Director Technical Services

• Lead critical infrastructure and essential services for a unique forward thinking remote community
• Enjoy an executive salary range of $180–190k per annum + Super + extensive benefits
• Shape the future of Aurukun while enjoying a unique lifestyle with furnished housing and a 4WD for private use in North Queensland

Step into a transformative leadership role, driving vital infrastructure projects and mentoring a committed team to deliver meaningful outcomes for the Aurukun community.

Closing Date: Tuesday 4^th February 2025 at 10PM | Based in Aurukun QLD

About the Region

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

The Role      

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director Technical Services will play a vital role in leading the delivery of key infrastructure projects and essential services, including water, sewerage, housing, and civil works.

With a team of 20+ staff and upcoming projects such as water and sewerage upgrades and the construction of 10 new homes, this is your chance to lead transformative change in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

Key Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

• Delivering major infrastructure projects such as water and sewerage upgrades and housing developments
• Managing and mentoring a stable workforce, fostering team growth and development
• Overseeing compliance with grant funding requirements and budgets for multimillion-dollar projects
• Leading the delivery of essential services, including water and sewerage, waste management, and civil works
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to align projects with strategic goals

For the full Candidate Briefing Document, click HERE.

About You

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring a strategic mindset and proven leadership in managing large-scale infrastructure projects and the resilience to overcome challenges in a remote setting. You will also possess strong communication skills to foster relationships across diverse stakeholders and ensure smooth delivery of services and projects.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in delivering large-scale projects ($2M+)
• Leadership of diverse teams of 20+
• Strong experience managing grant-funded projects and ensuring compliance

Highly Desirable:

• Tertiary qualifications in engineering or related fields
• Local government experience

Why this Role

This isn’t just a leadership role—it’s an extraordinary opportunity to drive meaningful change while enjoying significant lifestyle benefits. Alongside a competitive salary of $180–190k per annum plus superannuation, you’ll receive two return airfares per year between Cairns and Aurukun for you and your dependents, allowing you to stay connected with family or take a break when needed.

The Council provides fully furnished housing, complete with kitchen equipment, and covers utilities, electricity, and gas, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free living experience. You’ll also have access to a 4WD vehicle for both business and private use throughout North Queensland, offering the flexibility to explore the stunning region. With five weeks of Annual Leave, three weeks of Sick Leave, and eight days of Isolation Leave each year, you’ll have the time and space to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

This role offers the chance to immerse yourself in a beautiful and culturally rich community, where you’ll deliver transformative projects that leave a lasting legacy for the people of Aurukun!

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 Tuesday 4th February 2025 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.