Recreation Trails Officer

Why work with us?

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to shape our region for the future – you’ll want to join our team!

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region -Connected. Liveable. Thriving, our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

The Environmental Operations Branch is responsible for the preservation, management and enhancement of council’s diverse range of environmental and recreational assets and in partnership with our community, the rich biodiversity of the region’s landscapes. The branch plays an active role within council, liaising with other units, as well as with the community to maintain and deliver high quality environmental outcomes.

In this role, you will  lead the development of a coordinated and consultative approach to recreation trail planning and development that maximises both landscape potential and funding resources

Key Duties include:

• Supported by the branch leadership team, take the lead role in planning and delivering the Recreation Trail Development Plan.
• Support the development and delivery of the Parklands Nature Based Recreation Precinct and 2032 Olympic Mountain Biking Event.
• Update and support the delivery of the 10-year Recreation Trail Development Plan, that outlines key activation and investment focus areas and defined success measures.
• Engage with relevant government agencies and other interested parties to identify current and future trail development.
• Participate in regional, local and internal forums, and working groups to ensure strategic and operational coordination, planning and delivery of nature-based recreation trail development.

About you

You will hold a Tertiary qualification (undergraduate degree) in Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism/Environmental Science/Sport and Recreation or related discipline and/or substantial demonstrated industry experience.

You’ll have demonstrated experience in the design, development and construction of a suite of nature based recreation trails and related activities including relevant standards.

In addition, you bring demonstrated experience in community engagement and an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

You will also possess demonstrated understanding of the regional economic opportunities associated with recreational trail development and experience in the use of various mediums to promote/market recreation trail opportunities.

Essential to your success is physical agility and the level of fitness, strength and dexterity to carry out labouring and frequent heavy lifting & bending. As such, appointment to this position is subject to completion of a pre-employment medical assessment.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer a number of different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work, therefore we offer flexible working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model that help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing this criteria; and
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2025-2030.

For specific enquiries contact Adam Connell during business hours on 0409 754 202.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [email protected].

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.