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Town Planning career market update with Emma Murphy
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Town Planning career market update with Emma Murphy
over 2 years ago By Emma Murphy
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
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Emma Murphy's Job
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Envirornmental Compliance Officer
Regional VICPublic Sector People are currently recruiting an Environmental Compliance Officer for a large regional council about 1hr 30 mins from Melbourne CBD. The Environmental Compliance officer involves the development, implementation and management of compliance controls for Council’s Environmental Services Unit. This role relates to environmental and planning compliance which includes, landfills and transfer stations. You will be providing advice to the Landfill Manager in relation to impacts to changes and environmental regulations and best practice. This is a site based role, so you will be in the office or on site most days, with some time working from home. This role is covering a period of long service leave for three months, ideal start date would be the first week of February to allow for a handover period. Selection Criteria Tertiary qualifications in compliance, environmental science or management or related field, with some relevant experience, or lesser formal qualifications with substantial relevant experience in specialist area. Relevant work experience in the waste management / environmental industry is highly desirable. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear advice in a courteous and efficient manner, about the matters which the officer is responsible for. Please apply using the relevant link with an updated resume. For a confidential discussion regarding this role, contact Emma Murphy at PSP on 03 8533 3111.
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Entry level Urban planner
MelbournePublic Sector People are currently recruiting a Band 5 planner for one of the progressive Inner North councils. This is a contract role for an initial three months but extremely likely to be extended. This is an entry level position for a recent Urban planning graduate, lots of opportunity to gain support and training while building experience within Local Government. You will be mainly providing customer service over the phone and responding to written enquiries, there will also be some counter duty requirements. This council are working on a hybrid model with a mixture of office and working from home arrangements, you will be required to spend some time in the office each week. This is a council that a lot of planners want to have on their CV. Great opportunity to get a foot in with a busy council. 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. Good attitude and use of initiative. Previous Urban planning experience will be a bonus. Benefits Include: Three-month contract, with opportunity for this to be extended. Get a foot in the door with a progressive council in Melbourne’s Inner North. Start immediately. 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.
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Urban planner
MelbournePSP are working with a metro council on the recruitment of a Band 5 or 6 Statutory planner for a contract position. Covering a period of long service leave, you will be joining a large, cohesive planning team who pride themselves on achieving the best planning outcomes for the community and its residents. A truly diverse and exciting place to work as a statutory planner. You will have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of applications including residential, subdivision, commercial and industrial developments. This council have a stable planning team, with a very friendly and supportive culture. You will be working a hybrid model of time spent in both office and working from home. Your Main Responsibilities will include: Assessment of town planning applications Providing quality advice and guidance to applicants and the community Liaising with internal and external stakeholders with an interest in the planning process Benefits include: Secure work to start in January. $50 - $55 p/h + super Contract with a council with plenty of work, likely for role to be extended. Please apply with your current resume. For a confidential discussion regarding this position and other opportunities within Metropolitan and Regional Victoria, please contact Emma Murphy at PSP (03) 8535 3111.