Development Assessment Officer

Surveyor or Town Planner

Location /Branch/

Department:

Katoomba office: Environment & Planning

Services Directorate

Salary Band: 7-8

POSITION PURPOSE

Ensure excellent built and environmental outcomes in the Blue Mountains through development

assessment and related services.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Program Leader

Staff Responsibility: Nil

Key Internal Relationships: Town Planners, Environmental Health & Building

Surveyors, Engineers, Environmental Scientists

Landscape Assessors, Technical Assistants and

Customer Service staff.

Key External Relationships: Residents and other members of the community;

Government authorities, applicants for

development, consultants, Council's legal advisors.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Development assessment

Assess and determine applications that contribute to the environment and character of the Blue

Mountains.

Depending on skills and qualifications the position may also rotate through or contribute to the

following areas:

Development advice

Provide verbal and written development advice to prospective applicants.

Building certification

Provide certification services to the clients of Blue Mountains City Council.

Development monitoring and compliance

Provide high level specialist knowledge and skills to resolve complex land use compliance

matters.

Workplace Health & Safety

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils 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

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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 Councils Asbestos

Management Plan and Policy.

Compliance & Risk

You are responsible for ensuring that you conduct your risk management responsibilities as

described in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the ERM

Framework) with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and reported in a timely

manner.

In undertaking your work should you identify contaminated land or potentially contaminated land,

including but not limited to Asbestos contamination you are required to notify your supervisor

immediately.

COMMUNICATION

The person will communicate with a wide range of people in a variety of internal and external

settings. The person will receive, interpret, and act upon written and verbal information and provide

a response in both written and verbal forms. The person will need to be able to carry out

negotiations and make representations in areas of functional responsibility. The role will require

persons to represent and clearly articulate Council's position in negotiations and discussions with

external parties and organisations.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

Band 7

The person in this position will need to develop and review workflow procedures to ensure the

timely, accurate and consistent delivery of tasks associated with the functional areas of the

position. This will involve the person having a sound knowledge of relevant legislation, Council

policies and the ability to resolve problems within clearly defined guidelines. The person will

implement and review procedures and provide input and advice to the Branch and the Directorate

within the functional area of responsibility.

Band 8

Positions have a high level of independence in solving problems and using judgement in resolving

issues. Problems can be multi-faceted requiring detailed analysis of available options. This will

require the person to possess an extensive knowledge of relevant legislation and Council policies.

The person will implement and review procedures and provide input and advice to the Branch and

the Directorate within the functional area of responsibility.

AUTHORITY

Delegation to act as an authorised officer to undertake a wide range of tasks and duties on behalf

of Council in accordance with relevant legislation applicable to the functional areas of responsibility

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for the position. The person will also undertake a professional advisory role to people within or

outside of Council. Decisions and advice may commit the council and have a significant impact

upon external parties dealing with Council.

APPOINTMENT

Applicants are required to address the capability criteria at either Band 7 or 8, based on the best

match with their qualifications, skills and experience.

CAPABILITY CRITERIA – Band 7

SKILLS & JOB

KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Degree or post graduate qualifications in town planning, or

Recognised tertiary qualifications preferably at the degree level in environmental

health and building surveying or an associated discipline; and registration under

the Building and Development Certifiers Act as a:

Building Surveyor – Restricted (class 1 and 10 buildings).

A current drivers licence.

Job knowledge

Applied knowledge across a range of issues including understanding of

relevant legislation, statutes and codes.

Technology use

Demonstrated computing skills, including the accurate generation and completion

of documents using a variety of software applications.

COLLABORATION Communication

Demonstrated ability to present appropriate information in a clear and concise

manner, both verbally and in writing.

Conflict management

Developing conflict resolution and negotiation skills, including an ability to deal

with difficult and irate people.

REPUTATION /

INTEGRITY

Outcome orientation

Good observation and monitoring skills, including the ability to identify

breaches in legislation, local policy and /or codes.

PEOPLE Teamwork and collaboration

Experience in building positive working relationships and working collaboratively

rather than competitively.

Client focus

A proven record of providing excellent customer service including responding to

customer needs and keeping individual clients up to date with information and

decisions that affect them.

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CAPABILITY CRITERIA – Band 8

SKILLS & JOB

KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Degree or post graduate qualifications in town planning, or

Recognised tertiary qualifications preferably at the degree level in environmental

health and building surveying or an associated discipline; and registration under

the Building and Development Certifiers Act as a:

Building Surveyor – Restricted (class 1 and 10 buildings).

A current drivers licence.

Job knowledge

Applied knowledge across a range of issues including understanding of

relevant legislation, statutes and codes.

Technology use

Demonstrated computing skills, including the accurate generation and completion

of documents using a variety of software applications.

COLLABORATION Communication

Experience in adapting content, style, tone and medium of communication to

suit the target audience's language and level of understanding.

Conflict management

Developing conflict resolution and negotiation skills, including an ability to deal

with difficult and irate people.

REPUTATION /

INTEGRITY

Outcome orientation

Good observation and monitoring skills, including the ability to identify

breaches in legislation, local policy and /or codes.

Personal accountability

Demonstrated commitment in accepting responsibility for monitoring, managing

and reporting on progress of work and achievement against established work

standards.

PEOPLE Teamwork and collaboration

Experience in building positive working relationships and working collaboratively

rather than competitively.

Client focus

A proven record of providing excellent customer service including responding to

customer needs and keeping individual clients up to date with information and

decisions that affect them.

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