Senior Environmental Planning Officer

• Exciting Permanent Full-Time opportunity 
• $97,099.24-$104,941.87 plus Superannuation
• Join the City Planning and Places team

Are you ready to protect the environment?

Do you have a background in urban planning, environmental science or similar experience?

Hume City Council is seeking a Senior Environmental Planning Officer who understands how protecting the natural and built environment fits into planning policy and processes. You will ideally be a problem solver, an effective communicator, and a collaborative team player with a vision to see the bigger picture in relation to stormwater management, vegetation management, soil management and biodiversity. You thrive on balancing competing priorities whilst placing long lasting environmental outcomes front and centre. This role offers a unique opportunity to help protect the natural and built environment in Hume's growth corridors, whilst also providing you the opportunity to go between 'the desk' to 'outdoor site visits when required.

Hume City Council is one of Australia's fastest growing and culturally diverse councils. We put the customer and our community at the centre of all that we do, ensuring our services are efficient and accessible.

Promoting high standards of environmental protection through the consistent application of planning controls, particularly in areas related to vegetation protection, stormwater management, and soil management. 

What you'll be doing:

• Monitor new and existing developments to ensure compliance with the Hume Planning Scheme and Planning Permits related to Environmental Planning.
• Proactively monitor sites with issued Planning Permits to ensure ongoing compliance with environment-related conditions.
• Carry out both 'pre-commencement' and 'final inspections' meetings upon practical completion of new developments to ensure compliance with environment-related permit conditions, Construction Site Environmental Management Plans (CSEMPs), and endorsed plans.
• Provide subject matter expert advice regarding complaints of non-compliance with the Planning Scheme or environment-related permit conditions.
• Provide advice to the Statutory Planning, Strategic Planning, and other departments as required regarding environmental planning issues.
• Provide specialist advice to internal and external stakeholders in relation to Victoria's planning framework as it relates to stormwater management, vegetation, and biodiversity.
• Liaise with other Council Departments in relation to achieving integrated environmental outcomes.
• Respond to all requests for information in a timely and concise manner, meeting all statutory time limits
• Contribute subject matter expertise to the preparation of submissions to the Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and the Magistrates Court and attend in the capacity of a witness, if required, for environmental planning matters. 
• Draft condition response to the Planning Investigations team to assist in non-compliance of the Hume Planning Scheme and other relevant environmental and heritage legislation.
• Ensure that an efficient internal records system, relating to enforcement matters, is maintained
• Record details of enforcement proceedings or other investigations, as appropriate, within Council's electronic filing systems.

The skills and experience you'll bring to the role:

• A clear and balanced understanding of broader organisational long term goals, and legislative context, as well as Hume's development obligations.
• Sound operational knowledge of statutory planning compliance, including an understanding of underlying principles, procedures, and the ability to provide advice and direction without direct supervision.
• Specialist knowledge in land management, ecological restoration, and Construction Site Environmental Management Plans (CSEMPs), with a thorough understanding of  statutory requirements.
• Understanding of the roles, functions, and interactions between Council departments and relevant government authorities, and ability to navigate inter-agency processes effectively.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, geospatial mapping software such as NatureKit, VicPlan, and DEECA's Native Vegetation Regulation Map (NVR), and data management software.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage competing deadlines, and maintain attention to detail while delivering high-quality work within set timeframes.
• Willing to take the lead when appropriate, showing initiative, confidence, and accountability in driving tasks and supporting team objectives.

Required Certifications & Qualifications 

• Degree or Diploma in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Natural Resource Management, or a related discipline with relevant experience; or lesser formal qualifications with substantial experience in complex or comparable organisations delivering advice within an environmental planning context.
• Knowledge and understanding of current environmental issues in Victoria, particularly in relation to vegetation, river and wetland health, geomorphology, and soil management.
• Experience and understanding of Water Sensitive Urban Design, Integrated Water Management, and/or industrial stormwater management
• Prior experience in compliance, with a robust understanding of environmental legislation.
• Completion of relevant training in conflict de-escalation and interpersonal skills is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage.
• A well-versed knowledge of growth corridor challenges and opportunities, and an understanding of the inherent complexity of environmental planning and compliance relevant to the Hume municipality.
• Current driver's licence.

In this position, you will be reporting to the Team Leader of Environmental Planning, within the Environmental Planning and Compliance Unit.

For assistance and inquiries in relation to this position, please contact: Dominic Bowd, [email protected],

Why Hume City Council?

A leader in local government, we're committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:

We're better, every day: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

We're in it together: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

We show up: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

All for Hume: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

All candidates will be required to undertake background and probity checks including Reference Checks, Working with Children Check, and a Criminal Record Check.

Position Description