About Us:
Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.
We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.8 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley.
About the Opportunity
Kempsey Shire Council is delivering a significant program of water, wastewater and waste management infrastructure works. We are seeking a driven and capable Project Officer with strong project delivery and contract administration skills to play a key role in planning, managing, and delivering capital projects across the program of works.
This role is ideal for a project professional ready to step into greater responsibility, managing the delivery of projects while working closely with the Program Manager and senior technical staff. You will support and at times lead components of project scoping, procurement, contract administration, construction supervision, risk management and reporting — ensuring assets are delivered on time, within scope, safely and to the required quality.
You will work across multiple live projects, liaise with contractors and consultants, manage documentation, track budgets and progress, assist with grant reporting, and contribute to governance and PMO-aligned project controls.
If you’re an experienced project officer or engineer looking to stretch into more ownership, delivery autonomy and strategic exposure - this is the perfect opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Coordinate and deliver projects with support from the Program Manager.
- Prepare and review project documentation - scopes, tender packages, specifications and plans.
- Monitor construction progress, undertake site inspections and ensure contractor compliance with specifications, safety and environmental obligations.
- Lead elements of procurement, contract administration and variation assessments.
- Maintain project controls — cost, schedule, risks, reporting and documentation.
- Contribute to PMO governance, project reporting, funding acquittals and performance monitoring.
- Engage confidently with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors and community members to support project outcomes.
- Identify risks, track actions, support issue resolution and help drive projects to successful completion.
About You
You will be a highly organised and proactive professional with:
Essential
- Degree in engineering, project management or related discipline, or extensive relevant experience.
- Strong communication and stakeholder skills - written, verbal & interpersonal.
- Demonstrated capability in project coordination, contract support or site-based delivery.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic capital works environment.
Highly Valued
- Experience coordinating utilities, civil or infrastructure projects.
- Understanding of PMBOK project management framework (or equivalent).
- Exposure to contract delivery, budgeting, tendering and construction supervision.
- Ability to influence outcomes, lead workstreams and work with minimal supervision.
- Desire to step up into larger project responsibilities over time.
Why Join Us?
- Shape major water, wastewater and waste assets that directly serve the community
- Supportive Program Manager and PMO environment with professional development support
- Competitive salary package + 35 hr week and RDOs
- Work-life balance
- Opportunity to take ownership of project delivery activities, not just administration
- Long-term 3-year role with strong growth potential
Benefits of working for Kempsey Shire Council:
As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:
- A temporary full-time position for a duration of 3 years.
- 35-hour work week
- Monthly RDOs
- Generous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five years
- A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs.
- Fitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities.
- Career development and learning opportunities, access to study leave if required.
- Novated Leasing and salary packaging options (for eligible roles).
- A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow!
- A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast.
Interested?
Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. Note that you will be required to prepare and submit:
- A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and
- Your current resume.
Applications Close: COB Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Have questions? Please contact Eric Nielsen, Program Manager, for a confidential discussion on Ph: 02 6566 3200.
Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.
Completion of a pre-employment medical assessment is a requirement of KSC’s recruitment process for this position.
Current immunisations against tetanus, Hepatitis A & B and Q Fever or willingness to obtain these vaccinations is a requirement of KSC’s recruitment process for this position.
If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 02 6566 3200 or email
jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au
Thank you and good luck with your application.
Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.
