Interim Director Technical Services

Job No: PEAK703
Location: Aurukun

  • Start in Mid-January 2025 for Handover with Incumbant
  • 3 Month Assignment with Opportunity to Apply for the Permanent Role
  • Executive Level Daily Rate + Flights + Accom + Vehicle

About Aurukun

The community of Aurukun is located on the north-west coast of the Cape York Peninsula, 178km south of the mining town Weipa and 811km (11hrs) from Cairns. Nearly the entire population live within the township.

The shire has an area of 7500sq. km and is bounded by the Holroyd River and Pormpuraaw Deed of Grant in Trust lands to the south, Cook shire and Archer Bend National Park to the east, the Gulf of Carpentaria to the west and Cook shire to the north. It has about 107 km of Gulf of Carpentaria coastline.

Situated in the heart of an Indigenous community, Aurukun is one of the larger communities in the Cape with a population of approximately 1400. Most residents are Traditional owners of the shire and surrounding lands. There are 5 spiritual clan groups: Apalech, Winchanam, Wanam, Chara and Puutch. There are 15 outstations that are occupied during the dry season, one feature in common with many other Indigenous communities is a very stable (immobile) population. Many Aurukun residents have little opportunity to move away from the area – many lack recognised education or training and to do so would also deprive them of their family and clan supports.

About Council

The Aurukun Shire Council lies at the heart of a dynamic Indigenous community, playing an instrumental role in delivering vital services such as health, education, police, and welfare. Beyond these, the Council manages the local airport, banking, and postal operations, daycare, aged care, while also overseeing road and housing development and maintenance. With robust support from both State and Federal governments, we are staunchly committed to community growth, sustainability, and well-being.

Our overarching vision is to foster community development, champion well-being, and position Aurukun as a hub of opportunity and advancement. In line with this, we are collaborating with various government stakeholders, including Ministerial and Government Champions, to roll out a forward-thinking 4-point plan for Aurukun's future.

  • Community safety
  • Access to education
  • Strengthening community
  • Jobs and economic development

About the Position

The Director of Technical Services is a pivotal leadership role within Aurukun Shire Council, responsible for overseeing the delivery of essential technical services to the community. This includes managing infrastructure projects, roadworks, building construction and maintenance, water and sewerage systems, waste management, and airport operations.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the position plays a critical role in shaping the future of Aurukun by ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality service delivery across the department. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and operational excellence. 

For a full position description please click HERE.

About You

You are a seasoned leader with extensive experience in managing technical services within complex, community-focused environments. With a proven ability to navigate the unique challenges of remote or Indigenous communities, you are adept at fostering strong relationships and driving positive outcomes that align with the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Your expertise includes overseeing infrastructure projects such as road construction, water and sewerage systems, and building maintenance, as well as managing essential services like waste, airport operations, and disaster preparedness. You have a strong understanding of compliance requirements, budgeting, asset management, and team leadership, ensuring high standards of service delivery and operational efficiency.

Why this Role?

This is a unique opportunity to step into an executive-level role where your leadership and technical expertise will directly impact the Aurukun community. Offering a competitive executive daily rate and will be a seamless and supportive transition.

Benefits Include:

  • Flights: Covered for ease of travel to Aurukun.
  • Accommodation: A fully furnished 3-bedroom house provided for the duration of the contract.
  • Vehicle: Full private and professional use of a 4WD vehicle.

You'll be stepping into a well-structured and collaborative department, with a team that is fully functional and aligned to deliver key outcomes. A comprehensive handover will be provided by the current incumbent if you are able to commence on or shortly after 6th January 2025, ensuring you are well-prepared to hit the ground running.

This role is ideal for a results-driven professional seeking a rewarding leadership opportunity in a supportive and resource-rich environment.

PEAK Services is working in conjunction with Cloncurry Shire Council, exclusively on this position. We offer local government expertise across a wide range of professional fields, providing tailored solutions for councils and other similar organisations. We work with our clients to deliver meaningful outcomes in recruitment and contracting services. 

How to Apply

You will be required to answer a few questions that relate to the criteria on the online application below.  Please note that you cannot submit your application without attaching your resume.  A cover letter is not mandatory, but may be added if so desired. When uploading your Resume or documents please ensure file names should only include 'A-z', '0-9', '.' and '-' characters.

Applications will close on Monday 6th January 2024 at 10pm

PLEASE NOTE: Once you have commenced your application you cannot save and continue at a later stage. 

For a confidential conversation, please call Cole Berman on 0428 642 119 at Peak Services Recruitment.

Apply Now

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