Development and Environment Compliance Officer

At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.

Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play! Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.

We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

Make a Real Impact in Your Community

Are you looking for a role where no two days are the same? Do you enjoy solving complex problems, working with legislation, engaging with the community and seeing the direct impact of your work? Join our Workplace and Development Compliance team and help create a safer, more sustainable and compliant community.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across a diverse range of development and environmental compliance matters, from investigating unlawful development and responding to pollution incidents through to educating the community and representing Council in regulatory matters. You will be part of a supportive, close-knit team that values integrity, respect and collaboration while tackling interesting and varied challenges every day.

The opportunity

Working within a multidisciplinary compliance team, you will have the chance to broaden your expertise across development, environmental and regulatory functions. Our team works on a diverse range of matters, creating genuine opportunities to learn, grow and develop your compliance career.

We are proud of our supportive team culture. Whether it is sharing knowledge, supporting each other through challenging situations or catching up over a morning coffee, you will be joining a team that values collaboration, respect and professional development.

We offer flexibility, including hybrid working arrangements where operational requirements allow. As part of this role, you will participate in an after-hours on-call roster and may be required to work overtime, including occasional weekend work, as operationally required.

This is a permanent full-time 35 hour per week position. Salary from $97,300 up to $124,555 per annum, plus superannuation. (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications)

What you will be doing

- Investigating unlawful development, illegal land use and non-compliance with development approvals.




- Responding to environmental incidents, pollution complaints and community enquiries.
- Conducting inspections of development sites, industrial premises and environmental risk areas.
- Preparing reports, notices, orders and regulatory documentation.
- Providing advice and guidance to residents, developers, consultants and other stakeholders.
- Participating in compliance and community education initiatives.
- Undertaking enforcement action where required, including preparing briefs and representing Council in legal proceedings.
- Participating in an after-hours on-call roster and overtime as operationally required.

This role offers a unique blend of field and office-based work. One day you may be investigating a pollution incident or auditing a construction site, and the next you will be preparing evidence, writing reports or working with the community to resolve a compliance issue.

About you

You bring a resilient and professional approach to compliance, with a passion for working with people and addressing complex challenges. You can confidently interpret and apply legislation, communicate effectively in difficult situations and make balanced, evidence-based decisions.

- Qualifications in town planning, building surveying, environmental health, environmental science or a related discipline.
- Sound knowledge of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
- Experience in compliance, regulation, investigation, enforcement or a related field.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate and professional correspondence and reports.
- Excellent mediation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to remain calm, resilient and professional when managing challenging conversations and complex situations.
- A collaborative approach and commitment to supporting a positive team culture.
- A current Class C Drivers Licence
- A WHS General Construction Induction (White Card) or willing to obtain prior to commencement.
- A willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call roster and work overtime as operationally required.
- A commitment to Council's values of Respect, Integrity, OneTeam, Sustainability and Courage.





Whether you come from local government, environmental regulation, planning, compliance, law enforcement, construction, building, surveying or another regulatory environment, we would love to hear from you. Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council!

- True work-life balance We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
- Great working conditions Enjoy a 35-hour work week or a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
- Career growth and recognition

We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.
- Generous leave provisions Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
- Health, safety, and wellbeing We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks and discounted gym memberships.
- A vibrant social culture Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events!

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference. For more information, click on 'Apply' to be redirected to Wollongong City Council's job vacancy page.

Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 11 October 2026.

Interviews are anticipated to be held the week of 19 October 2026.

We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.

Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.

Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

Desired Skills and Experience

Compliance, Risk, Planning, Regulation, Environmental Health,

📌 Development and Environment Compliance Officer (Wollongong)
🏢 Wollongong City Council
📍 Wollongong