Local Government professionals operate in a challenging environment of increasing regulation, complexity and political considerations and financial constraints.

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General Manager

The General Managers is the most senior employee of a council and is the only member of staff selected and appointed by Councillors. The General Manager is appointed on a renewable, fixed term, performance based contract for a maximum of five years.

Under the Act the General Manager's responsibilities include:

  • Efficient and effective operation of the council organisation and day-to-day management. This includes ensuring council decisions and policies are implemented.
  • Appointing, directing and dismissing staff in accordance with an organisational structure and resources approved by the council
  • Implementing council's equal opportunity management plan
  • Exercising other functions as delegated by the council.

The General Manager may, in turn, delegate functions to other staff.

The General Manager provices the primary link between Councillors and the organisation. Much like a CEO in business, they are responsible for the overall strategic and operational management of the organisation.

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Directors

Directors usually form the second tier of management within Local Government. Their role is usually to lead a department such as Corporate Services, Community Services, Environmental Services or Engineering Services. As part of the Executive Management team (ManEx), they work with general managers to ensure that council decisions and policies are implemented.

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Typical roles within Local Government

NSW Local Government employs over 50,000 staff in a wide range of vocations and roles.

While each council will have a different structure and therefore different employment opportunities there are five general departments/areas of work:

  • Corporate Services
  • Community and Economic Development
  • Development and Environmental Services
  • Engineering and Technical Services
  • Operational Works

For more information about typical roles within NSW Local Government, visit the LGSAplus Website.