Senior Planning Officer

• 9-day fortnight or 19-day month options
• Hybrid working arrangements
• 12-month fixed-term role

About the City of Ballarat

The City of Ballarat, 100km west of Melbourne’s CBD, is one of Australia’s largest inland regional cities. Ballarat is uniquely located with easy access to Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo.

The City of Ballarat has a growing economy that attracts and retains innovative businesses, employs a highly skilled workforce and attracts new residents whilst promoting the city’s unique heritage and vibrant cultural life. Ballarat has all the services, retail and entertainment opportunities you'd expect to find in a metropolitan setting but with a relaxed country attitude. With affordable housing at a fraction of Melbourne prices and a progressive leadership team, now is a great time to join the City of Ballarat.

The role

Reporting to the Manager, this role forms a key part of the Statutory Planning Team. This fixed-term role is intended to not only manage a variety of challenging planning permit applications, but also focus on certain aspects of the assessment process in response to specific demands at certain points in time. This might include report writing cover across the team. The Senior Planner is also responsible for identifying process improvement opportunities and is expected to be an active participant in team meetings and contribute to discussions regarding technical and team matters, as well as provide informal guidance to more junior members of staff.

About you

The City of Ballarat is seeking an experienced and motivated technical professional. You will ideally have rural/regional experience and an understanding of the suite of planning controls typical of such environments. You should also bring a positive attitude and have a desire to coach more inexperienced officers. Whilst previous experience in a similar level position is desired, this is not essential. Candidates will be judged as much upon fit and attitude as their technical capabilities.

Key Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualification in town planning or closely related discipline and several years’ experience working in a statutory planning environment, preferably in the state or local government sector or alternate formal qualification and substantial experience in a town planning environment, preferably in the state or local government sector;
• Advanced understanding of the Victorian planning system, including the Planning and Environment Act 1987and the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPs);
• Understanding of heritage, urban design and environmental planning principles and their relationship to statutory planning processes;
• Experience in advocating at, or briefing representatives for, VCAT or similar legal forums;
• Developed written skills, particularly report writing and preparation of external correspondence;
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to mediate outcomes;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage own time and workload to ensure that the Statutory Planning team meets its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); and Demonstrated ability in developing and implementing process improvement initiatives.

To apply

This position closes 10 May 2026 Please ensure that you provide a cover letter, current resume, address the key selection criteria as well as complete an application cover sheet.

Contact

For any additional questions, please contact Connor Perrott, Manager Statutory Planning on 0419 108 257.

At the City of Ballarat, we celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive, flexible workplace where everyone feels welcome. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. If you need any support during the recruitment process, reach out to us at peopleandculture@ballarat.vic.gov.au

We’re proud to be a child-safe organisation, committed to protecting children and young people from harm. Our culture promotes their safety and wellbeing, and we require all successful candidates to undergo relevant screening, including a Working with Children Check and criminal history check.