Title: Planning and Heritage Investigations Officer
About us
We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians.
Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all.
We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.
About the Group
Planning and Land Services in the Department, brings together statutory planning, building policy, land, property and heritage capability to deliver statewide services. The Group administers statutory planning responsibilities including improvements to planning system and provisions, assessing planning scheme amendments and environmental assessments and planning permits.
The Planning and Land Services group also ensures secure and accurate registration services for property, land, and water share transactions; provides specialist property services including planning, acquisition and management and disposal of land and building assets; and manages the state's planning, building and heritage systems to shape the places and communities of Victoria.
Heritage Victoria is the principal body in Victoria responsible for protecting the State's historic heritage. It delivers the functions of the Heritage Act 2017 which enables the identification, protection and management of Victoria's State significant heritage places and objects, including historic archaeological sites and maritime heritage. Heritage Victoria maintains the Victorian Heritage Register, the archaeological Heritage Inventory, and the Historic Shipwrecks Database. It advises property owners, local and State government bodies, industry and the general community on heritage practice. It seeks to increase recognition of Victoria's significant heritage, support the retention of significant values when heritage places are adapted or changed, and communicate the benefits of investing in heritage assets.
About the role
This is a Full Time Fixed Term Position until 30 June 2026
The Heritage Enforcement Officer is a key member of the Planning and Land Services Group and will contribute to compliance and enforcement of the Heritage Act 2017 and Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2019 (Commonwealth).
The role will work within approved enforcement policies and procedures and undertake compliance and enforcement activities in partnership with other enforcement agencies and represent the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria with external stakeholders.
To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and apply complex legislative frameworks to heritage compliance and enforcement matters. Success relies on the capacity to communicate and negotiate effectively with diverse stakeholders often in challenging contexts, while providing sound, evidence-based advice that upholds the intent of the Heritage Act. The role requires a balance of technical heritage knowledge, investigative acumen, and professional judgment to protect Victoria’s significant heritage assets and ensure statutory obligations are met.
To access the Position Description, please click here
Position accountabilities
- Support the Principal Investigations & Enforcement in undertaking compliance and enforcement activities within the Heritage Act 2017 and Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2019 (Commonwealth) .
- Assess the impacts on heritage places and objects resulting from contraventions of the Heritage Act 2017 including through unauthorised works and activities and failure to maintain heritage places and objects.
- Provide quality and informed heritage advice on repair and remediation works to ensure heritage places and objects are maintained and their conservation not threatened.
- Provide effective and timely information and statutory support, including assessing compliance with permits granted by the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria.
- Ensure files, records and data are managed appropriately within departmental systems and databases.
- Ensure compliance with heritage permits, consent conditions, and enforcement notices and orders including review of technical reports and drawings.
- Liaise with property owners and relevant parties to ensure obligations under the Heritage Act 2017 are met.
- Liaise with other regulators, legal services and maintain effective partnerships between industry, community organisations, State and Local Government authorities, the Heritage Council and other stakeholders.
- Contribute effectively to the successful delivery of Planning and Land Services business outcomes and demonstrate a commitment to a workplace culture that is consistent with the values and behaviours in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees.
- Work flexibly and collaboratively across the business to deliver business unit, group and DTP priorities and initiatives as required.
Qualifications and experience
– Relevant tertiary qualification in cultural heritage management or a related discipline; or Certificate IV or Diploma in Government (Investigation) or experience in regulatory investigations or equivalent are highly desirable.
– Drivers Licence
Culture Value
We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.
What we offer
Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.
For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.
Pre-employment checks and employment conditions
All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.
Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.
Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.
How to apply
Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.
If have any issues, click here for Quick Reference Guide on how to apply.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday, the 24th of November 2025.
Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.
For further information about the role, please contact Enola Agastra, Principal, Investigations and Enforcement via enola.agastra@transport.vic.gov.au.
Important Information:
If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email. We're here to support you.
