Building Surveyor or Senior Town Planner
Location /Branch/
Department:
Katoomba office;
Environment & Planning Services Directorate
Salary Band: 9-10
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: Guide and mentor others in area/s of expertise.
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 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
Band 9
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.
Band 10
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.
The person in this position will need to contribute significantly to the development and review
of workflow procedures to ensure timely, accurate and consistent approaches are
undertaken within activities connected to the specialist functional areas of the position.
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.
APPOINTMENT & PROGRESSION
Applicants are required to address the capability criteria at either Band 9 or 10 based on the
best match with their qualifications, skills and experience.
CAPABILITY CRITERIA – Band 9
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 – Unrestricted
Building Surveyor – Restricted (all classes of building)
Building Surveyor – Restricted (class 1 and 10 buildings).
A current drivers licence.
Job knowledge
In depth personal experience and knowledge across a range of work related
issues including understanding of contemporary legislation, statutes and
codes and the high level application of that knowledge in the context of the
profession and the local environment.
Technology use
A proven record of using and integrating new technology, knowledge and
skills into work practices and procedures to achieve established work
standards.
COLLABORATION Communication
Record of simplifying complex information, sharing experience, knowledge
and best practice with team members and promoting the group / Divisional
and organisational outcomes.
Conflict management
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.
REPUTATION /
INTEGRITY
Outcome orientation
A high-level working knowledge of complex issues affecting land use
management in a local environment including ways to minimise impacts and
how outcomes link to Council's strategic planning documents.
Personal accountability
Demonstrated commitment in accepting responsibility for monitoring,
managing and reporting on progress of work and achievement against
established work standards.
Analytical thinking
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.
PEOPLE Teamwork and collaboration
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with and support members of
own and other teams to achieve work objectives.
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.
CAPABILITY CRITERIA – Band 10
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 – Unrestricted
Building Surveyor – Restricted (all classes of building)
Building Surveyor – Restricted (class 1 and 10 buildings).
Plus, highly recognised / specialised skills or additional qualifications in the
relevant field or in a related discipline such law, fire engineering, bushfire,
urban design or environmental management / science.
A current drivers licence.
Job knowledge
Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, statutes and codes; and applied
knowledge across a range of assessment / regulatory or building certification
issues such as the principles and practices of environmental management,
urban design and character assessment, heritage, water quality, bush fire
protection, building fire safety, health and amenity and accessibility. Expert
knowledge in a relevant field and experience in the preparation and
execution of complex legal matters.
Technology use
A proven record of using and integrating new technology, knowledge and
skills into work practices and procedures to achieve established work
standards.
Continuous learning
Demonstrated awareness of emerging trends/ developments and experience
in adapting to new legislation and industry movements.
COLLABORATION
Communication
Demonstrated experience in communicating complex issues clearly and
credibly with widely varied audiences. Proactive feedback and use of
appropriate communication medium to gain timely / quality outcomes for
Council, the client and the community.
Conflict management
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.
REPUTATION /
INTEGRITY
Outcome focus
A high-level working knowledge of complex issues affecting land use
management in a local environment including ways to minimise impacts and
how outcomes link to Council's strategic planning documents.
Personal accountability
Proactive demonstrated commitment in accepting responsibility for
monitoring, managing and reporting on progress of work to achieve or
exceed established work standards with a view to continuous improvement.
PEOPLE
Builds capability & realises potential
Coaches, guides and promotes skill sharing to fellow team members in
the relevant specialist field of expertise.
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.