Senior Urban Planner

Position Description – Senior Urban Planner

September 2025

Position title Senior Urban Planner

Position number 1200, 1576

Classification (Level) Level 6

Department City Development

Division Development & Regulatory Services

Business unit Urban Planning

People Leader Team Leader Urban Planning

Urban Planning Team, Development and Regulatory Services

department and other internal departments as necessary,

Key stakeholders other Councils, members of the public, residents, Council

Assessment Panel, State Government departments and

related organisations

Community Vision: A liveable, sustainable community.

The strategic directions of Liveable, Sustainable, and Community reflect the aspirations of

the community for the City of Marion's future.

A fourth strategic direction, Our Organisation, sets the focus for Council and its staff toward

fulfilling the Community Vision and Strategic Directions. These interconnected

directions emphasise a commitment to achieving holistic outcomes for the council area

City of Marion Values

Our Values inform what is important in how we deliver for our community.

They aspire towards a consistent standard that can be expected from all who engage with

the City of Marion.

Together we… Our Community Vision

Focus on the customer | We are:

• Engaged with our diverse community
• Responsive and proactive
• Dedicated to delivering great customer

experiences

Engage with respect | We are:

• Committed to a safe and inclusive workplace
• Connected, caring and professional
• Honest, transparent and act with integrity

Embrace excellence | We are:

• Adaptable, driven and continuously improve

• Accountable for our decisions and actions
• Proactive in sustainability and support the

environment

A great place to work

Position Description – Senior Urban Planner

September 2025

Purpose

This position will be responsible for undertaking planning assessments in relation to all

types and categories of development applications, but in particular, the more complex

applications received by the City of Marion.

The organisation places a high emphasis on integrity in assessment, decision making and

responsive customer service. The officer is expected to be able to work as part of a team and

independently, with limited supervision and utilise a high level of interpersonal skills in

dealing with the public and other organisations.

The Senior Urban Planner is expected to be a mentor to other team members providing

guidance and direction for the team with a commitment to the betterment of the operations

of the department and Council as a whole.

Key Deliverables

• Assess the Planning and Land Division Consent stage of development applications,

undertaking any necessary procedural requirements.

• Exercise development assessment decision making powers in accordance with the

relevant Delegation of Authority policies whilst maintaining consistency with team

and organisational approaches.

• Ensuring the consistent interpretation of the relevant planning policies and other

relevant legislation and maintain consistency with organisational approaches.

• Support the Team Leader Urban Planning in the running of the team and act in the

role on occasion.

• Support the Team Leader Urban Planning in the preparation of development

assessment reports to the Marion Council Assessment Panel (CAP) and their role as

the Executive Officer of the CAP.

• Support the Team Leader in the internal peer review of applications as outlined

within the Internal Development Delegations Policy and assist with complex

applications/projects.

• Where required, provide support to the Senior Strategic and Policy Planner through

planning policy related research, projects and reporting

• Negotiate with applicants, architects, developers, and the public to achieve positive

development outcomes.

• Instruct and brief Council's solicitors on development assessment and compliance

matters, and represent Council at the Environment, Resources and Development

Court regarding development assessment matters.

• Provide leadership and high-level advice to Elected Members, the public and external

organisations relating to general development, development potential and

development assessment process matters.

A great place to work

Position Description – Senior Urban Planner

September 2025

• Prepare written reports to the Council Assessment Panel (CAP) on the assessment of

development applications, including recommendations or written reports to Council

on liquor licence applications or other matters relevant to the department.

• Attendance at CAP and Council meetings as required.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or demonstrated relevant experience.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the PDI Act 2016, PDI Regulations 2017 and Planning

and Design Code (specifically as they relate to town planning matters).

• Detailed knowledge of other associated or related legislation relevant to urban

planning matters.

• Detailed knowledge of the development assessment process and the procedures

involved in urban planning matters.

• Ability to analyse and interpret drawings, documents and specifications, legislation

and regulations relating to the development and use of land and buildings.

• Appropriate keyboard and computer skills, with particular reference to the current

systems Council utilises in file management and assessment.

• Ability to identify workplace priorities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to negotiate with customers, staff and other relevant parties to achieve

positive outcomes.

• Considerable experience in dealing with the public, elected members, developers,

consultants and representatives of other organisations in town planning matters.

Desirable criteria

• Commitment to work within a team environment and participate effectively to

achieve agreed outcomes.

• Eligibility to qualify for Planning Level 1 – Assessment Manager Accreditation (if

required).

• Willingness to promote a positive image of Council and pursue issues identified as

important by the organisation.

• Demonstration of an understanding of and commitment to customer service

philosophies, values and practices.

• Demonstration of a commitment to continuous self-improvement and professional

development.

A great place to work

Position Description – Senior Urban Planner

September 2025

• Demonstration of a commitment to identify innovative solutions to improve and

provide a best practice approach to development assessment and internal

processes.

• Sound knowledge and understanding of recent trends in planning practices and

Environment, Resource and Development Court determinations and their

implications and significance with respect to development assessment and planning

policy.

• Working knowledge of the Liquor Licencing Act, Community Titles Act and conference

and court procedures.

• Working knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety requirements.

• Developing knowledge of the Building Rules.

• Organisational, time management and programming skills, ability to set priorities and

meet deadlines and to arrive at effective recommendations.

• Capacity to encourage various bodies to come together and overcome problems.

• Prioritisation of Council requirements, ethos and consistency in advice and decision

making.

Standard conditions

• Satisfactory completion of a National Police Clearance (will be arranged by the City of

Marion)

• Satisfactory completion of applicable Medical Assessment (will be arranged by the

City of Marion)

• Must be either an Australian resident or possess the legal right to work in Australia,

with the ability to provide documentation of a valid work visa.

• Comply with existing Work, Health and Safety legislation and regulation obligations and

apply "Think Safe Live Well" philosophy.

• Embrace ethical and moral behavior and report any suspected instances of fraud

and/or corruption in accordance with Fraud and Corruption Management and the

Code of Conduct.

• Adhere to the City of Marion Values.

• The incumbent will perform other duties as required.

A great place to work

Position Description – Senior Urban Planner

September 2025

Other conditions specific to the role

• Must hold a valid, full (unrestricted) driver's license in accordance with South

Australian requirements.

• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights (for site inspection).

• Occasional out of hours attendance at Council meetings, training or other duties;

• Regular attendance at Council Assessment Panel meetings (maximum 2 per month),

beyond 38-hour working week.

Position description confirmation and acknowledgement

New employee acknowledgement

By signing the 'City of Marion Employment Acceptance Statement' in your Letter of Offer, you

are agreeing to the Position Description attached to your Offer.

Employee name: Signature: Date:

Leader name: Signature: Date:

HR name: Signature: Date:

A great place to work