Senior Urban Planner

Job No: MER313
Location: Coburg

  • 1.0 FTE Full time maximum term role until 31 May 2026
  • Monthly RDO
  • Duration:  Fixed term until 31 May 2026
  • Salary - $97k - $105k + Super

Our organisation vision is: One team brave and diverse making a difference.

About the role 

Merri-bek continues to undergo rapid population growth, development and change. The position offers diverse planning opportunities with a variety of residential, commercial and industrial proposals ranging from small scale extensions to heritage buildings to mixed use developments. This role will suit a recent planning graduate, or a planner with some experience looking to broaden their skills in an inner metropolitan environment. 

The Merri-bek planning team has a focus on providing training and development of officers and continuously improving planning services in order to facilitate high quality, environmentally sustainable urban outcomes. The planning application process at Merri-bek is 100% digital. This offers a paperless environment and efficiencies to customers.

Skills and experience required to perform this role 

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in town planning or significant relevant experience and a tertiary qualification in a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of statutory planning and related legislation
  • Proven track record of developing and implementing customer experience (CX) programs, ideally in a local government or public sector organisation
  • Practical IT skills applicable to statutory planning processes
  • Commitment to excellence in customer service and managing stakeholder relations in a politically sensitive environment
  • Well developed conceptual and analytical skills, including problem solving skills
  • High level verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to manage time and meet deadlines
  • A current Victorian Drivers Licence

What this role can offer

  • Monthly RDO
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Extensive opportunities for career and training development
  • A real sense of work-life balance
  • Support from leadership
  • Wellness programs

For further information please contact Alex Osborne on 9350 8737.

Applications close: 11:30pm, Tuesday 19 August 2025.

Before submitting an application, please view the Position Description.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid Driver's Licence and Qualifications. 
Please have this ready when completing your application.

How to apply

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation.

Our Commitment

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.

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Privacy Acknowledgment

Merri­-bek City Council's recruitment system, medical, police check, reference checking and onboarding processes are hosted by external service providers who also recognise the importance of privacy. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge that your personal information will be hosted by these external service providers unless you request us not to do so.

Personal and or health information collected by Council is used for municipal purposes as specified in the Local Government Act 2020. The personal and or health information will be used by Council for these purposes and or related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if authorised or required by legislation. The applicant understands that the personal and or health information provided is for the above purpose and that they may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information.

Requests for access and or correction should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer via telephone on 9240 1111 or e-mail at Privacyofficer@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

Please note that the information provided as part of your application will not be accessed by anyone other than the People and Safety Branch and the hiring manager.

Acknowledgement

By submitting this application, I declare that to the best of my knowledge, the information supplied in this application (including accompanying documents) are true and correct. I understand that if any false or deliberately misleading information is given, or any relevant material withheld, my application will not be progressed, or if I am employed, my employment may be terminated at the discretion of Council. I further understand that any offer of employment is subject to all the pre-employment checks appropriate to the role being completed to the satisfaction of the Council.

Consent to Contact Referees

I understand that a representative of Merri-bek will contact me to gain my permission to contact any listed referee's before conducting a reference.

Important information

Preliminary Health Declaration

All applicants are required to complete a Preliminary Health Declaration as part of the application process. Merri-bek City Council advises that failure to disclose any pre-existing or past relevant physical restrictions, injury or condition, suffered by you which may affect your ability to fulfil inherent requirements of the position(s) applied for may result in you being disentitled to claim compensation. This is in accordance with the current Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act in respect of any further injury or illness, recurrence, exacerbation or aggravation of this injury, disease or condition.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Council requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide evidence of this as part of this application.  Please note: If you are short listed for an interview, you will be required to present your vaccination certificate for sighting.

Working With Children Checks

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and providing environments that are safe for children and young people. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and harm. If the role you are applying for requires a Working with Children Check, you will be required to upload a copy of this document as part of your application.

Qualifications/Licences

Evidence of relevant qualifications and/or licences as required for the position you are applying for will need to be uploaded as part of your application.


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