The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is seeking a qualified and experienced urban planner to undertake the role of SCL4 Planning Manager, Metro Central - Precincts within its Land Use Planning division.

This is a new position in one of Western Australia’s most innovative and forward-thinking agencies. Join our dynamic team and take the opportunity to guide and deliver the State government’s vision for planning, for the benefit our community.

The Planning Manager will lead a growing team tasked with implementing and administering improvement schemes associated with the State Government’s Precincts WA initiative for station precincts across Perth. The role will require a collaborative, pragmatic and proactive approach to successfully deliver vibrant, well-connected and sustainable precincts where more people can live close to jobs, services and public transport.

This is a permanent full-time position. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within Metro Central, Land Use Planning, the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment. 

To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate: 

1. A degree in Urban and Regional Studies, Planning or Development or an approved equivalent relevant to planning.
2. Highly developed knowledge of Western Australia’s planning legislation, policy and approval processes, with the ability to interpret and apply them to complex statutory and strategic planning matters.
3. Substantial experience in land use planning, including leading or overseeing the assessment and delivery of statutory and strategic planning work, and contributing to the design and continuous improvement of planning frameworks.
4. Proven ability to lead the management and assessment of complex planning proposals, including development applications, provide sound recommendations, and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve practical planning outcomes.
5. Highly developed written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear advice and reports.
6. Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.

Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others. The Leading Others context is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high quality work that contributes to the agency The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.

About us

Our Perth office is centrally located in the CBD, above the Perth Underground rail station and close to major transport links.  We also have a number of offices located in the regions.

For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.

We have a comprehensive Applicant Information Pack to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you.

Benefits of Working at DPLH

DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
• Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December.
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting.
• Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.

How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide:

• Applicants must submit copies of their relevant degree in order to be considered for this role.
• A clear and comprehensive CV that shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees, with at least one being your current or recent manager or supervisor.
• A maximum two-page cover letter, clearly demonstrating your skills and experience against position requirements 2, 3, 4 and 5, as detailed above and in the JDF.

Please note, if you hold an overseas qualification you will need to provide supporting documentation of proof of assessment for equivalency. Please feel free to have your degree assessed by DTWD’s Overseas Qualification Unit (OQU) or alternatively contact our Recruitment team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

Further Information: 

If you would like to know more, please give a call on 0459 863 942 or email dale.sanderson@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Dale Sanderson or seek assistance with lodging your application. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Jake Louthean or Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Jake at 0428429486 or Barb at 0408 895 002 or alternatively email us at aboriginalemployment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.

Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:
TTY/voice calls – 133 677
Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727
SMS relay – 0423 677 767

Special Requirements for this position:

The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process. 

To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.  

Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted. 

If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.

DPLH reserves the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date should circumstances around the vacancy change.

Closing Date – Monday, 9 November 2026 @ 4:00pm