Community Engagement Officer

• Salary Range Band 6 $102,620 - $111,855 plus 12% Super
• 12-month full time opportunity to step into a vibrant community engagement role while a team member is on leave
• Work with a team that values curiosity, creativity, collaboration and trying new things
• Design and deliver meaningful community engagement experiences and build connections with diverse communities
• Flexible hybrid working, based at iconic St Kilda Town Hall

About the Organisation 

The City of Port Phillip is an inner-city council with around 1000 employees who deliver more than 100 programs and services to our residents, businesses and visitors. These range from childcare and immunisations, to libraries, management of parks and open space, rubbish collection, road maintenance and more. City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation. 

About the Role

This role is for someone who believes better decisions are made when communities are genuinely involved. 

In this role, you’ll create meaningful opportunities for people to participate, strengthen connections between Council and the community, and champion inclusive engagement practices across the organisation. A key focus will be ensuring people who may face barriers to participation have the opportunity to be heard.

This is an opportunity to influence Port Phillip’s facilities, services, amenities and planning, helping create a liveable, inclusive and vibrant city. 

If you’re passionate about people, participation and making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Duties:

• Create inclusive and culturally responsive engagement opportunities that amplify diverse community voices and reduce barriers to participation.
• Bring Council’s Neighbourhood Engagement Program to life through a variety of activities across the municipality.
• Partner with project teams to design, deliver and report on meaningful community engagement projects.
• Help evolve Council’s engagement practices, processes and tools to improve the community experience.
• Lead the creation of Council’s monthly community engagement newsletter, sharing opportunities, updates and community insights.

Skills and Experience 

• A tertiary qualification in community engagement, stakeholder management, project management, communications or a related discipline, or a combination of relevant qualifications and substantial professional experience.
• Proven ability to contribute to and manage projects across diverse subject areas and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience engaging effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds, including people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, young people and older people.
• Demonstrated experience analysing qualitative and quantitative data and preparing clear, accessible reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Experience working in local government and certification in IAP2 engagement practices are highly desirable.

Culture 

People enjoy working at the City of Port Phillip because we are a welcoming, healthy and inclusive workplace.  We offer a vibrant and diverse work environment where our employees can develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community. 

Benefits

• We offer a workplace that accommodates your working style and needs. 
• Be supported and empowered by a leadership team that is community-focused, with a strong desire for change and a culture that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• Training and development opportunities, study assistance, flexible working conditions, paid parental leave, an active social club, a health and wellbeing program with access to fitness gyms, pools and facilities, and a well-regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations   

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.  

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
• Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia, and                                                       
• Sufficient proof of their identity. 
• Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider.
• Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).  

How to Apply

Click APPLY.

All applicants must provide a Resume and  Cover Letter in response to the key selection criteria located on the last page of the position description. The Cover Letter should be no longer than 2 pages and include each heading in the Key Selection Criteria.

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be provided feedback.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Brad Bennetts, Engagement Advisor (Neighbourhood Partnerships) via email *************@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Applications close 11.59pm Tuesday 15 September 2026

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Yass Mustafa (Recruitment and Employee Experience Advisor) on phone 0468 576 *** or email: ***********@portphillip.vic.gov.au