Senior Development Assessment Officer

The City of Parramatta is going through unprecedented change and transformation as we grow and transform into a Global City. The intensity of growth and investment in City of Parramatta means that Council, their partners, and community have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the City's future and ensure it is culturally, socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable. 

Join Our Team as a Senior Development Assessment Officer

Welcome to the City of Parramatta, where innovation meets community spirit We're on the lookout for a dynamic and experienced Senior Development Assessment Officer to join our vibrant team. If you're passionate about shaping the future of our city, this is the role for you

 

About This Role

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a capable and experienced professional to join our motivated Development Assessment team. This role is central to the success of our plans and will play a key part in actively contributing to the ongoing improvements in our service delivery and fostering a positive, customer-focused culture following the establishment of the new City of Parramatta Council in 2016. Since then, development assessments in the new City area have increased by 30%, and this position will assist the team with this increased workload.

This position is responsible for ensuring development outcomes are consistent with the City of Parramatta's Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans, and general strategic vision, to protect the public interest in development matters, and to contribute to continual process and policy improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process development applications and provide top-notch planning advice.
• Mentor and inspire student and junior planners within the team.
• Step up as Team Leader when needed and lead with confidence.
• Project manage development applications in a time-efficient manner, managing stakeholder expectations and needs in line with Council practices
• Manage and present high-quality written reports
• Provide professional written and verbal planning advice 
• Represent Council in external planning forums when required.
• Identify complex development issues and development solutions across a range of development proposals.
• Act in the role of Team Leader as required and mentor staff.

About You

You will bring extensive experience in the assessment, management, and processing of Development Applications in a diverse environment like ours. Five (5) years preferred, but if you don't meet this, we still encourage you to apply

• Strong skills in producing high-quality written reports and submissions.
• Experience in managing and acting in appeals in the NSW Land and Environment Court. 

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or a related field.

• Current Class C Drivers Licence.

What's On Offer

We are offering an attractive total remuneration from $121,367 to $133,651 PA + 12% superannuation. 

Participation in Council's Motor Vehicle Scheme will be discussed with the successful applicant.

In addition City of Parramatta also offer excellent employee benefits which include: 

• A range of flexible work arrangements including hybrid WFH arrangements
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Access to Long Service Leave after 5 years
• Central Parramatta location (Public transport at our door, discounted parking)
• Significant leave benefits (up to 12 days flexi-time, 3 additional leave days at Christmas, 15 days sick/personal leave, 2 days health and wellbeing leave per year)
• Learning and development opportunities
• Health and Wellbeing programs (Fitness Passport, flu shots, etc.) 

Want to know more? 

Further information regarding the requirements of this role can be found in the attached Position Description. 

Alternatively for a confidential discussion please contact 
Jonathan Cleary on or email

Review our Values Flyer which outlines Council's core values and behaviours. 

Ready to make a difference? 

Candidates MUST apply online.

Please attach a Cover Letter addressing how your experience and skills meet the requirements of this role. 

Applications close 9pm, Wednesday, 12, November 2025 and will not be accepted through any other medium.

This position requires the preferred candidate to undergo a Criminal History Records check. A criminal history does not necessarily disqualify a prospective candidate from selection.  

The City of Parramatta supports a Drug and Alcohol-free working environment and employees may be subject to random testing as a result. 

Inclusion, Diversity and belonging lies at the heart of how we recruit at the City of Parramatta. We continue to commit to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experiences, and backgrounds. We invite candidates of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, women, ADF veterans, LGBTIQA+ and other culturally diverse groups.  We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and supportive workplace.

Please note you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident or have unlimited working rights in Australia to apply for this position