A place to begin, a place to belong, a place to grow

Rewrite your future on the coast

Spanning an area the size of Canberra, Central Coast Council supports a thriving and growing community. With its mix of career opportunity, natural beauty, and strong local spirit, it’s a place where people come to build something meaningful.

Careers at Council recently caught up with Karen Mortimer, Talent Acquisition Lead Specialist at Central Coast Council, to find out what makes this council, and this region, such a compelling place to live and work.

Start anywhere, go everywhere

Central Coast Council is the third-largest council in New South Wales, with a permanent team of nearly 1,900 people, supported by casual, temporary, and contract roles. From lifeguards and childcare educators to engineers, planners, and operational crew members, the diversity of career paths reflects the broad responsibilities the council holds.

“We’ve got around 57 trainees, apprentices, cadets, or undergraduates at any one time,” says Karen. “That’s a growing pool we’re really investing in. With over 50% of our workforce now over 55, we need to be building capability for the future.”

Career development is built into the culture here. A plant operator studying engineering becomes a surveyor. A pool receptionist transitions into HR. Apprentices grow into unit managers and directors.

“It happens because we support people to try new things, gain qualifications, and put their hand up when new roles or secondments come up,” Karen explains. “We actively encourage movement and growth from within.”

From formal training support to informal mentorship, Central Coast Council offers a range of ways for people to grow their skills and careers. Employees can access:

• Study assistance and TAFE or tertiary training support
• On-the-job learning via secondments or project-based work
• Development planning as part of their performance reviews
• Internal mobility, including pathways into leadership roles.

Karen explains, “We want people to feel empowered to shape their own journey. If they see a project that excites them or want to move in a different direction, we’ll work with them to make it happen.”

A vision grounded in optimism

In 2023, Central Coast Council launched a refreshed employee value proposition (EVP) with the theme ‘Rewrite the Future’. It wasn’t developed in isolation. Every part of the organisation from operational staff and child educators, to library workers, administration teams, and executive leaders, had the opportunity to shape its direction.

“We spoke to people from every business unit,” says Karen. “Our people felt deeply passionate about the community and hopeful about what we could achieve together. It wasn’t about what the council could give them, but what they could give back.”

‘Rewrite the Future’ reflects that optimism, and the idea that everyone has a role to play in improving how services are delivered and how the community is supported.

Work that works for you

Flexibility is a core part of how people work at Central Coast Council. Many roles offer hybrid working (up to two days from home), flexible hours, or compressed work weeks.

“We’ve got people finishing early to do the school pick-up, others doing four long days for a three-day weekend,” says Karen. “And for people approaching retirement, working three days a week opens up a mentoring opportunity for someone new.”

The council avoids the traditional phrase ‘work-life balance’ in favour of ‘balance your life,’ acknowledging that the right rhythm is unique to each person. “Balance looks different for everyone,” Karen says. “Whether you’re young and out there living your best life, or older and winding down your career, we want your work to fit around what matters to you.”

A culture built on kindness and contribution

When asked what makes a great Central Coast Council employee, Karen doesn’t start with qualifications. Initiative, innovation, and emotional intelligence are valued just as much as technical skills.

“It’s about values,” she explains. “Kindness, resilience, humility, and a genuine drive to improve things. That’s the heartbeat of this council.” she says. “Yes, of course we’ve got talented technical experts – but it’s that drive to improve things that really makes the difference.”

Karen recalls interviewing candidates who shared stories of overcoming setbacks, leading teams, or making small changes with big impact. These stories show the kind of tenacity and community-mindedness the council looks for.

Balance your life at Central Coast Council

With more than 40 beaches, national parks, lakes, and scenic walking tracks, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of life outside the office on the Central Coast.

Karen, who moved from Sydney, says the decision was driven by lifestyle. “We didn’t have jobs lined up – we just knew we wanted to live here. Within 10 minutes, I can be at the beach, the bush, or the lake. That balance is something you just don’t get in the city.”

The area offers a warm, connected community without sacrificing access to services. With a population nearing 350,000, it’s large enough to be vibrant and varied, but small enough to feel grounded. As the council continues to evolve, Karen is most excited about the growing partnership between council staff and the community.

“We’re helping build a better region, and we want people who care about that journey to come and be part of it,” she says.

Explore the wide-range of current opportunities at Central Coast Council and discover a career, and lifestyle, that works for you.