The Opportunity
Lithgow City Council has an exciting opportunity for a Compliance Officer to join our team in Lithgow, NSW.
The Seven Valleys isn't just a place to live - it's a lifestyle choice. It's where you can reconnect with nature, enjoy a strong sense of community, and still stay within reach of Sydney.
Lithgow is the gateway to Central West NSW and only 90 minutes drive to the new Western Sydney International Airport. Our diverse region adjoins the Blue Mountains and the Gardens of Stone while having the community feel and wide range of rural and nature experiences that you are after!
About the role
As a Compliance Officer, and reporting to the Development Manager, you will undertake the delivery of inspections, investigations, and statutory enforcement activities by Council in relation to breaches of development consent, unauthorised and/or non-complying development, environmental and land use matters.
More specifically, your duties will include (but will not be limited to):
- Conducting inspections, investigations, and statutory enforcement activities in response to customer and management requests, within delegated powers and legislative frameworks under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Local Government Act 1993, Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and other relevant legislation.
- Gather evidence, undertake interviews and assess all information to initiate compliance actions including the issuing of Notices, Orders, Penalty Infringement Notices and legal proceedings, as necessary.
- Receive and investigate complaints and enquiries on development control and land use matters and instigate appropriate action.
- Monitor development control of existing sites/land uses/development activities to ensure compliance with consents, Planning Instruments (i.e. Local Environment Plan) and relevant regulations and legislation.
- Represent Council as an investigating officer and assist Council’s solicitors in legal proceedings and represent Council in Court as required.
About you
The successful candidate will meet the following criteria:
- Qualification(s) in one of, or a combination of, Development Control, Environmental Health, Building Surveying, Town Planning, Environmental Science, land use planning, or Local Government Investigations and/or possess relevant experience in a Compliance Officer role or similar.
- Effective investigation and interviewing skills and demonstrated ability to undertake compliance investigations under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Local Government Act 1993, Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 or other applicable legislation.
- Experience issuing Notices, Orders, and Penalty Infringement Notices under the relevant Acts and Regulations.
- Well-developed and professional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage and negotiate with stakeholders regarding unauthorised works.
- Ability to undertake inspections outside of normal office hours, including as part of the Compliance Team ‘on-call’ roster system.
- Possession and maintenance of a current Class C driver's licence.
In addition, an ideal candidate would have knowledge of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, experience in enforcing conditions of development consents, previous experience working in Local Government, experience giving evidence in relation to matters relevant to the position before the Local Court and Land and Environment Court.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you have any questions, please contact the Development Manager on 6354 9999 or by email [email protected] (attention: Development Manager).
Salary and Benefits
If you are looking for a change of lifestyle, a new adventure, or to take the next step in your career, this is the role for you.
- Between $95,442.88 and $106,068.04 per annum, commensurate with your skills, qualifications and experience. Additional renumeration may be considered for an exceptional candidate.
- Permanent, Full-time, 35 hours per week.
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- Work/Life balance with a rostered day off every 2 weeks.
- Access to Council's Fitness Passport Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 26 August 2026 at 4pm AEST.
Please note: To be considered for this position, candidates must address all selection criteria outlined in the Position Description. Those who do not address the selection criteria with examples may not be considered.
Applications generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not be progressed in the recruitment process.
Preferred applicants will be required to undertake a pre-employment medical, which includes a drug and alcohol screening and functional assessment. Preferred applicants may be subject to reference checks, driving history checks, qualification checks, a NSW Police Check, a Working with Children check and confirmation of your Right to Work in Australia.
You must be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or a permanent resident or have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.
Lithgow City Council
The Lithgow local government area is located on the western edge of the majestic Blue Mountains. The area totals 4,567 square kilometres from the Capertee and Wolgan Valleys in the north, Little Hartley in the east, Tarana in the south and Meadow Flat in the west.
The major urban centre of Lithgow nestles in a valley of that name, overlooked by the sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains. In the addition to the major urban centre of Lithgow, the Lithgow local government area has 12 villages with mining or farming backgrounds. These smaller centres have proven to be attractive rural residential areas which, along with the broader rural areas offer a truly unique lifestyle that harmonises its urban, industrial and rural qualities.
Council is focused on delivering quality services as a Centre of Regional Excellence that encourages community growth and development, and contributes to the efficient and effective management of the environment, community and economy for present and future generations.
The guiding principles of communication, accountability, respect, empathy and support define how Lithgow City Council strengthen its working environment to deliver on the aspirations of our community. For further details on Council's values, please visit https://council.lithgow.com
