Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $113,022 - $136,747
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Planning
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: 7572
About us
We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians.
Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all.
We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.
About the group
Planning and Land Services delivers responsive, customer focussed, high quality planning, land administration and property services that support thriving places and connected communities.
About the role
This is a Full TIME FIXED TERM position until 30/05/2026
The Senior Planner is responsible for statutory assessment of planning permit applications and planning scheme amendments where the Minister for Planning is the responsible authority. The Senior Planner has a key role in providing advice and briefings on a wide range of planning matters that occur within local government areas, including providing responses to correspondence received from the general community. The position has a lead role in mineral extraction and quarry assessment matters, in addition to the broader needs of the unit. Staff regularly meet with local government, state agencies and land developers to provide advice on land development matters. The position requires a motivated individual with demonstrated experience in statutory planning, project delivery, stakeholder management and governance in the public or private sectors.
We are seeking a Senior Planner who can represent the department in high-level forums, provides strategic advice to senior management, and manages complex stakeholder relationships to influence outcomes on sensitive matters. The position requires strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to deliver customer-focused services, manage difficult conversations, and contribute to a collaborative and culturally safe workplace.
To access the Position Description, please click here
Position accountabilities
- Provide statutory planning services to deliver the Minister for Planning’s responsibilities in the assessment of planning permit applications, amendments to permits, planning scheme amendments and other requirements of planning legislation and instruments. This includes providing authoritative, timely and accurate advice to the Minister, managers and executive, local government and other stakeholders on planning issues, opportunities and solutions.
- Prepare (and review) planning assessment reports, briefs and correspondence on planning permit issues that demonstrate a detailed understanding of the policy, statutory and political context.
- Pro-actively case manage statutory approvals and projects to meet required timelines.- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, gain cooperation, influence views and negotiate for the department on complex, contentious and sensitive matters within established parameters.
- Contribute statutory planning expertise to major projects and other planning initiatives or programs, as required.
- Provide assessment and advice on mineral extraction and quarry proposals.
- Provide high level assistance and advice to the Manager, Development Assessment to ensure effective management of resources and workflow to maximise team and individual performance.
- Mentor, coach and provide guidance to team members, where appropriate.
Qualifications and experience
Culture Value
We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.
What we offer
Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.
For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.
Pre-employment checks and employment conditions
All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.
Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.
Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.
How to apply
Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.
If have any issues, click here for Quick Reference Guide on how to apply.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Tuesday, the 2nd of September 2025.
Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.
For further information about the role, please contact Bart Gane, Manager Development Assessment via [email protected].
Important Information: