Mr Pickard began his career in local government in Western Australia in 2001. He served as an elected councillor with the City of Stirling from 2001 to 2005, and as Deputy Mayor from 2004 to 2005.
In 2006, Councillor Pickard was elected Mayor of the City of Joondalup. His significant contributions to both the City of Stirling and the City of Joondalup led to his re-election in 2009 and 2013.
Councillor Pickard also held prominent roles in broader local government organisations. He was the Deputy President of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) in 2007, a board member of the Australian Local Government Association, and was appointed to the Australian Council of Local Government in 2008.
In December 2022, the City of Joondalup council voted to rename the Warwick Hockey Centre in his honour, recognising his instrumental role in its establishment.
