Natural Resource Planner
- Full-time Permanent role
- $51.42 per hour + superannuation
- Great work-life balance, Flexible working options available
Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing our natural environment while shaping a growing city?
At Wodonga Council, we’re seeking a skilled Natural Resources Planner to help protect and enhance our city’s natural environment. In this role, you’ll deliver positive environmental outcomes, provide expert planning advice, and ensure development is both sustainable and aligned with community values and long-term wellbeing.
Key aspects of the role:
- Environmental advice and complianceGuide the balance between growth and conservation by assessing planning applications for compliance with native vegetation and biodiversity regulations. You’ll provide clear, practical advice to developers, applicants, and Council teams, ensuring projects move forward while protecting Wodonga’s unique environmental values.
- Policy and strategy development
Shape the city’s environmental future by leading the development and delivery of key strategies such as the Wodonga Retained Environment Network (WREN), the Hills Strategy, and a new Urban Forest Strategy. Your work will strengthen biodiversity outcomes, support climate resilience, and help embed sustainability into every layer of planning and design.
- Stakeholder engagement
Work hand-in-hand with landholders, government agencies, developers, and community groups to achieve shared environmental goals. From community education campaigns to partnerships that protect natural habitats, you’ll play a central role in building understanding, collaboration, and long-term stewardship of Wodonga’s natural resources.
- Project delivery and fundingTurn vision into action by managing on-ground environmental projects, securing external funding, and monitoring compliance with vegetation offsets and permits. From bushfire management planning to biodiversity initiatives, you’ll oversee projects that not only protect but also enhance the natural landscapes our community depends on.
What we’re looking for:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to interpret complex legislation and planning requirements to deliver balanced, practical outcomes.
- Strategic thinking and innovation – capable of developing forward-looking policies and strategies that strengthen Wodonga’s resilience and biodiversity.
- Collaboration and communication – confident engaging with developers, government agencies, and community groups, and skilled at translating technical information into clear, actionable advice.
- Project management capability – experienced in delivering environmental projects, securing funding, and ensuring compliance with permits and offsets.
- Passion for sustainability – committed to protecting and enhancing natural resources for the benefit of the community today and future generations.
Why join us?At Wodonga Council, we support your growth and wellbeing with:
- Career Development – Ongoing learning, mentoring, and progression opportunities.
- Leave Entitlements – Generous and flexible leave to support work-life balance.
- Flexible Work Options – Where applicable, enjoy adaptable hours and flexible work arrangements.
- Health & Wellbeing – Access to Fitness Passport, EAP, and other wellness initiatives.
Key Selection Criteria:
Our ideal candidate will be able to show us the following:
1. Tertiary qualifications in environment/conservation ecology/natural resources management and/or town planning at degree level or equivalent.
2. Extensive demonstrated experience in liaison with, and providing advice to Council and external bodies including landholders, community groups and representatives of Government agencies relating to Environmental/land management and development matters.
3. Demonstrated experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and handling diverse and complex environmental planning and/or consultancy projects.
4. Extensive experience working with the implementation of the Victorian Native Vegetation Planning Provisions (Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation).
- Complete our online application form
- Submit a brief cover letter adressing the key selection criteria
- Upload your current resume
Support on how to complete these tasks can be found
Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will be required to provide the following.
- A copy of a recent National Police Check (less than 3 months)
- A current driver’s licence
- Any other mandatory requirements outlined in the position description (eg. first aid, CPR, WWCC, forklift).
Enquiries:
Team Leader Strategic Planning - Hannah Neumayer – 0435 276 *** *********@wodonga.vic.gov.au
Applications close 11.59pm, Sunday 5th October 2025
This position may be filled prior to the closing date if an exceptional applicant is identified.