Town Planner

TOWN PLANNER JC Engineers · Sydney CBD
NSW planning and approvals is the core of this job — DAs, SEEs, planning proposals. Around that, engineering projects across Australia, some of them nothing to do with planning.
We're hiring on attitude. We'll teach the rest.
You'll work from our Sydney CBD office and report to the Technical Lead in our Technical division.
The work
DAs and Statements of Environmental Effects — residential, commercial and industrial, across Sydney and regional NSWAssessing sites against LEPs, DCPs and SEPPs, and giving the client a straight answer on what's achievableLodging and managing applications through the NSW Planning Portal, RFIs includedPre-DA meetings and negotiation with council plannerss4.55 modifications, planning proposals and Gateway submissions; support on Panel and Land & Environment Court mattersDue diligence, site constraints and feasibility advice, before design startsApprovals work on national projects alongside our civil, structural and infrastructure teamsReviewing and mentoring junior staff
What matters most
We can teach you our systems, clients and templates. We can't teach these, so this is what the interview will be about:
You tell clients the truth, including when it isn't what they want to hearYou ask the awkward question, and hold your position when you're rightYou can disagree with a council planner and still work with them next monthYou treat the client's project as an investment, not paperworkYou care how the business goes, not just how your file goes
What you need
Degree in Town or Urban Planning, or equivalentWorking knowledge of the NSW framework — EP&A Act 1979, LEPs, DCPs, SEPPs — and hands-on NSW DA experienceAustralian working rightsPIA membership or working toward RPIA is a plus, not a requirement
Meet most of that and recognise yourself in the list above? Apply. We'd rather have the conversation.
What we offer
Competitive Salary + Benefits + IncentivesFlexible Working ArrangementProfessional development, PIA fees, CPDReal World Experience and Exposure
The process
Shortlist Advisory is running this search for us. They specialise in placement across engineering and the built environment. What it means for you:
A person reads your application, and you get an answer on the outcome of your application either wayA confidential call with Shortlist Advisory before anything reaches JC EngineersFeedback at every stage, including when it's a no
Steps: Phone call with Shortlist Advisory → interview with the NSW Director & Technical Lead → offer. About 3 weeks.
To apply
Apply here or send an email to Shortlist Advisory info@shortlistadvisory.com.au referencing this role to organise a confidential chat first. Either is fine.Skip the cover letter. Send a few sentences on this instead:
A time you told a client, a council or your own boss something they didn't want to hear — and what happened next.
That's the first thing we'll read.
JC Engineers is an equal opportunity employer.