AQUATIC AND SPORTS VENUES OFFICER

Personnel Area: Sport & Recreation

Branch: Community & the Arts Services

Salary Range: Band 6, $116,089 to $128,453 + Superannuation

Remuneration stated is for the full-time position

Work type: Temporary Full-time

Duration: Up to 24 months (Extension/s thereafter but not guaranteed)

Location: Brisbane Square, 266 George Street.

Our Business

Brisbane City Council provides a diverse range of sport and recreation opportunities, facilities and services that support Brisbane residents to lead active, healthy and connected lives.

With Australia's largest local government aquatic facility portfolio, Council plays a significant role in providing accessible swimming, recreation, sport, learn-to-swim and fitness opportunities across Brisbane.

Our aquatic facilities are valued community assets, supporting participation, wellbeing and connection for residents of all ages and abilities.

Our Branch

Sport and Recreation supports the planning, management and delivery of sport and recreation facilities, programs and services across Brisbane.

Within the branch, the Aquatic Venues team oversees Council's aquatic network of 21 facilities and 67 pool basins.

The team works collaboratively with facility operators, contractors, community stakeholders and internal Council teams to support the effective operation and management of these facilities.

Our focus is on ensuring these facilities are safe, compliant, well-maintained and effectively managed, while supporting positive community outcomes and the long-term sustainability of Council's aquatic network.

The Role

Have you spent years lifeguarding, managing aquatic centres or working in aquatic facility operations? Are you ready to apply the skills and experience you've developed on the ground in a different way?

We have an exciting opportunity for an Aquatic and Sports Venues Officer to join our Aquatic Venues team at Brisbane City Council.

This role offers a unique opportunity to transition from the day-to-day operation of aquatic facilities into the broader world of leasing, contract management, compliance and facility oversight.

Drawing on your practical understanding of aquatic operations, you'll work across Council's aquatic network, building relationships with facility operators and internal stakeholders, monitoring contractual and operational obligations, supporting facility maintenance and compliance, and contributing to the ongoing improvement of our venues.

Rather than managing a single aquatic centre, you'll gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of facilities and a broader range of operational, contractual and strategic matters.

Your aquatic operations experience is a significant asset. Understanding the challenges of running facilities, leading teams, maintaining safety standards and delivering quality community services provides a strong foundation for success in this role.

If you're passionate about the aquatic industry, have strong communication and relationship management skills, and want to broaden your experience while continuing to make a positive impact on community facilities, we'd love to hear from you.

As part of the Aquatic Venues team, you will:

• build and maintain positive working relationships with Council’s aquatic facility operators, internal teams, contractors and other stakeholders
• support the management and oversight of leases, licences and contractual arrangements across Council’s aquatic venue network
• monitor facility performance and work collaboratively with operators to address operational, compliance and service delivery matters
• undertake venue inspections and audits and provide practical advice relating to aquatic operations, safety, compliance and service delivery
• use your industry knowledge and operational experience to identify issues, develop practical solutions and support continuous improvement across the network
• respond to customer enquiries, complaints and operational matters, working with facility operators and Council stakeholders to achieve appropriate outcomes
• support complex contract administration matters, including negotiations, variations, compliance requirements and contractual issues
• analyse operational, financial and performance information and prepare reports, recommendations and briefings
• work closely with Council’s asset and facility teams to support the ongoing management and improvement of aquatic facilities
• contribute to projects and initiatives that help shape the future management and operation of Council’s aquatic venue network.

About You

We are looking for someone who understands what it takes to operate and manage aquatic facilities and is ready to apply that experience in a broader venue management and oversight environment. You will bring a combination of practical industry knowledge, strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• demonstrated experience in aquatic operations, recreation, sport, venue management or facility operations
• a sound understanding of aquatic facility operations, including safety, compliance, maintenance and service delivery
• the ability to apply operational knowledge to contract management, compliance monitoring and facility performance
• strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with facility operators, contractors and internal stakeholders
• the confidence to navigate complex operational issues, resolve concerns and manage competing stakeholder expectations
• sound analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify risks, assess information and develop practical solutions
• strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, professional correspondence, reports and briefings
• excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate matters across multiple facilities and stakeholders.

Please Note: A current C Class driver's licence and Criminal History Check are required for this position.

It would be advantageous to have:

• relevant qualifications or substantial experience in aquatics, sport and recreation, facility management, contract management, auditing, risk management, WHS or a related field
• experience with leases, licences, contracts, audits, risk assessments or regulatory compliance
• knowledge and practical application of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO), particularly aquatic supervision and facility safety
• knowledge and practical application of the Queensland Health Water Quality Guidelines for Public Aquatic Facilities
• relevant industry qualifications, such as a Diploma of Sport, Aquatics and Recreation Management, Aquatic Technical Operator qualification or equivalent
• experience in local government, the public sector or managing multiple facilities.

Application Questions

1.      Provide an overview of your aquatic industry experience, including facility types, roles held and responsibility for operations, staff, safety, compliance, incidents and stakeholder management.

2.      Describe your experience with aquatic plant room operations and maintenance, including plant and equipment used, and responsibility for water treatment, filtration, chemical dosing, maintenance and troubleshooting.

3.      Describe your knowledge and application of the Royal Life Saving Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO), particularly aquatic supervision and patron safety. How have you applied these requirements?

4.      Describe your knowledge and application of the Queensland Health Water Quality Guidelines for Public Aquatic Facilities. How have you used these guidelines to manage water quality, monitoring, treatment or corrective actions?

5.      Describe your experience with contracts, leases, licences or other formal agreements. Provide an example of monitoring performance or compliance, managing an issue, or working with a contractor, operator or stakeholder to achieve an outcome.

*Eligibility for internal only roles includes external applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and/or as a person living with a disability. Applicants from these groups are required to complete the diversity and inclusion questions on the application form to enable Council to determine eligibility.

For more information: Please call Robert Payie on 07 3178 3950

People from diverse backgrounds, including those living with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who may have questions about the recruitment process or working at Council, are encouraged to reach out to the contact above, who can connect you with a member of Council’s Diversity and Inclusion team.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 22 November, 2026 at 11:55pm AEST.

Brisbane City Council is a multi-award winning accessible and inclusive workplace where our people represent the diverse communities we serve, are supported, and can feel safe. Council has been awarded Employer of the Year at the National Disability Awards and has been recognised multiple times with ‘Gold Employer’ status from the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTI inclusion.