Your Opportunity

We are seeking a passionate and motivated Community Development Officer to join our dynamic team. As a key member of our organisation, you will play a vital role in driving community engagement, supporting local initiatives, and fostering positive change within the community.

 

Term:                         Temporary Part-time - till 20 April 2027

Hours of Work:         36.25 hours per fortnight

Pay Level:                 $44.76 - $47.65 per hour (Level 4), plus 12% superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading 

In accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement and the relevant Award. Pay rate dependant on relevant skills and experience. 

Employment Base:  Warwick or Stanthorpe, Queensland (will be negotiated with successful candidate) 

Applications Close: 11:59pm Tuesday 7 July 2026

 

About the Department

The Community and Customer Services Department consists of three (3) teams:

• Community Engagement
• Customer Service – Warwick and Stanthorpe
• Libraries – Warwick and Stanthorpe

The Community and Customer Service Department is responsible for planning and delivering tangible uplift in the wellbeing and liveability of the Southern Downs community and for shaping and delivering customer services that meet community current and future requirements. The Department co-creates and delivers strategies to support mutual collaboration opportunities between community groups, encourage capacity building and foster a connected and engaged community.  The Department maintains a variety of community facilities and coordinates initiatives such as civic events.

At the heart of local engagement, the Department will have a focus on building strong connections between Council and the community that promotes a sustainable Southern Downs where all residents have the opportunity to grow, learn, create, care and connect within.

 

What You Will Do

For full details of this position, please ensure you download the Position Description below.

The complete Key Responsibilities of this role can be found in the Position Description. These include (but are not limited to):  

• Engage with community organisations, government departments and not for profit organisations to research, identify, prioritise, plan and coordinate various community development initiatives, activities and events across the Southern Downs Region.
• Develop and maintain effective networks with stakeholders including Council, community organisations, service providers, funding providers, contractors and businesses, to establish partnerships in the delivery of programs, services, activities and events for the Southern Downs community.
• Develop and implement relevant Council strategies and action plans, including supporting governance structures, resourcing, reviewing and reporting of outcomes and achievements.
• Research social and community trends and needs to provide strategic advice to Council and to inform the development, implementation and review of Council’s policies.
• Provide advice and support to a range of internal and external stakeholders on matters associated with existing and emerging community issues.

 

What You Will Need

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• The legal right to live and work in Australia
• A Class C (car) licence or greater is required in this role.
• A Blue Card (Working with Children) or the ability to obtain this card is also required.
• Significant experience in liaising and engaging with the community and an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of local government as they relate to community development.
• Demonstrated experience in community planning, development and project management.
• Knowledge and understanding of current community development trends and the ability to plan for and deliver innovative projects that respond to existing and emerging issues.
• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills and the ability to operate effectively in a team environment.
• To be able to demonstrate your competence in relation to all of the Selection Criteria as detailed in the Position Description.

 

What We Offer

At Southern Downs Regional Council, we know that that our people are our strength. With this front of mind, we provide a wide range of benefits and a holistic approach to supporting our employees, including:

• Competitive wages, conditions and allowances
• Salary packaging and remote area benefits available, which can significantly increase tax savings and take-home pay
• Discounted corporate health insurance plans 
• Improved work-life balance opportunities, such as a 9-day work fortnight and consideration of other flexible work options
• Generous leave provisions including Special Family Leave, Cultural Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to a wide range of health and wellness initiatives, including free, skin checks, flu vaccinations and wellness medicals, and discounted gym memberships
• Employee Assistance Program for staff and their families (24/7 access). This service includes counselling, financial coaching, nutritional support and legal referrals, as well as access to specialised wellbeing support for LGBTIQA+ individuals, First Nations people, and individuals experiencing domestic and family violence through dedicated helpline
• Opportunities for on and off the job personal and professional development (study assistance available in accordance with policy)

To view comprehensive details of our employee value offering, please click HERE. (Note when viewing this job vacancy through SEEK.com - you will be able to access this link once by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at www.https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies)

 

Further Information

For further information about this role and working for Southern Downs Regional Council, please refer to the documents below:

(Note when viewing this job vacancy on SEEK.com - the links to information below will only be available once you click on the "Apply" button. Alternatively, you can access them via the job advertisement on our website at https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies).

• Position Description
• Join Southern Downs Regional Council (detailed employment information, including employee benefits)
• Our Values 
• Living on the Southern Downs

If you have any additional enquiries in relation to this position, please contact Bronwyn Brunton, Community Development Coordinator on 13•• ••• 372.

 

Apply Now!

At SDRC, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes. We welcome applications from qualified people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and abilities, who have applicable working rights in Australia. 

To apply for this opportunity, you will be asked to complete an online application form and provide: 

• A short written response (maximum 1-2 pages, dot points acceptable) on how your experience, abilities, and knowledge match the selection criteria of this role (as outlined in the Position Description); and
• Your current CV or Resume.

When you are ready to begin your application, please click on the "Apply" button below to be taken to our online application portal. Please ensure you provide all of the information requested and that your application is lodged by the closing date (as shown above). Should you have any difficulty lodging your application online, please contact our People & Culture team on ph 13•• ••• 372 for assistance. 

We look forward to receiving your application.

 

Southern Downs Regional Council – A Great Place to Work

What we do at SDRC is more than just a job to us. Whether it’s maintaining our clean water supply, keeping our parks and gardens beautiful, servicing our plant and vehicles, providing contemporary library services, responding to natural disasters or showcasing our region’s immense natural beauty and economic strength, every Council employee strives to make a real difference for our local community.

Few employers combine so many diverse disciplines (eg engineers, childcare workers, trades such as mechanics and plumbers, safety specialists, project managers, plant operators, finance experts, IT specialists and urban planners to name a few) in one organisation. At SDRC, we work together towards the same goal. By integrating a multi-disciplined workplace with collective ideas and skillsets, we provide unique opportunities for our people to develop and grow within their chosen career.

We are passionate about aligning business, community and government to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes. We believe this is best realised when people are invested in the long-term outcomes of where they live and work. If this sounds like you too, then working in local government at SDRC may be right for you.