URBAN FOREST POLICY OFFICER

Best suited for: Australian citizens, Permanent Residents, New Zealand citizens, Subclass 485/491/191 visa holders holders seeking local government career experience in a regional Queensland city of Tawoomba nicknamed "The Garden City," famous for its annual Carnival of Flowers, parks, and panoramic mountain views.

About This Opportunity

Entering an environmental policy, asset protection, and public infrastructure planning pathway within local government offers an exceptional environment for dedicated professionals to secure high-impact environmental tenure in Australia. Based in the expansive, rapidly growing Darling Downs region of Queensland, this permanent full-time position provides a powerful platform to manage urban forestry frameworks, evaluate complex vegetation master plans, and direct strategic green infrastructure protection. It represents an ideal placement for an ambitious environmental planner, arboricultural consultant, or urban designer looking to build long-term public sector prestige while enjoying a premium regional lifestyle.

Job Summary

Toowoomba Regional Council is seeking a highly motivated, strategic, and technically proficient Urban Forest Policy Officer to join their Parks & Recreation Services Branch at the Charlton Principal Depot. Operating under limited direction, this core regulatory and planning role is responsible for driving the development, implementation, and ongoing governance of Council policies and green infrastructure initiatives across a vast 7,000-hectare public park, sports facility, and bushland network. The successful candidate will provide authoritative technical guidance on development applications, lead complex planning proposals, and foster critical integration across internal asset, environment, and development teams.

• Employer Name: Toowoomba Regional Council
• Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
• Desirable Education Level: Diploma in Arboriculture (mandatory) or any related qualifications in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or an equivalent combination of extensive regulatory experience
• Work Arrangement: On-site (with flexible workspace parameters)
• Employment Location: 24 Nass Rd, Charlton QLD 4350, Australia (Charlton Principal Depot)
• Estimated Salary: AUD $106,377.46 – $113,406.62 Gross per Annum (Plus an extra 17.5% annual leave loading, up to 12.65% employer superannuation matching, and salary sacrificing benefits)
• Application Deadline: 29 June 2026

Who This Role May Suit

• Experienced environmental scientists, senior arborists, or urban forestry policy writers eager to transition their technical vegetation management skills into a prominent, secure municipal governance track.
• Onshore temporary visa holders (Subclasses 485, 491, or 191) focused on anchoring a verified, high-tier environmental policy or asset strategy career history within regional Queensland.
• Self-directed, collaborative policy analysts who excel at navigating complex statutory frameworks, assessing developer master plans, and providing high-level technical consultation.
• Onshore applicants possessing immediate, unrestricted, and fully valid legal authorization to operate within the domestic Australian labor sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end management, development, and execution of Council's policies, long-term strategies, and localized urban forestry initiatives.
• Provide high-level, authoritative strategic and technical advice on complex green infrastructure challenges, vegetation protection guidelines, and urban greening models.
• Review and evaluate environmental components of development applications, regional planning proposals, and municipal infrastructure networks.
• Liaise extensively and build productive partnerships with internal asset managers, town planners, external developers, community advocacy groups, and state authorities.
• Champion the sustainable protection and enhancement of heritage-listed public spaces, urban tree canopies, and regional bushland reserve assets.
• Operate autonomously under limited supervision, generating comprehensive corporate briefings, policy logs, and environmental reports to corporate standards.

Skills & Requirements

• Proven experience in urban forestry management, environmental policy writing, or statutory planning within an Australian local or state government context.
• Comprehensive knowledge of modern vegetation management practices, asset preservation techniques, and the economic value of municipal green infrastructure.
• Refined, sophisticated interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a demonstrated capacity to manage competing stakeholder interests (e.g., developers vs. community groups).
• High-tier written and verbal communication style, explicitly suited for drafting rigorous policy instruments and defending corporate planning choices.
• Must successfully clear a comprehensive pre-employment National Criminal History Check and a thorough occupational medical evaluation.
• Posses WHS Competency (White Card) for CPCWHS1001.
• Valid Class C driving license.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-tier base salary augmented by a 17.5% annual leave loading bonus and up to 12.65% employer superannuation contributions.
• Exceptional work-life harmony frameworks, featuring flexible work structures, ergonomic office amenities, collaborative breakout fields, and abundant free parking.
• Extensive corporate salary sacrificing avenues to optimize superannuation, vehicle leasing, or technical asset portfolios.
• Substantial corporate health and wellness discounts, including active access to the Fitness Passport program for regional fitness hubs.
• Complimentary workplace wellness services including annual influenza vaccinations and preventative skin cancer checks.
• Unrestricted access to the Council's confidential, nationwide 24-hour employee assistance counseling program (EAP) for staff and family members.

Important Applicant Information

• Applicants must hold unrestricted, legal working rights within Australia at the absolute time of application submission.
• The preferred candidate must satisfy all genuine occupational health assessments to confirm field capacities across urban and natural environments.
• Application Formatting Warning: Toowoomba Regional Council maintains explicit application instructions. Submissions must include both a detailed professional resume and a dedicated two-page statement directly addressing the position description's Success Criteria. Failure to supply both files will result in instant disqualification.
• Please note: The employer indicated that onshore or offshore sponsorship not available for this vacancy.

Required Application Documents:

• A detailed, current professional resume highlighting your policy history, environmental project exposure, education, and active references.
• A concise cover letter explicitly addressing each item of the 'Success Criteria' in the Position Description using clear, structured workplace examples.

Eligible applicants include:

• Australian citizens
• Permanent Residents (PR)
• New Zealand citizens
• Subclass 485 / 491 / 191 visa holders
• Any onshore temporary residents with legal, active Australian work rights.

About The Employer

Toowoomba Regional Council services a thriving regional population of over 178,500 and manages a massive workforce of approximately 1,600 dedicated public professionals. As Australia's second-largest inland city, the region serves as a core commercial, health, and transport hub for Southwest Queensland and Northwest New South Wales, proudly balancing rapid multi-billion dollar industrial growth with top-tier family liveability and pristine heritage gardens.

Applicant Safety Reminder

• You must possess valid work rights to be employed in Australia.
• Never send funds to secure an interview or a job offer.
• Do not share banking or credit card details to anyone.
• Always cross-check employer credentials before accepting any job proposal.