Careers in local government

Not sure what you want to do after school? These career snapshots show you what different local government jobs are really like, from being outdoors and hands-on to helping shape the future of your community. Check out the roles, see what suits your interests, and explore pathways that could get you there.

Town Maintenance Officer Statutory Planner Building Surveyor

A day in the life of a Town Maintenance Officer

Do you enjoy being outdoors? Ever wonder how parks and streets stay clean, green and inviting? Being a Town Maintenance Officer at the Shire means you help create and care for the spaces your community uses every day.

A day in the life

  1. AM: Mowing, pruning, planting and maintaining irrigation
  2. AM: Managing weeds and keeping verges and public spaces tidy
  3. PM: Respond to maintenance requests or help prepare spaces for events.
  4. PM: Inspect parks, gardens and streetscapes to check they are clean, safe and well-maintained

What the job feels like

  • Staying active
  • Hands-on work
  • Working outdoors
  • Public service

Is this you?

  • You enjoy staying active and working outdoors
  • You’re confident using tools and machinery
  • You take pride in keeping spaces neat and well presented
  • You like practical work and seeing the results straight away

Why local government?

Step into a hands-on role where you help shape the look and feel of SJ every day. As a Town Maintenance Officer, your work makes a visible difference – you keep our public spaces clean, safe, and inviting, and help create vibrant parks and attractive streetscapes that enhance the community’s quality of life.

A day in the life of a Statutory Planner

Do wonder why your suburb has developed the way it has? Do you ever wonder why buildings are designed a certain way? Being a planner at the Shire means that you get to help make places where people want to live, work and play.

A day in the life

  1. AM: In the office, reviewing development and subdivision applications
  2. AM: In the office, assessing plans against zoning, rules and policies
  3. PM: In the community, meet with community members, developers and other experts
  4. PM: At site, understand how the real world will be affected by a proposal.

What the job feels like

  • Planning and development
  • Rules and policies
  • Community engagement
  • Problem solving

Is this you?

  • You enjoy solving problems and considering different perspectives
  • You’re interested in how rules and planning policies shape communities
  • You can explain ideas clearly and confidently to different people
  • You like managing multiple tasks and keeping projects on track
  • You’re curious about how places grow and how decisions affect communities over time

Why local government?

Work in local government and help shape your own community while building real-world skills from day one. It’s a hands-on career where your ideas and decisions actually make a visible difference where you live.

A day in the life of a Building Surveyor

Do you ever wonder who makes sure buildings are safe and built properly? Have you noticed that new homes, pools, or commercial buildings all need to meet certain standards? Being a Building Surveyor at the Shire means you help protect the community by making sure buildings are safe, compliant, and built to the rules.

A day in the life

  1. AM: In the office, reviewing building permit applications, plans, and technical documents.
  2. AM: At site, carry out inspections on new homes under construction, swimming pool barriers, commercial buildings.
    1. Assessing work, taking measurements, identifying issues, talking with builders, contractors, property owners.
  3. PM:
    1. Responding to customer enquiries
    2. Attend meetings
    3. Dealing with compliance matters
  4. PM: Documentation like inspection reports, approvals, compliance notices, updating council records.

What the job feels like

  • Construction knowledge
  • Law and regulations
  • Public service
  • Investigation

Is this you?

  • You notice small details that others might miss
  • You enjoy figuring out how buildings and designs come together
  • You can explain complicated ideas in a clear, simple way
  • You stay calm and respectful, even when dealing with complaints or pressure
  • You’re confident talking with all different kinds of people
  • You like being organised and producing clear, accurate written work.

Why local government?

Work at the Shire and get more hands-on experience dealing directly with the community, real-world issues, and making sure buildings are safe and compliant. You’ll play a key role in protecting public safety and handling a wider range of challenges, from approvals to enforcement.