Principal Planner - Natural Hazards

Join City of Moreton Bay as a Principal Planner – Natural Hazards and help shape and enhance our communities for today and tomorrow.

Our challenge is to protect and enhance our lifestyle while sensitively planning for anticipated growth. Through the Corporate Plan 2022–2027, our Council has set an aspirational vision for how we want our region to look and feel 20 years from now - Our Moreton Bay. Amazing Places. Natural Spaces.  This vision is underpinned by goals to respond to natural hazard risks and climate change for a safer and resilient City

Also, Council’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2042 provides a roadmap to deliver our vision and the Our Healthy Environments goal and outcomes.

The Environment and Sustainability Policy and Planning Department sits within the Planning Directorate and takes a lead role in developing strategic environmental, sustainability and natural hazards policies, projects and plans to deliver healthy environments and sustainable, resilient outcomes. The Department focuses on meeting legislative requirements, community aspirations and Council priorities across three branches: Sustainability Planning, Natural Hazards Planning and Biodiversity Planning.

Right now, we are looking for a highly experienced and passionate Principal Planner to join our Natural Hazards Planning Branch. This is a technical leadership role where you will influence how the City of Moreton Bay prepares for and responds to natural hazards and climate change. Your work will shape policies, strategies and projects that help inform where and how the City grows, ensuring people, property and the environment are protected and resilient.

In this role, you will:

• Lead strategic planning initiatives focused on natural hazards planning and climate resilience, ensuring they align with legislative requirements and community needs.
• Deliver complex projects from risk-based land use planning to major resilience and adaptation strategies, managing specialist teams and external consultants.
• Lead the preparation and implementation of risk assessment outcomes and their integration into Council’s broader policy and planning processes.
• Provide expert technical advice to internal teams, senior leaders, and external stakeholders on natural hazard risks, resilience, risk-based land use planning and policy responses and, adaptation planning.
• Develop and integrate policy frameworks that address flood, coastal erosion, stormtide inundation and other natural hazard risks into broader planning and development assessment processes.
• Engage with the community and stakeholders, representing Council at forums and consultations to build understanding and support for resilience initiatives.
• Act as a trusted advisor and advocate, influencing decisions and shaping the city’s approach to natural hazard management and climate adaptation.

What we are looking for:

You’re a strategic thinker with a passion for building resilient communities. You thrive on solving complex challenges and can turn technical insights into practical solutions. Here’s what will help you succeed in this role:

• Expertise in natural hazards and climate resilience with experience in strategic risk-based land use planning, policy development and integrating resilience policies and strategies into broader planning frameworks.
• Knowledge of flood and coastal hazard risk assessments and resilience and adaptation planning within a strategic planning and policy context, is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead multi-disciplinary teams under tight deadlines.
• Legislative knowledge where you are confident in navigating federal, state, and local planning frameworks.
• Outstanding communication skills to simplify complex concepts, negotiate sustainable outcomes, and engage effectively with stakeholders.
• Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Climate Change Adaptation, Engineering (or similar) and a current “C” Class Driver’s Licence.

 Position Description_Principal Planner - Natural Hazards.pdf

Why City of Moreton Bay?

What you do with your life matters. It’s the same with your career.

We’re the third-largest council in Australia and one of the fastest-growing areas. As Australia’s newest city, we’re building something that’s never been done before: a new kind of city, inspired and empowered by a new kind of council.

This is your opportunity to develop skills and experience in a truly unique place, at a truly unique point in time.

At City of Moreton Bay, we’re focused on the vital work we do today. But we’re also focused on the future. On what can be – for our city, our Council and your career.

Here’s what you’ll love about a career with us:

• See it. To build a city of the future, first, you have to see it. The polycentric city we’re building will bring greater prosperity, sustainability and affordability to our city. This is your chance to contribute to something that’s never been done before.
• Shape it. You’ll get hands-on in a rewarding career, serving and strengthening our communities for today and tomorrow. Our work is diverse, interesting and it matters – and it’s yours to shape and own.
• Live it. Contribute to the city you and your family want to live in and enjoy the lifestyle you deserve. And if you don’t live here, you’ll still find pride and connection in so many ways with our successful, resilient team.

You’ll also enjoy a range of other benefits:

• Find a better work-life balance with a nine-day (72.5-hour) fortnight, plus a hybrid, flexible working environment with some work-from-home days.
• Advance your skills and career through our Study, Training And Research Scheme (STARS).
• Make your pay go further with salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation payments, smartphones and devices.
• Prioritise your health and wellbeing with discounted health insurance, free annual flu vaccinations and our Fitness Passport Program.
• Get support when you and your family need it most with our 24/7 confidential counselling service, leader support hotline and Mates in Construction program.
• Our Caboolture office has local parking on site and is close to public transport networks, making for an easy commute.

Ready for a career that matters?

Join City of Moreton Bay, and help shape our city of the future.

Click on the 'Apply Now' button below to complete your online application. Please upload a current resume that demonstrates how you meet the requirements for this role.  You will also have the option to add a cover letter should you wish.

As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be required to undergo a National Criminal History Check.

To obtain further details please contact our Careers team at [email protected]. 

For more information about City of Moreton Bay and to stay across what's happening in our city, follow us on LinkedIn.

Your Future City.
See it. Shape it. Live It.

City of Moreton Bay extends across the traditional lands of the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, and Turrbal peoples, and we acknowledge and pay respects to our Traditional Custodians. We believe diversity of thought, background and experience creates better outcomes for our people and communities, and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.