- Competitive annual salary commencing at $111,424, plus up to 13% superannuation
- Great range of additional benefits, including health & wellness programs, salary sacrifice options, salary packaging arrangements and a fortnightly RDO.
About the Region
Gympie is at the heart of a rapidly expanding region which stretches from rural valleys in our western reaches to the Cooloola Coast. Bordering Noosa and Fraser Coast Local Government areas, we are uniquely positioned to grow whilst still retaining our country charm. Our borders with North and South Burnett, and the Somerset Local Government areas link with our rural lifestyle, where you can enjoy our picturesque smaller townships, or our abundant local history. Our local festivals such as the Gympie Music Muster are renowned both nationally and internationally.
For someone seeking a high quality of life, with pristine natural areas and spectacular beaches, all within reach of Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, we are offering this unique opportunity.
Coordinator Community Development and Engagement
Remuneration: Annual salary commencing at $111,424, plus up to 13% superannuation
Closing Date: Sunday 6th July 2025 at 11.00pm AEST
No late applications will be accepted. Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered. Unsolicited applications from agencies will not be considered.
What we are looking for:
A highly motivated Community Development and Engagement Specialist with demonstrated expertise in working together with the community, government and not for profit sectors to increase community participation, social well-being and community cohesion. The position plays a pivotal role in Council’s community engagement initiatives, including targeted engagement with regional townships and communities of interest/specific demographics.
The role leads the Community Development and Engagement Team providing expert technical and strategic advice, advocacy, and the coordination and delivery of a range of quality initiatives regarding:
- Community Planning
- Community Development
- Community Engagement
- Council’s Grants Program
- Other priorities as identified by Council and the Executive Team
Essential Knowledge & Skills:
- Bachelor degree qualification in, Community Development, Social Sciences, Social Policy and Planning or other related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Demonstrated substantial experience in community development practice and a commitment to community development principles.
- Demonstrated experience in establishing strong and effective partnerships with community groups, service providers and other key stakeholders to develop responses to community issues and opportunities.
- Demonstrated group or meeting facilitation skills, including conflict management and negotiation.
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of contemporary community engagement techniques.
- Demonstrated leadership experience and adept at developing teams to successfully deliver outcomes and building a professional and positive team culture.
- Proven ability to provide technical and policy advice at all levels of the organisation.
- Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to develop plans, co-ordinate actions, gain cooperation and deliver outcomes.
- Strong time management, work prioritisation, organisational skills and the ability to both manage team deliverables and work independently to deliver high standard outputs and outcomes that benefit the community.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence, advocate, communicate persuasively, engage in active listening, build effective relationships, foster collaboration, co-operation and facilitate strengths-based community development processes.
- Strong business acumen and written communication skills with the ability to prepare professional communication such as reports, presentations, briefings, and planning documents, with demonstrated ability to effectively operate relevant business technologies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and initiate sustainable community focused solutions.
- Knowledge of financial management and budgeting procedures.
- Queensland ‘C’ Class driver’s licence that is current and maintained.
Essential Requirements:
Community Capacity Building, Development and Advocacy
- Lead the team to work together with the community to facilitate, coordinate, co-design and implement community development initiatives which contribute to building a strong community, enhancing use of community facilities and services and improving social outcomes for residents of the Gympie region.
- Provide expert policy and planning advice, as well as strategic advocacy, on current and emerging community needs, priorities, aspirations and opportunities.
- Ensure community development responses are aligned with Council’s strategic objectives and budget and are underpinned by community need, best practice principles and relevant legislation.
- Lead the team in building community capacity, cohesion and improved social outcomes through information sharing, skills development, fostering relationships and networks and the empowerment of people within and across communities (whether they are communities of locality, identity or interest).
- Maximise program outcomes and any external funding opportunities through evidenced based planning and evaluation, with an emphasis on improving community sustainability and self-sufficiency.
- Manage the effective delivery of a transparent and responsive Grants program for Council.
- Contribute support and coordination for Disaster Management and Community Recovery activity as required.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
- Coordinate and facilitate best practice community engagement in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy.
- Lead the promotion and improvement of community engagement practice across the organisation to enable stakeholders to inform Council strategy, policy, programs and projects.
- Liaise effectively, professionally and positively with members of the community, Council colleagues, Councillors, external contractors/suppliers to ensure the timely delivery of quality projects/programs/services.
- Develop effective partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders, networks, public institutions, State and Federal Agencies and philanthropic organisations to progress Council’s objectives and values.
Team Coordination
- Provide leadership to nurture a team culture that values people working together; encourages consultation, accompaniment and empowerment; fosters learning and development.
- Establish and monitor the team’s work plan and budget throughout the year to ensure timely and effective delivery of projects, programs and services.
- Proactively identify and seek external grant funding to support team programs and projects.
- Effectively manage the team’s human resources, including change management, mentoring, recruitment, training and professional development for staff to build capability and ensure a positive, collaborative and supportive team culture.
- Participate in the development of a healthy and safe workplace: embracing safety and wellbeing initiatives, information and training, identifying and reporting hazards and incorporating safety into all daily activities.
- Contribute to the development of, and adherence with, corporate plans and strategies.
- Such other relevant duties as required from time to time which would generally fall within the scope of this position.
Who to Contact
For information regarding the requirements of this role, please contact Council's Manager Community & Commercial, Andree Stark on 0429 391 61 or via email [email protected]
For assistance lodging your application using Council's online system, please contact Council's Officer Recruitment, Sue Rossi on 07-5481 0971 or email [email protected]
What we offer?
- Nine-day fortnight & flexible work hours
- Access to employee health and well-being programs
- Fitness Passport: work out at over 25 local gyms for you and your family at a subsidised rate
- Long service leave after seven years
- Generous superannuation scheme of up to 13 per cent
- Access to salary sacrificing and salary packaging arrangements
- Employee assistance program offering free confidential counselling services for employees and their families.
Our Values
- Accountability
- Communication
- Customer Service Focused
- Integrity
- Teamwork and Collaboration
For a full explanation of our values please click here. You will be assessed on your understanding of these values and how you have applied values such as these in your previous employment.
Our Process
Successful applicants will be required to undertake various checks such as skills, qualifications, reference, medical and national police.
Keen to apply? - Simply follow the instructions below:
1) Download and review the above
2) Complete the information below as requested using your personal email.
3) Click 'APPLY'
4) Attach your resume, covering letter and a single document containing copies of your qualifications, licences or tickets as applicable.
5) Click 'NEXT' and 'CONFIRM'
Please note before continuing: It is advisable that you prepare your responses in a separate word or text document, saving your work as you go and that you then copy and paste this prepared information in the form before completing the application process. Please keep your responses to a maximum 300 words for each question.
Applications close on Sunday 6th July 2025 at 11.00pm AEST. No late applications will be accepted. Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered.
Gympie Regional Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our people represent the community which we service. We invite all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations People, and people from diverse social, cultural and gender backgrounds.
