Senior Planning and Design Officer | Full-time Temporary with a Possibility of Permanency

Closes: 01 September 2026

Classification: Administrative Services Officer Class 6
Salary: $102,657 - $116,592 plus superannuation
Position No: 47112
Directorate: City and Environment
Advertised (Gazettal date): 18 August 2026
Contact Officer: Gisela Copioli Barrera on Gisela Copioli Barrera or (02) 6207 0334

Details: The Policy, Planning and Built Environment Group is seeking applications for the position of Senior Planning and Design Officer within the Design Policy and Government Architect Team of the Building, Design and Development Branch.

The Design Policy and Government Architect team is a dynamic multi-disciplinary team responsible for development of urban design policy and design guides, delivery of urban design advice for the division’s planning projects and providing design and technology capability, including the provision and coordination of graphics, CAD (2D and 3D), mapping and GIS. The team delivers secretariat services for the National Capital Design Review Panel which provides a single city-wide design review process of development proposals across Canberra.

The role of the Senior Planning and Design Officer (as Design Review Coordinator) within the Design Policy and Government Architect will support functions that deliver secretariat and design review services to the local development industry through the National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP). This involves liaising with development industry representatives and design review panel professionals to arrange and successfully deliver design review sessions and formulate design advice that is grounded in policy knowledge and well-developed writing skills. The role will also support the ACT Government Architect, in the provision of design advice, the development of design policy and the delivery of design services.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

Highly Desirable

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in urban design, urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture or a related field; and/or
• Work experience in urban design, urban planning and planning policy reform or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in research and analysis and skills in use of design and analysis tools such as Excel, Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, and GIS.
• Experience in a program or project management role including undertaking secretariat and coordination functions.

Note: This position is available immediately on a temporary basis until 30 June 2027, with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or permanency.

Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

This position is located in a workplace designated for activity-based working (ABW). Under ABW arrangements, officers will not have a designated workstation/desk.

A merit pool will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 12 months.

How to Apply: Applications are sought from potential candidates and should include a:

• Two-page pitch addressing the Selection Criteria
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact details of at least two referees

Applications should be submitted .

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

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Note

This position is available immediately on a temporary basis until 30 June 2027, with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or permanency.