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FIND A JOB IN YOUR discipline
Emma Murphy, our resident Public Sector People Town Planning Recruitment Consultant, shares her views on the current Town Planning talent market.
Key market drivers.
In the new financial year we’ve seen an increase in demand for contract staff, due to new council budgets and covering for staff taking periods of leave. Council restructuring and staff movements are also affecting talent flows.
This is very positive considering at the start of the calendar year we noticed a decrease in planning permit activity. Some councils commented that it was the lowest number of applications they had seen since 2014.
There's continued demand in the growth area councils such as Wyndham, Melton, Hume, Whittlesea, Casey & Cardinia. The demand for ‘growth area’ experience is increasing as it's a unique form of town planning requiring a unique skillset. These areas are the focus of new residential development along with relevant facilities such as commercial districts, schools and other community amenities and services.
There's a demand for Contract Planners in Regional Victoria, due to covering staff shortages and the increased development in those areas.
What candidates need to know.
Contract Planners are typically being employed for 6 months per contract in regional areas and in metro councils this has been around 3-6 months. Regional councils are typically offer more flexibility and generous hourly rates to attract contract staff.
Contract staff are particularly interested in roles that can offer a varied workload, flexible working hours, an opportunity to work remotely and some security, either in the form of a longer term contract or financially.
Contract roles are a great foot in the door to those who are new to the industry, whether interstate, international or new to the profession. If there is a genuine opportunity to transition into a permanent role, even better to attract contract staff.
Contract roles allow planners to dip their toes in the water of the Public Sector, if they are not sure which direction they would like to take in their career. It allows for flexibility, if someone cannot commit to a permanent role due to upcoming travels or study/family commitments. It also allows planners to get exposure to different types of applications in various councils and broaden their experience.
More about Emma:
Emma hails from the Emerald Isle and recruited for a large global recruiter before she found her new home here in Melbourne. She spends her free time exploring all the best spots regional Victoria has to offer, with the
occasional hike and well-earned brunch thrown in!
emma@publicsectorpeople.com.au
03 8535 3100
PSP are working with a council in the inner suburbs of Melbourne on the recruitment of a Senior Urban Designer. You will be leading a shopping centre improvement program to deliver capital works projects, including all aspects of engagement, consultation, design, documentation and handover for implementation by the projects team. This is a Band 6 role, seeking an immediate start. Will consider applicants from a UD or LA background from public or private sector. Requirements include: Tertiary qualification in landscape architecture, or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience in all facets of the urban and landscape design, documentation and construction and experience in the coordination of projects, and the engagement and supervision of consultants and minor contractors. Highly developed skills in complex site analysis, landscape architecture for communities, placemaking and community consultation. Benefits include: Work in a prestigious inner metro council. Attractive hourly rate. Flexible working hours, working from home. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at PSP on (03) 8535 3111. Alternatively, please e-mail your current resume in Word format using the link below.
Public Sector People are working with a regional council on the recruitment of a Band 6 Planning Officer for a Fixed Term appointment of six months. Due to an increased volume of work, you will be assessing a range of applications, particularly with a rural focus. Joining a large regional council, this is a great opportunity for an experienced Band 5 planner to step up into a Band 6 position. The role will be WFH initially with Covid restrictions and there will be a phased return into the office. This is a Band 6 role, salary starting at $85,320.67 + super. We are open to applicants who are seeking full time or part-time hours. Requirements include: A Town Planning degree or similar Relevant experience in planning, assessing complex development applications and preparing and presenting professional reports within Victoria. Knowledge of relevant planning Acts and statutory planning processes. Previous public sector experience advantageous Benefits include: Full time Fixed term – 6 months $85,320.67 + Super Opportunity for a Band 5 to step into a Band 6 role Start ASAP! For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other planning opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at PSP on (03) 8535 3111. Alternatively, please e-mail your current resume in Word format using the link below.
Public Sector People are working with a regional council who are seeking a Senior Statutory planner for a six month contract role. You will join a large planning team covering a large range of applications, residential, industrial, heritage, native vegetation and bushfire management overlays. The workload has been largely unaffected by Covid and this is a busy council. You will be provided with laptop and equipment to get set up working from home but will be required to do one or two days in the office. Part-time hours will be considered. Requirements include: Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Planning or related discipline. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Local Government experience within Victoria, ideally with exposure to heritage and/or growth area planning. Benefits include: Competitive hourly rate on offer. Six month contract. Varied workload with some interesting applications to sink your teeth into. Working from home/working from office balance. Can offer full-time or part-time. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other planning opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at Public Sector People on (03) 8535 3111. Alternatively, please e-mail your current resume in Word format using the link below.
Public Sector People are working with a South East council in metro Melbourne who are seeking a Senior Landscape Officer on a contract basis. You will be assessing and approving large landscape detail design and construction packages. You will be working from initially and likely continue to work from home for majority of the contract due to Covid capacity restrictions. This is a Band 6 role, paying between $40 - $55 p/h + super, depending on experience. Requirements: Knowledge and experience in assessing and approving landscape detail design documentation packages Experience and understanding of public realm landscape design Qualifications in Landscape Architecture, or equivalent. National Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check to be undertaken if successful in role. Apply for this role using the relevant links, using an updated copy of your CV. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other planning opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at Public Sector People on (03) 8535 3111.
Public Sector People are working with a regional council on the recruitment of a Strategic Planning Coordinator role. This is a fixed term contract for a period of six months. Leading a team of three strategic planners, you will mentor a team responsible for guiding the development and implementation of Council policy and action in respect to a wide range of land use and strategic planning matters. This is an opportunity for someone in a principal role ready to step into a coordinator role, or for someone who is relocating to Melbourne and seeking a senior level position in a local council. This is a Band 7 role and the salary is $92K – 102K + super. Requirements include: Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Planning or related discipline. At least five years’ experience within Urban Planning or a related field. The successful candidate will need to undergo a police check and a Working With Children’s check. Benefits include: Take the next step in your Planning Career! Work within a very busy regional council. Flexible working hours. Six month fixed term contract. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at Public Sector People on (03) 8535 3111. Alternatively, please e-mail your current resume in Word format using the link below.
PSP is currently seeking a Project Landscape Architect for a three month contract role with a NFP. This organisation has an increased volume of projects and there is plenty of scope within this role. You will be responsible preparing design development and contract documentation of various grave infrastructure projects. The contract documentation will be suitable for tendering to an open market. In addition, you will be required to liaise with associated internal departments to ensure the delivery of the project is aligned with our project management methodology. This is suited to an LA with 5+ years’ experience. The role requires both autonomy and initiative to prepare comprehensive tender construction documentation packages. The role will likely be a mix of working from home and office contact 1-2 days per week at the office. Requirements include: A tertiary qualification in Landscape Architecture or other associated profession is preferred. Highly skilled in AutoCAD and assembling design documentation packages for tender purposes. Able to critique design engineering and functionality. Victorian Drivers Licence Benefits include: Secure three-month contract. Supply of IT hardware, support and other requirements to happily enable proficiency. Add to your portfolio and experience with an organisation that covers a wide variety of landscape types and conditions. Start ASAP! Please apply using the relevant link. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at Public Sector People on (03) 8535 3111.
Public Sector People are working with a local metro council on the recruitment of a Band 5 statutory planner for a maternity leave contract. The contract is until December 2021. This council are undergoing massive growth and this is a great opportunity for a planner seeking exposure to growth area planning. You will be joining a team with an excellent culture, very friendly and supportive. This council have a strong customer service focus, so would suit a planner who knows the importance of providing a first class service to applicants and residents. You will be managing a caseload of basic applications, residential, industrial and commercial. This role is suitable for someone with at least six months local government experience. You will be continuing to work from home with one or two days in the office for the foreseeable. This is a fantastic council to join from both a cultural perspective and for career development. Requirements include: Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Planning or related discipline. Local Government experience, ideally within Victoria. Excellent customer service skills and ensure a great experience for applicants. Benefits include: Long term contract role. Excellent team culture. Working from home and Office balance. A council with diverse planning issues, not just rescode. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other planning opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at PSP on (03) 8535 3111. Alternatively, please e-mail your current resume in Word format using the link below.
Public Sector People are currently recruiting a Band 5 planner for a regional council, commuting distance from the City. This is an initial three month contract. You will be working on planning applications for assessment of medium density, rural single dwellings, rural subdivisions, commercial and industrial developments. Great opportunity to get a foot in with a busy council. To be successful you must have some Local Government experience, either from a student placement or in a professional capacity. This is an office based role, so you will need to be willing to be office based. Requirements Include: Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Planning or related discipline. Or in the process of completing a tertiary qualification. Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written. You must be available to work full time through the holiday period. Benefits Include: Three month contract, with opportunity for this to be extended. Get a foot in the door with a busy council. Immediate start. $35 - $40 p/h + super Please apply with your most recent CV. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at PSP on (03) 8535 3111.