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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