The Technical Capability and Improvement (TC&I) Team within Infrastructure Services Division (ISD) is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to join a high-performing team responsible for strengthening infrastructure planning capability across t state school network.
Working alongside infrastructure planning, technical and project professionals and engaging directly with state schooling stakeholders, the role will translate educational insights into practical infrastructure planning advice that responds to the evolving needs of Queensland state schools.
This is a full-time temporary opportunity until 30 September 2027, unless otherwise determined.

Job details

About the Department of Education:  

Working for the Queensland Department of Education means joining an organisation that values its people and promotes leadership and innovation. Be part of an environment that respects professionalism and diversity, offers training and development opportunities and embraces flexible careers and work-life balance. Find out more about working with us.  

About the Role:

The Principal Planning Officer will apply this specialist educational practice lens across priority infrastructure planning initiatives and the continued development of planning tools.

This role brings contemporary state schooling experience into strategic infrastructure planning, ensuring infrastructure decisions respond to how schools operate, how students learn and how educational needs translate into the physical environment.

The role will report to the Director, TC&I and work closely with another Principal Planning Officer within the team, combining complementary skills and experience to strengthen infrastructure planning advice.

Key Priorities

• Apply contemporary educational practice across priority infrastructure planning and improvement initiatives, translating curriculum, school operations and emerging models of schooling into practical infrastructure requirements.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of infrastructure planning tools, methodologies and frameworks, including space allocation and capacity assessment.
• Engage with education stakeholders to understand contemporary practice, operational realities and emerging needs, and translate these insights into infrastructure planning advice.
• Strengthen infrastructure planning evidence and advice to support strategic priorities through analysis, briefs and governance materials.

About You:

We are seeking a candidate with practical knowledge of contemporary state schooling and educational practice, with capability in infrastructure planning, the built environment, strategic planning, or policy.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Contemporary educational expertise – understanding of curriculum, contemporary practices, school operations and the Queensland schooling environment.
• School and stakeholder engagement – ability to engage with education stakeholders to understand contemporary practice, operational needs and emerging issues.
• Educational-to-infrastructure translation – ability to translate these needs into practical implications for infrastructure planning, design, tools, standards and investment decisions.
• Strategic and systems thinking – ability to critically evaluate planning approaches, identify opportunities and consider issues within the broader school network.
• Collaboration and influence – ability to work across education and technical infrastructure, communicate complex matters and align perspectives.
• Evidence, adaptability and delivery – ability to combine professional experience, data, research and stakeholder insight to develop sound advice, manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes in an evolving environment.

Interested? To Apply:  

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history);
• A maximum 2-page cover letter outlining your relevant experience, achievements and capabilities relevant to the role.
• Attach evidence of the mandatory requirements outlined in the attached role description.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.  

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.  

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.  

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached Role Description and Applicant Information Package and follow the instructions. 

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• CO700713_26T - Role Description (PDF, 275KB)
  Role Description
  
  Application Information Package (PDF, 285KB)
  Information Package for Applicants