Social Research

To support the development of knowledge, coordination and advocacy by the

Community Development team with respect to people in the Blue Mountains
- To support the functioning of the Stronger Families Alliance through management of

Shared Measurement System: Data Dashboard development and moderation; and
- To work with Council and the community to implement strategies that address priority

needs.

**RELATIONSHIPS
**Reports to**:Program Leader - Community & Social Planning

**Report to**:P00700

**Staff Responsibility**:Nil

**Key Internal Relationships**:Program Leader Community & Social Planning;
Community Development Officers for Children
and Family Services, Youth Services, and Aged
& Disability Services; Manager, Community,
Libraries & Customer Services branch;
Communications team and other relevant Council
officers.

**Key External Relationships**:Government service sector; community service
organisations; ABS and other government data
sources; and non-government data sources.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct, and report on, social research literature searches and analyses on issues as

identified by the Community Development Team.
- Collate and analyse data collected through social surveys, focus groups or other

information gathering tools.
- Access new knowledge, evidence and approaches, including evidence-based design

and outcome measurement systems.
- Develop, implement and evaluate social research data management systems,

including a Data Dashboard for the Stronger Families Alliance, Shared Measurement
Project.
- Prepare reports and evaluations of research, data and information to the Community

Development Team and Council.
- Update, promote and disseminate reports on community data collection for Community

Sector partners and the wider Blue Mountains Community.
- Assist in securing new resources for services and infrastructure.
- Assist in the promotion of the Community Development Teams initiatives, through the

preparation of media releases, Branch Meetings and other internal distribution.
- Implement and maintain Community Development Team’s online and social media

presence, in coordination with Corporate Communications and Marketing.
- Support the implementation of Council policies, programs and project activities that

respond to identified needs and issues for the community, with the Community
Development Team and other appropriate Council officers.
- Establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with other levels of

government, community groups and NGOs.
- Contribute to the delivery of Council’s sustainability goals.
- Assist in the implementation of best value decision making by maximising the

beneficial impacts of operations across Council.
- Support the Program Leader Community & Social Planning to enable the team to meet

its Business Plan objectives in line with Council’s current Operational and Strategic
Plans.
- Maintain allocated operational duties and Codes of Conduct in accordance with

Council procedures.

**Guiding Principles**
- We act as one organisation responding to the changing needs of our LGA and

community
- We are strategy led, driven by our Community Strategic Plan with clear priorities and

focus
- We are service focused - we continuously improve service provision and provide

excellent customer service
- We collaborate and work together to achieve our outcomes
- We ensure safety and well-being is at the centre of our organisation, operations and

culture
- We are a financially sustainable organisation, living within our means, ensuring best

value resource allocation
These Guidelines complement the Council’s adopted Values of: Work Together; Work
Safe Home Safe; Service Excellence; Value for Money; Trust and Respect; and,
Supporting Community.

**Workplace Health & Safety**

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Council’s
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to: identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and
in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety
aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations.

You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition you are required
at all times to comply with Council’s Asbestos Management Plan and Po