Planner/Senior Planner

Play a key role in shaping Far North Queensland’s future through impactful and persuasive writing.

At RPS, our Town Planning team in Cairns plays a vital role in shaping communities and driving regional growth. We are seeking a Planning Professionals from Technicians to Senior Planners to support our team by crafting high-quality development applications and planning submissions that help turn ideas into approvals.

This is an ideal opportunity for a highly literate communicator with an interest in planning, development and local government processes. For the technician role you do not need to be a qualified planner—we are looking for someone with strong writing ability, sound judgement and a keen interest in legislation and policy.

Town Planners and Senior Planners are expected to have a planning qualification and experience commensurate with the respective roles.

The Roles

Working as part of a collaborative and experienced planning team, you will:

• Prepare compelling, well-researched development proposals, planning reports and written submissions.
• Translate complex planning concepts and legislative requirements into clear and persuasive written content.
• Assist with site investigations and reviews to inform planning documentation.
• Liaise with clients, consultants and authorities under the guidance of senior team members.
• Support the team by contributing to high-quality planning advice and documentation across a variety of projects.

Who We’re Looking For

You will thrive in any of these roles if you have:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for detail and a knack for persuasive language.
• A keen interest in planning legislation, local government processes and how policy shapes development.
• A degree in law, communications, arts, or a related discipline.
• The ability to research, synthesise and structure complex material clearly and effectively.
• A proactive, team-oriented mindset with a willingness to learn and contribute to planning outcomes.

It’s a Bonus If You Also Have

• Experience writing in a professional or consultancy environment.
• Familiarity with Queensland’s planning system, including the Planning Act 2016.
• Previous experience in or around planning, law, policy or development projects.
• An interest in community engagement, public affairs, or environmental policy.

Why RPS?

You will be joining a respected consultancy with a national footprint and a strong local presence. At RPS, we invest in our people, offering genuine career pathways, ongoing learning opportunities, and a culture built on collaboration, curiosity and impact.

This is a rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully to real-world development outcomes, without needing technical planning qualifications. If you love writing, policy, and place-making, this is your chance to make your mark.

Ready to apply or want to learn more? We’d love to hear from you.

Our Approach 

Our people live our purpose, deliver our promise, and demonstrate our behaviours every day. Our behaviours define who we are. Developed by our people, they underpin everything that we do. They create the memorable experiences we are known for and make RPS a great place to do great work. 

Stronger together is one of our five core behaviours and it is key to building a collaborative workplace. We encourage everyone to bring their best and to support others to do the same. By sharing knowledge, challenging each other to think differently, and fostering an environment of trust and respect, our people can learn, grow and thrive – and share in our success. 

Recruitment Agencies

• We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.