Community Operations Section Manager

A great lifestyle in a treasured environment, this is life at PSC!

The opportunity

Recently, PSC undertook a review of our Facilities & Infrastructure Directorate, ensuring that our services were fit for purpose and in alignment to continue to support our elected bodies priorities with regard to initiatives such as the Roads Strategy Plan.

We’re now seeking a Section Manager to provide strategic leadership and a people-first approach, to our teams within Community Operations.

Our Community Operations section includes the 3 core units of Parks, Waste Operations, and Trades. These 3 units house teams who look after Vegetation Management, Volunteer Management, Parks Maintenance, Public Place and Commercial Cleaning, Waste Transfer Station, Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, and our trades within the Workshop.

Your role is key in shaping the strategic direction across the teams through effective, people-first leadership, ensuring our teams remain focused on providing a customer-first experience to our community.

Not only will you continuously improve the Community Operations system, but also it’s capabilities, processes and relationships in the areas of;

• Parks and Gardens maintenance services
• Trades, Workshop, and Depot services
• Waste Operations services
• Volunteer governance and support services for 355c Committees and Council volunteers

Reporting to the Facilities & Infrastructure Director, you will form part of the Senior Leadership team, collaborating with other Section Managers across the organisation and actively participating in leadership workshops and meetings. With 3 direct reports, and 72 in-direct reports, you will be responsible for the promotion and ongoing direction of setting the cultural tone and values of PSC through authenticity and genuine care for the wellbeing of our people.

• This is a permanent opportunity – working full-time 35 hours / week
• An attractive remuneration package is on offer including motor vehicle, retention and overtime allowances
• You will be working from PSC Administration Building, Raymond Terrace

A full list of the key responsibilities for this position are listed within the position description here – view the position description.

We’re all about putting the right people, in the right role! Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Qualifications in a related field and/or extensive experience in the industry.
• Demonstrated detailed knowledge of Work Health and Safety Act
• Ability to influence and convince others in the pursuit of specific and set objectives
• Ability to present to and engage the community generally in a manner that is credible in terms of professional expertise
• Expertise in the development, implementation and maintenance of up to date Council plans, integrative relevant Council policy, planning and decision-making frameworks

This is life at PSC!

• Work/Life balance with generous leave entitlements, flexible work options and leave in lieu
• Long service leave when you’ve been with us for just over 5 years
• Health & Wellbeing leave to recharge when you need it
• Industry leading Paid Parental Leave accessible for all employees – regardless of how you became a parent, we offer 14 weeks that can be taken within 2 years from the birth, adoption, or long-term foster care of your child.
• PSCare Day available to all employees to take in addition to your regular leave entitlements
• Confidential support (including mental health) through our employee assistance program
• Award winning health and wellbeing program PSCare, Workers Health Initiative with access to a broad range of gyms in the area, and discounted health insurance
• Free parking on site and a convenient local shopping centre
• Coffee and food to keep you sustained at our on-site café
• And lots more…

Enough about us, we want to hear about you! So tell us about…

• Why you want this role and how it aligns with your career goals?
• Outline your experience in supporting teams of both similar size and complexity.

Ready to Apply? Here’s what you need to know

• Applications Close: Midnight, Tuesday 8 September 2026
• For position related in enquiries, contact: Greg Kable, Facilities & Infrastructure Director, on (02) 4988 0222 4988 0222)
• For application related in enquiries, contact: Brooke Tisdell, Talent Acquisition Advisor, on (02) 4988 0589 4988 0589)
• For information on our recruitment process, and what we look for in an application, please visit our Careers page on our website for ‘How to Apply’
• To complete your online application, you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide responses to questions which are based on the criteria listed in the Position Description and our organisation Values
• We’re a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant
• We’ve partnered with the Veterans Employment Program to support veterans finding suitable, sustainable and meaningful employment
• Port Stephens Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and supports children and young people having safe and welcoming experience in our community, accessing our facilities and in our care
• We acknowledge the Worimi as the original Custodians and inhabitants of Port Stephens. May we walk the road to tomorrow with mutual respect and admiration as we care for the beautiful land and waterways together