Planning Officer

An exciting full time and ongoing opportunity has become available within the Principal Planning Team of the Department of Education, sitting within the Infrastructure and Planning branch, this critical role will support and contribute to the team's core function - planning for future government school infrastructure needs.

This is a full-time ongoing role, based in Melbourne

This innovative and often-fast paced small team provides high quality strategic and statutory planning advice to all areas of government, as required. We engage with planning authorities to represent the interest of the Department of Education to ensure that future communities have access to government educational services. We also support government processes and decision making by providing high quality advice and timely responses to government queries and cabinet processes.

The Infrastructure and Planning Branch prides itself on its positive culture and collaborative working environment, scoring exceptionally high in annual staff satisfaction surveys. The planning team has a strong focus on learning and development and capability building within the team. We offer a flexible working environment, in accordance with Victorian Public Service and Department

Key responsibilities of this role are to support and contribute to the Infrastructure and Planning branch program, including:

• Providing advice on urban planning matters that impact the Department of Education (department), particularly strategic planning for future housing and population growth.
• Undertaking high quality planning, resource and infrastructure analysis relating to departmental resource policy and service delivery, particularly the provision of new schools and early childhood learning facilities.
• Supporting government processes and decision making by providing high quality and timely responses to government queries and cabinet processes.
• Effective communication with stakeholders, including responsiveness, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders, both internal and external to the department.
• The development of written and other communications collateral to support the implementation of programs and processes as required, including assessment reports, briefs, and correspondence.
• Provide administrative support to the team as required.
• Prepare reporting on KPI's, program updates, briefings and other reporting as required.
• Support the team and Branch as required.

The successful applicant will have a good understanding of the Victorian land use planning system, ideally with a focus on strategic planning processes. They will require excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders. Experience in or understanding of community infrastructure planning will be highly regarded. A tertiary qualification in a relevant field, including Planning, Social Science, Policy or Law, is required.

Candidates should provide a short cover letter (no more than 2 pages) addressing the Key Selection Criteria, as well as a copy of their CV.

For more details regarding this position please see attached position descriptions.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Applications close 11:59pm on Thursday 10 April 2025.