Place Lead

The City is currently recruiting Place Leads for the following specialist portfolios: Health and Wellbeing, Youth and Children, and Diverse Communities and LGBTQTIA+.

About the City of Kalamunda

The City of Kalamunda is a local authority with a population of 60,000 located approximately a 35 minute drive from the Perth CBD providing the opportunity to work in a varied planning environment, from rural natural bushland to highly developed residential, commercial and industrial areas.

About this Opportunity

The Place Lead is a dynamic community-focused leadership role responsible for driving the co-design and delivery of place-based initiatives within a designated area of the City of Kalamunda. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Place Lead builds strong relationships with residents, businesses, schools, community groups and visitors to understand the unique identity, strengths, challenges and aspirations of their Place Area. Using these community insights, the Place Lead translates ideas into practical programs, projects, activations and improvements that strengthen local identity, foster inclusion and participation, enhance community connection, and contribute to vibrant and thriving neighbourhoods.

Core requirements of the Place Lead role 

1. Demonstrated experience in place-based initiatives, with a strong focus on community engagement, activation, and co-design, including the ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse community stakeholders.
2. Ability to research and analyse local data, demographics, and community insights to inform planning, project design, and strategic decision-making.
3. Detailed knowledge of community development, including asset-based community development principles, and demonstrated experience in identifying and leveraging community strengths, networks, and opportunities.
4. Experience using creative and inclusive engagement methods to reach people who may not participate in traditional consultation.
5. Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work across internal teams and external partners to influence positive strategic and infrastructure outcomes.
6. Flexibility to work evenings or weekends to attend events or deliver programs.
7. Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with residents, community groups, businesses, service providers and internal teams.

Specialist Portfolio Requirements

In addition to the core requirements of the Place Lead role, applicants must demonstrate experience, knowledge and capabilities relevant to one of the following portfolios:

Health and Wellbeing Portfolio

You will bring experience in designing, delivering and evaluating community health and wellbeing initiatives, with a strong understanding of contemporary health promotion, prevention and early intervention approaches. The role requires the ability to analyse community health data, demographics and lived experience insights to develop place-based responses that improve wellbeing outcomes. You will have experience working collaboratively with health services, community organisations and government agencies, and a sound understanding of the social determinants of health and the important role that connection, inclusion and participation play in community wellbeing. Relevant qualifications or substantial experience in public health, health promotion, community development, social sciences or a related discipline are highly desirable.

Youth and Children Portfolio

You will have demonstrated experience engaging children and young people in meaningful participation, including establishing and facilitating youth advisory groups, youth councils or similar youth-led forums. You will be skilled in supporting young people to identify priorities, contribute ideas and influence decisions that affect their communities. The role requires experience designing and delivering programs using co-design and youth participation principles, together with a strong understanding of child-safe practices and safeguarding requirements. You will have proven ability to engage diverse young people and build relationships with schools, families, youth services, sporting clubs and community organisations. Relevant qualifications or substantial experience in youth work, community development, education, social sciences or a related discipline are essential, along with possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Working with Children Check.

Diverse Communities and LGBTQIA+ Portfolio

You will have demonstrated experience working alongside culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people and other underrepresented groups, fostering inclusion and participation through respectful and culturally responsive engagement. Success in this portfolio requires an understanding of trauma-informed practice, accessibility and the diverse barriers that can affect participation in community life. You will have experience creating safe opportunities for people to contribute to programs, services and place-based initiatives, and a proven ability to build trusted relationships with community leaders, multicultural organisations, LGBTQIA+ organisations and service providers. An understanding of intersectionality and how culture, sexuality, gender identity, disability, age, faith and socioeconomic circumstances can shape experiences of place and community is highly valued. Relevant qualifications or substantial experience in community development, social sciences, cultural development, social inclusion or a related discipline are desirable.

Hours of Work

This is a permanent full-time role working Monday to Friday, 75 hours over a 9-day fortnight with a rostered day off. We are open to flexible working arrangements, including job share opportunities for the right candidates.

About the Benefits

This position offers a salary of Level 7 being $102,391 – $108,637 per annum, (depending on experience and skill level) plus superannuation.

Other inclusions are free parking, annual increments, EBA salary increases, a generous superannuation co-contribution scheme, 22 days annual leave which attracts 17.5% loading, Medibank/HIF/HBF Corporate Membership, free access to online learning, discounted membership at City owned facilities. We have flexible work arrangements or the option for a rostered day off fortnightly or monthly.

How to Apply

To be considered for the position your application will consist of a covering letter which includes your claims against the core requirements of the Place Lead role and an updated resume. For more information, the position description can be found on our website under Career Opportunities:  www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au.

Your application and other supporting documents can be submitted electronically via our website or through Seek - attaching a maximum of TWO separate documents.

For any further queries about the role, please contact People Services on (08) •••• •921.

Applications close Wednesday 26 August 2026 

The City of Kalamunda reserves the right to appoint a candidate prior to the closing date. Submissions from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

The City of Kalamunda is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all people and want to build a workforce as diverse as the community we serve.  We aim to have a work environment where everyone feels included and everyone can realise their full potential.