About usWe 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 groupThe Planning and Land Services Group in the Department brings together statutory planning, building policy, land, property, and heritage capability to deliver statewide services. The Group administers statutory planning responsibilities including improvements to planning system and provisions, assessing planning scheme amendments and environmental assessments and planning permits.
The State Planning Division provides development of planning policy, administration of statutory planning processes relating to planning scheme amendments, planning permit applications, and environmental impact assessments including major infrastructure project assessments and approvals and implementation of planning reform.
About the role
*This is a fixed term position until 31st December 2026*
The Senior Planner delivers expert planning assessments and advice for complex, large-scale energy infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on statutory requirements under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Victoria Planning Provisions. The role leads the assessment of planning permits and scheme amendments, prepares high-quality reports and briefs for the Minister for Planning, and manages negotiations with applicants and key stakeholders.
Position Accountabilities: – Manage statutory approvals and projects in relation to the assessment of land use and development applications and other requirements of planning legislation and instruments.
– Provide authoritative, timely and accurate advice to the Minister for Planning, managers and executive, local government and other stakeholders on planning issues, opportunities and solutions, and prepare (and review) planning assessment reports, briefs and correspondence
– Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
– Maximise resources and workflow on team and individual performance including mentoring, coaching and guiding team members, where appropriate.
– Represent the Energy Assessment Branch and Department at high level working groups, meetings, conferences and forums to ensure department interests are effectively represented.
Key Selection Criteria
Success in this role requires a senior planning professional who communicates with credibility and clarity, confidently navigating complex, sensitive issues to support informed decision-making. The role demands strong critical thinking to deliver practical solutions and embed improvements that achieve sustainable business outcomes. Effective performance is underpinned by the ability to influence and build support across stakeholders while maintaining a strong customer focus that manages risk and delivers long-term value.
To access the Position Description, please click
here.
Personal Attributes- Flexibility and Adaptability: Accepts and responds quickly to changed priorities.
- Working Collaboratively: Build a supportive and cooperative team environment.
- Resilience: Provide feedback, share information to respond to issues.
Qualifications and experience - A relevant tertiary qualification and significant experience in urban planning.
- Demonstrated experience in statutory planning permit, planning scheme amendments and related processes.
- Demonstrated experience in assessing and managing complex and/or strategically significant development proposals within the state or local government context.
Culture ValueWe 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 offerWorking 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 applyClick the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.
Applications close at
11.59pm on Thursday, 22nd January 2026.
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
Michael Juttner, Manager of Energy Assessment at [email protected].
Important Information:– If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email. We're here to support you.