Full time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
SEO position with an attractive remuneration package
Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

Council’s strategic planning team sits withing the City Strategy and Economy Branch and facilitates sustainable land use and development outcomes across the city, delivering innovative and complex strategic planning projects and amendments. The Unit Manager Strategic Planning is focused on forecasting Merri-bek’s short, medium and long-term needs for planning policy and land use strategies and changes to the Merri-bek Planning Scheme, with an in depth understanding of the current and emerging challenges facing inner urban areas of metropolitan cities.

The Unit Manager Strategic Planning has a role in delivery of the Council Plan, is responsible for managing the Unit’s budget and supervises 6 staff members directly. As part of Council’s leadership network, the role is key to driving a team culture that aligns with the organisation vision.

Skills and experience require to perform the role

A relevant tertiary qualification and leadership experience in a public sector or commercial environment or substantial experience in a public sector or commercial environment at a senior level.
Experience operating within a complex political and social environment.
Experience in building intra-organisational relationships and relationships with external agencies.
A comprehensive understanding and demonstrated practice of current strategic / urban planning principles and practices including an excellent knowledge of procedures and relevant legislation / Practice Notes for processing Planning Scheme Amendments.
Experience in the drafting of best practice planning scheme provisions and advocacy submissions that are accurate, clear, concise and deliver intended sustainable land use and development outcomes.
Experience preparing, implementing and monitoring continuous improvement initiatives including developing and implementing new systems and procedures to ensure high level of performance / motivation from Unit staff and service delivery.

What the role can offer

Extensive opportunities for training & career development
Salary sacrifice options
A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
Employer-supported study assistance schemes
Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff

Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
Purchase leave
Ceremonial leave
Gender affirmation leave
Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Narelle Jennings, Manager City Strategy and Economy on 9240 1243.

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.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

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 a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience. Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on recruitment@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Merri-bek City Council is a diverse organisation, and we support people from priority groups where possible, including those with disabilities. If you require adjustments to the inherent requirements or to perform in the position, please describe.* *

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