City of Melbourne – a passionate, purpose-driven organisation where your work truly matters. As part of Team Melbourne, you'll help deliver what's most important to the people who live, work, study, visit and invest in our great city.

We're proud champions of diversity, committed to continuous improvement, and driven by a shared vision for a vibrant and sustainable future.

This is more than just a role – it's your chance to make a real impact, contribute to something bigger, and shape Melbourne's future alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

About you

You are an experienced open space planner with the ability to think strategically and deliver practical outcomes. You bring strong technical expertise, stakeholder engagement skills and a genuine passion for parks, gardens, and green infrastructure.

What your experience might look like

• Tertiary qualification in Recreation, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Natural Resource Management, Horticulture, or a related discipline
• Significant experience in open space planning, policy and master plan development
• Significant experience in community engagement and stakeholder management
• Strong project management skills with a proven record of delivering projects successfully
• Ability to supervise and monitor consultants and manage multidisciplinary networks

Benefits of working with us

• Attractive remuneration & benefits: Excellent pay package with a range of exciting benefits. Flexible working & other great corporate discounts.
• Excellent leave entitlements: Enjoy up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers, in addition to the government-funded parental leave, with no waiting period to access. Part-time equivalents are also available for added flexibility.
• Career progression: Career development support and opportunities to learn new skills within a creative and exciting environment.
• Work-life balance and hybrid working: We support flexible hours, alternative work arrangements (like ADOs), and hybrid work-from-home options.

How to apply

Click the APPLY button to be redirected to our Careers Portal

Submit your application no later than 11:45pm on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.

A few important things to note – don't miss out

• Applications must be submitted online. Unfortunately, we can't accept applications via email, so please be sure to apply through the official job link provided.
• We are a child safe organisation. The City of Melbourne has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All employees undergo thorough safety screening, including a Police Check and, for most roles, a Working with Children Check.

Need more info?

Refer to the position description below or contact Tim Burt – (Acting) Principal Open Space Planner,

Inclusion matters

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and people of all ages and faith backgrounds.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our Careers team if you're contacted for an interview.