Band 6 - $$99,846 -$108,835 per annum (plus super)
Temporary Full Time (2 years)
About Us
Located 35km to the southeast of Melbourne, Greater Dandenong City Council covers 129 square kilometres and has a population of over 169,000 people. The central activities district is Melbourne's second largest retail and commercial centre and includes large shopping complexes at Dandenong and Keysborough as well as the highly popular Dandenong Market.
Greater Dandenong City Council is the most culturally diverse locality in Australia, with residents from over 150 different birthplaces, nearly two-thirds of whom were born overseas. Key industries include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, wholesale trade and transport.
We are a progressive organisation of exceptional character that offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment to approximately 900 employees. We recognise that our staff are vital to the delivery of excellent service to our community and the achievement of our long-term vision. We invest in the development of our people, and we strive to be a workplace that is respectful, engaged, accountable, creative and honest.
About the role
The City of Greater Dandenong provides a range of active open spaces and associated infrastructure that supports the community to participate in formal and informal sports and physical activity. The provision of these spaces provides many benefits for residents, visitors and the environment, while also encouraging social connections and helping to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of the community. The City of Greater Dandenong currently has 28 recreation reserves that accommodate 11 sports across 149 individual sports grounds. These recreation reserves contain a range of supporting infrastructure such as sports fields, sport floodlighting, changing rooms, and pavilions.
The primary purpose of this role is to:
· Prepare, develop and review Council policies, frameworks and programs that guide the strategic planning, capital investment, policy development and provision of sport, recreation facilities and services across CGD.
· Research and analyse emerging trends and issues in sport, recreation and physical activity to ensure Council’s policies and practices remain current, evidence-based and aligned with industry standards and best‑practice principles.
· Develop a Recreation Needs Assessment policy and framework to guide the strategic investment, prioritisation and development of sport and recreation infrastructure, ensuring facilities meet current and future community needs and support increased participation.
· Review and monitor existing and future master plans and strategic asset management documents relevant to Sport and Recreation to identify priority projects for future capital investment and capital works programs.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the following:
· Degree or diploma qualification in recreation planning, sport or related field with some relevant work experience. Alternatively lesser formal qualifications along with substantial relevant experience, or through substantial relevant experience in the field of specialist expertise will also be considered. Relevant experience includes working with target groups, and an understanding of strategic issues associated with the sport and leisure industry.
· Experience with the development and implementation of strategic planning and/ or policy development as they relate to sport and recreation infrastructure to address the current and future needs of council.
· Well-developed problem solving and communication skills, particularly the ability to resolve complex problems involving stakeholders.
· Demonstrated project management ability in particular with sport, recreation and physical activity projects including capital works projects, policy development and future planning..
· Experience in identifying sport, recreation and physical activity needs and implementing appropriate programs and events to address these needs, as well as funding and sponsorship opportunities.
· Demonstrated ability to engage all stakeholders and effectively work and liaise with a diverse community to build productive community partnerships.
· Excellent time management skills including ability to manage own workload and meet deadlines.
· Availability to attend club meetings, leisure contract meetings, forums and events, sometime outside working hours as required.
· Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Please ensure you address the key selection criteria outlined in the position description as part of your application.
You may be required to undertake practical testing, work preference profiling / psychometric testing, functional capacity assessment (physical) or aptitude testing.
The successful candidate will be asked to produce a clear Working with Children Check and will be asked to consent to a national police check (and where relevant an ‘international criminal history check’), subject to the operation of spent conviction laws. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
Benefits of working with us
Council believes in providing an environment where staff thrive, both in the work they do and in how they learn and develop as people and professionals.
Our workplace has an inclusive and diverse culture which encourages innovation and supports your work and life balance. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, develop and grow your career within our expanding and diverse organisation.
Our benefits include
· Competitive salary
· Salary sacrifice childcare (where available)
· Flexible working options supported including hybrid work
· Access to learning & development programs including study assistance
· Reward & recognition programs
· Health initiatives
· Access to our support and wellbeing programs
· A vibrant social club
For more information about our benefits, please visit our careers page: Working with Us
Council will consider flexible working arrangements for all positions. We embrace our diverse community and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability, and faith. Council will give due consideration to any workplace adjustments to accommodate the needs of any prospective or existing staff member.
Council is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and promoting cultural safety and wellbeing for children with zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.
If you require any access or reasonable adjustment at any point throughout the recruitment process, then please do let us know by contacting the listed Hiring Manager – your experience truly matters to us.
To apply
To apply for this position please complete the online application form including:
· A brief cover letter
· Your resume
· Response to key selection criteria
You will be required to answer selection questions as part of the application process. The selection process also includes the requirement for reference checks
Position Description: Strategic Planning and Projects Officer – Sport and Recreation – 326.8 KB
Applications close: 5pm, Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Further information: James Campbell 0481 060 131
