Blacktown City Council

Senior Town Planner (Gateway)

Blacktown City is a growing and thriving city, located halfway between Sydney City and the Blue Mountains. With 435,000 residents, we are the largest and most diverse city in NSW, spread across 54 suburbs. Blacktown City is vibrant, dynamic and multicultural, home to a large First Nations community, and more than 180 different birthplaces and languages.

With $22.6 billion regional economy, Blacktown City is also home to 30,000 businesses. Working at Blacktown City Council provides widespread, exciting professional opportunities. Our Council is leading the transformation of Blacktown City and Western Sydney. We are implementing a vision for a modern city, full of opportunity for our residents and businesses.

Our Council is led by highly skilled and experienced professionals, working with talented and passionate teams across a diverse range of business units. We are delivering high quality, customer-focused services, experiences, and facilities, and leading a program of strategic planning, activity and investment.

Blacktown City Council strives to be an inclusive workplace for all people. We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans and people with disabilities.

About the opportunity

An opportunity exists for an experienced Senior Town Planner (Gateway) who is seeking a varied role in Council's Development Assessment unit working 2 days per week (Thursday and Friday) on a term contract, part-time basis for up to 12 months.

You will have experience in the assessment of development applications of varying complexity and typology, and you will be required to:

• undertake the efficient processing of planning enquiries by responding to emails and phone enquiries, and by face to face when on the duty roster 
• attend and assist in pre-lodgement meetings and preparation of minutes
• attend clearing house meetings and check incoming applications for completeness and to be on the duty roster for planning enquiries
• undertake, if required, the efficient processing of development applications at any stage and other planning tasks in the Gateway or assessment team whilst ensuring compliance with Council's statutory responsibilities, policies and procedures. 

Qualifications and experience

Essential:

• Tertiary qualification (Degree or Associate Diploma) in Planning
• Relevant experience in duty planning enquiries
• Experience in managing the needs of multiple stakeholders
• Experience in DA assessment and identification of unresolved Planning matters
• Current class C driver’s licence.

Desirable:

• Member of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
• Significant experience in the delivery of development related services
• Relevant experience and appropriate qualifications in accordance with requirements outlined in the position description
• Knowledge of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, and the DPI White Paper
• Understanding of and experience in local government, planning and the development assessment process
• Excellent working knowledge of both Council and State Planning Controls that affect the City
• Project management and case management skills
• High level customer service and communication (oral and written) skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills (includes problem solving); innovation; and people management skills
• Computer literate
• Availability to work flexible working hours
• Ability to work in a team environment.

Remuneration and benefits

The salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with Blacktown City Council’s Enterprise Agreement.

• Entry level for this position starts at $2,092.02 per week, pro-rata
• 14-hour working week 
• Car allowance
• Employee benefits such as leave entitlements (where applicable), 11.5% employer contribution payable to your nominated superannuation fund, Fitness Passport, gym membership discounts, and social clubs.

Our commitment to safety

Blacktown City Council is committed to safety. We have introduced alcohol and other drug testing at the pre-employment phase, and via a series of random and cause testing.

We are a child safe organisation that supports and promotes the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children.

Position description 

Click here to view or download the position description.

  Apply now using our fast and easy-to-use online application process:

1. Have your resume and any other relevant documentation ready to attach. 
2. Have a personal email address ready to use and complete your application without 'logging out' of the system.
3. Review the questions and decide on your responses before commencing your application.

   Best of luck.

Closing date:           Friday 28 March 2025, 11.59 pm    

Contact officer:       Pauline Daw on 0421 619 352 

Internal ref:              BCC1640 - term contract, part-time for up to 12 months