Employment Status: Fixed term (until 26 June 2026)
Days & Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, totalling 38 hours per week
Competitive Salary: Band 7 - $111,166.16 p.a + 11.5% superannuation
Location: Corporate Centre in Sandringham, with the flexibility to work from home 2 days per week

About Us:

We are a passionate organisation, connected in our shared goal to be ‘sector leading’ in all that we do for the community and each other. Home to over 100,000 residents, Bayside City Council's enduring purpose is building extraordinary places, thriving communities, and better futures.

Bayside Council is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing an accessible and safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, diversity, and inclusion. Our organisational strategy is made up of three priorities and we consider these in everything we do: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Customer Experience and Results Matter.

We want everyone to be as proud of what we are achieving – and excited about our future – as we are, and we are committed to working together to achieve this.

About the Role:

The Open Space and Recreation Planner will be able to provide high level strategic recommendations and advice to the organisation for how Council can continue to deliver and respond to open space and recreation matters.

The role will plan and coordinate the provision, development and management of high-quality open space and recreation infrastructure across Bayside and develop programs which enhance the management of open space.

The position will also oversee the development and implementation of strategies, plans and policies as they relate to public open space and recreation to achieve consistent, high-quality design and functional open space across Bayside.

You will be responsible for:

• Finalising Councils Open Space and Recreational Strategies, both of which are currently being drafted.
• Contributing towards Councils response to the proposed Suburban Rail Loop development in Cheltenham and other State and Federal Government Strategies that are planned for the Bayside municipality.
• This includes preparing reports regarding changes to State and Federal Government recreation policy, and associated legislation.
• Provide advice and lead the implementation of new and enhanced open space and recreational assets across Bayside.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will bring the following skills and competencies:

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field or similar discipline, along with proven relevant experience working within a government policy environment. 
• Demonstrated experience of working with a strategic mindset to achieve quality outcomes and goals in a politically sensitive environment with competing demands.
• Knowledge and experience of Local and State planning policy and context and the ability to influences outcomes that benefit Bayside Council and its residents and visitors.
• Highly developed time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including report writing, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Experience in public speaking and community consultation and engagement.
• A valid Victorian driving licence.

Mandatory pre-employment requirements:

• Be willing to undergo and complete a satisfactory criminal history check.
• Provide or obtain an employment-based Working with Children check. 

What we can offer you in return: 

• A work life/balance through flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous leave provisions, including accrued time off, parental leave, three days of wellbeing leave per year, cultural and ceremonial leave, gender affirmation leave, plus the ability to purchase up to four weeks additional leave per year.
• Dedicated Staff Wellbeing programs, events and gym membership discounts.
• Learning and development opportunities so our people can grow and thrive.
• A Parkland surrounded office that is only short 500m stroll to the beach.
• Free onsite staff parking plus hybrid vehicles that employees can book for work related travel.

If you are ready to be part of our incredible organisation, and you think this role is the right fit for you, then we look forward to finding out more about you and what you would bring to this role.

How to apply:

1. To discover more about the role and responsibilities review the Position Description
2. Provide a cover letter responding to the Key Selection Criteria and what has motivated you to apply for this role
3. Click Apply to submit your application
4. If you require reasonable adjustment at any point throughout the recruitment process, then please do let us know by contacting the listed Hiring Manager

Applications close: Wednesday 4 June, 11:55pm

Please note - Shortlisting will commence prior to the closing date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity or have any question, please contact Paul Gibbs on 03 9599 4735 or via email pgibbs@bayside.vic.gov.au  

Bayside City Council prides itself on its values of Respect Each Other, Own It, Work Together and Find Better Ways.

Bayside City Council proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging as well as all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community members with us today.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable, diverse and socially inclusive work environment. We actively encourage applicants with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this opportunity.