Job Description
Full job description
Ensure improved community, environment and development standards of the built and
natural environments in the Blue Mountains by applying environmental health and
building expertise in a proactive manner.
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to (Position Title): Principal – Development Monitoring Team
Report to (Position Number): P00061
Staff Responsibility: NIL
Key Internal Relationships: Investigation Officers, Fire Safety Compliance
Officers, 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.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fire Safety
Take a key role in managing Council’s Fire Safety Statement program
under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
Investigate and resolve complaints or inquiries on fire safety protection
issues.
Provide specialist Building Code of Australia (BCA) advice on the
construction of commercial premises and issues associated with building
fire safety.
Footpath Awnings
Take a key role in managing Council’s footpath awnings program
Investigate and resolve complaints or inquiries in relation to footpath
awning issues.
Development Monitoring and compliance
Apply high level, specialist knowledge to undertake investigations into
breaches of legislation including, but not limited to the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act, Protection of the Environment and
Operations Act, and the Local Government Act.
Work with the Principal - Development Monitoring Team to develop
processes and guidelines and to provide specialist input relating to various
aspects of investigations.
Take a lead role in the more significant investigations.
Routinely undertake pro-active aspects of development monitoring and
assist in achieving the related Key Performance Indicators for the team.
Represent Council in legal proceedings, including the preparation of legal
evidence on behalf of Council, in liaison with Council solicitors.
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 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 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 lead discussion, carry out negotiations and make presentations 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
This position has a high level of independence in using judgement and resolving
problems with minimal guidance. Problems can be multi-faceted requiring detailed
analysis of a range of available options to solve issues where solutions are not clear
cut. This will require the person to have a thorough knowledge of matters that affect
land use management in the Blue Mountains as well as possessing an extensive
knowledge of relevant legislation and Council policies. The person in this position will
need to develop and review workflow procedures to ensure timely, accurate and
consistent approaches are undertaken within activities connected to the functional
areas of the position.
Judgement and problem solving at this level carries significant responsibility and
professional liability and the Council and customers rely on its quality and accuracy.
The position will be required to manage complex applications and determine legal
approaches after considering technical, legal and policy requirements.
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 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.
SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
ESSENTIAL
Degree qualification or advanced diploma in building surveying or a related
discipline.
Current NSW Class C Drivers License or equivalent
Demonstrated ability to present appropriate information in a clear and concise
manner, both verbally and in writing – including experience in adapting
communication to suit the target audience.
Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills, including the capacity to
handle difficult and irate people, and the ability to take action to avoid / reduce
potential conflict.
Demonstrated commitment in accepting responsibility for monitoring,
managing and reporting on progress of work and achievement against
established work standards.
Demonstrated ability to analyse problems and proactively resolve issues that
involve a number of competing priorities with minimal guidance by drawing on
extensive personal experience and knowledge.
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.
DESIRABLE
Experience in a role directly involving the investigation of breaches of
legislation.
Accreditation or eligibility for accreditation as a ‘building surveyor –
unrestricted’ or ‘building surveyor – restricted (all classes of buildings).
Experience administering a fire safety program and/or footpath awning
program in a local government setting.
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