Position Description – Urban Planner
August 2025
Position title Urban Planner
Position number 1465, 1467, 1468, 1560, 1682
Classification (Level) Level 5
Department City Development
Division Development & Regulatory Services
Business unit Urban Planning
People Leader Team Leader Urban Planning
Urban Development Services Team, Development and
Regulatory Services Department and other departments as
necessary.
Key stakeholders Other Councils, members of the public, residents,
Development Assessment Panel Members 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 2024-2034 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...
Focus on the customer | We are: Our Community Vision
* 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 – Urban Planner
August 2025
Purpose
This position will be responsible for undertaking planning assessments in relation to all
forms of development applications.
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 organisation places a high emphasis on responsive customer service.
Key Deliverables
* Assess the Planning and Land Division stage of development applications,
undertaking any necessary procedural requirements.
* Exercise development assessment decision making powers in accordance with
Council's Delegation of Authority policy.
* 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 expert specialist advice to other Council officers and departments on
development application assessment issues.
* Prepare written reports to 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.
* Respond to requests from elected members and other business units in relation to
planning, development potential, enforcement, planning policy, building and general
information and advice.
* Attend to telephone, counter and written enquiries from the public and external
organisations with information relating to general development, development
potential, enforcement, planning policy and development assessment matters.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
* Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or demonstrated relevant experience.
* Detailed knowledge of the relevant planning and development legislation (specifically
as they relate to town planning matters).
* Sound knowledge of the Planning & Design Code.
A great place to work
Position Description – Urban Planner
August 2025
* Sound 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.
* Proven written and verbal communication skills.
* Proven ability to negotiate with customers, staff and other relevant parties to achieve
positive outcomes.
* Considerable experience in town planning and associated matters.
* Considerable experience in dealing with the public, elected members, developers,
consultants and representatives of other organisations in town planning matters.
* High capability and capacity to work remotely.
Desirable criteria
* Commitment to work within a team environment and participate effectively to
achieve agreed outcomes.
* Willingness to promote a positive image of Council.
* Determination to 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.
* 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, conference and court procedures.
* Working knowledge of Community Titles Act.
* Working knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety requirements.
* Developing knowledge of the Building Rules.
A great place to work
Position Description – Urban Planner
August 2025
* 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.
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.
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 Development 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
Position Description – Urban Planner
August 2025
A great place to work