Community Project Officer

Byron Shire Council is focused on partnering with our community and offers pristine beaches, diverse lifestyles, a magnificent natural environment and a subtropical climate. Stay, live and work in our community. We're seeking a proactive Community Project Officer to support Council's transition to new governance models for community halls.

In this pivotal role, you'll be the primary contact for Section 355 Committees, help implement policies and systems, and lead the development and delivery of a new volunteer program. You'll collaborate with volunteers, hall hirers, and internal teams to ensure facilities are well-managed, accessible, and effectively used. The role also supports the management of Council's leased and licensed community buildings, where you will resolve issues, requests or complaints as they arise. This is a term-limited position contributing to Council's strategy to strengthen the governance and management of community facilities. The position is 3 days (21 hours) per week, and is available on a fixed term contract for 2 years, with possibility of extension.

Key focus areas:

• Support the Community Facilities Unit in implementing changes for facilities managed by Section 355 Committees.
• Contribute to corporate goals and a positive, collaborative workplace culture across all Council Directorates.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with volunteers and stakeholders to achieve community outcomes.
• Provide guidance, advice, and assistance to volunteers who support community facilities.
• Liaise with internal teams to resolve complex leasing, licensing, and operational issues.
• Develop and implement policies, programs, and projects to improve facility safety, utilisation, and community benefit.
• Ensure financial compliance, assist with budgeting, and maintain activities within budgetary limits.

What we're looking for you to bring to this role:

• Sound practical experience in project management; initiating, co-ordinating, monitoring and evaluating projects or improvement initiatives; developing appropriate planning documents; community engagement; research and report-writing.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field and substantial experience in Community Development, Public Administration or related field.

Your knowledge and experience will include:

• Sound knowledge of policy development, project management, program management, community engagement, report writing and service delivery.
• Sound knowledge of community development practice
• Sound working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of computer programs.
• Understanding of local government.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and substantial experience in Community Development, Public Administration or related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including strong negotiation and communication skills and demonstrated ability to foster strong relationships with community, staff, volunteers and relevant stakeholders.
• Demonstrated excellent project management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to think conceptually and analytically to interpret or develop policies and/or improve processes that meet the needs of Council and the community.
• Strong written communications skills including professional documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and supportively as part of a multi-skilled team addressing community needs.
• Demonstrated computer literacy, with experience in the MS Office suite of software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher and PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated commitment to Work Health and Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity and Cultural Diversity principles.
• Current Working with Children Check.

• 3 days per week, 2-year Fixed Term Contract.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Salary and Conditions will be in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award with an appointment at a salary in the range of $1,615.14 to $1,871.39 per week full time equivalent (dependent upon skills and experience).
• Partner with an organisation that is taking steps in all areas to reduce our carbon emissions and be an innovative and sustainable council.

It would be highly regarded if you had:

• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of relevant legislation and administration practices within Local Government.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of process improvement and sustainability principles.

Other benefits include:

• Annual salary reviews
• Superannuation
• Education and training support
• Flexible work hours
• Attractive salary packaging scheme.
• Employee Assistance Program (4 sessions per year)
• Fitness Passport
• Health and Wellbeing days

Location: This position is primarily based at our Mullumbimby Office; however Council can require you to work from other work sites as required for operational reasons.

Contact: Manager Social and Cultural Planning: Geeta Cheema or our Community Facilities Coordinator: James a'Court

Closing date: 10am (NSW time), Tuesday 11 November. Late applications will not be permitted. Interviews to occur on Tuesday 18 November.

We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of our community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to explore new ways of working – including part-time, job-share or working from different locations. Everyone can ask about it.

We strongly encourage applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need an adjustment during the recruitment process, please call or email the contact person listed above, and also advise us of your preferred method of communication.

• Reference Checks: Referees will preferably be your current or most recent supervisor and must be able to comment directly on your abilities in a work situation. If you have any objection to this action, your concerns should be raised in your application and be discussed with the Selection Panel.
• Functional Health Assessment:If applicable, the functional health assessment evaluates your physical and functional capacity against the physical demands necessary to safely perform the job for which you have applied. Applicable roles are subject to drug and alcohol testing, please note these tests will potentially require the provision of a urine sample, and a positive test will preclude a candidate from employment with Council at that time.
• Background Screening:Background checks verify the information you have provided in your application, and where applicable, also check for relevant criminal history. Checks may also include, for example, a confirmation of your employment history, qualifications/tickets and working with children clearance.