Principal Urban Economist
Join one of WA’s most innovative and forward-thinking agencies and be part of something rewarding and exciting!
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Urban Economist to join the Forecasting team within the Data Analytics directorate, of our Strategy and Engagement division.
If you thrive on researching and analysing economic trends, this role offers an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise in a forecasting environment. Your ability to navigate complexity, generate meaningful insights, and deliver innovative strategic analysis on economic trends will truly set you apart.
The Principal Urban Economist will be responsible for the provision of expertise and leadership across the economic and demographic forecasting function. The position undertakes and manages ongoing complex urban economic analysis. This includes forecasting relating to land use, housing, employment location and population, as well as other economic research.
The Principal Urban Economist will have access to diverse internal databases and existing forecasting models, with the opportunity to work with skilled colleagues and apply your own expertise to lead innovative analysis. Your work will inform decision making by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and across the Western Australian government.
These is one permanent full-time opportunity available. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment.
Our Perth office is located in the Perth CBD in a convenient location, above the Perth Underground rail; close to the Wellington Street Bus Station and City CAT services.
To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate:
- Extensive experience in leading complex urban economic analysis, or extensive experience in a related quantitative field with demonstrable capacity to apply to urban economics.
- Experience in planning, undertaking and managing fit for purpose research and analysis to deliver on Departmental objectives.
- Experience in interpreting and applying results of quantitative analysis, including to present findings and make recommendations to executive decision makers.
- Well-developed skills in preparing and/or presenting publications, reports and briefing notes.
- Well-developed interpersonal and verbal communications skills, to build effective relationships and consult successfully with stakeholders.
- An accredited tertiary qualification in a relevant technical field such as economics, statistics, mathematics, demography or applied geography.
- Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.
Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Leading Others . Leading Others context is about motivating and enabling others to deliver high quality work that contributes to the agency. The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.
How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:
- Applicants must submit copies of their relevant degree in order to be considered for this role.
- Comprehensive CV that clearly shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees.
- A maximum 2-page cover letter that demonstrates your skills and experience in relation to requirements 1, 2 and 3 as outlined above and in the attached JDF.
Please beware if you hold an overseas qualification you will need to provide supporting documentation of proof of assessment for equivalency. Please feel free to have your degree assessed by DTWD’s Overseas Qualification Unit (OQU) or alternatively contact our HR Services team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
About us
For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.
We have a comprehensive Applicant Information Pack to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you.
Benefits of Working at DPLH
DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:
- Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance.
- 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options
- Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities.
- 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December
- 3 days additional public sector holidays each year
- Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
- Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting
- Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.
Further Information:
If you would like to know more, please give Andrew Wilkinson a call on (08) 6551 9693 or email andrew.wilkinson@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Andrew or to seek their assistance with lodging your application.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Barb at 0408 895 002, or email us at aboriginalemployment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.
Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our HR Services team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.
We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:
TTY/voice calls – 133 677
Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727
SMS relay – 0423 677 767
Special Requirements for this position:
The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process.
To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.
Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted. If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.
Closing Date – Tuesday 3 March @ 4:00pm
