City of West Torrens

Position Details

1. INTRODUCTION
The attached job description (JD) and associated information should not be considered as a
comprehensive, complete and/or exhaustive list of responsibilities, criteria or outcomes for the
position.
Instead, the JD is intended to offer a concise account of the general nature of the work that
Council requires to be undertaken, including the type and range of skills, qualifications and
experiences that the Council believes the incumbent should possess in order to competently
undertake the duties.

You can and will be asked to undertake duties within your competence, skills, abilities and
training that may not be mentioned in the attached documents.

The incumbent should be aware that their role and position within Council is dynamic.
Continuing development, change and improvement of processes, practices, knowledge, skills
and behaviours is highlighted and expected by the City Of West Torrens.

People and jobs develop over time, so the attached JD is a living document and your active
involvement in the evolution of the document is critical.
2. POSITION ENVIRONMENT
This position provides important and valued services that contribute towards Councils
objectives and goals for its community, which are clearly defined in its Towards 2025
Community Plan.

Councils Vision Committed to being the best place to live, work, and enjoy life
Councils Mission To strive for excellence in serving our diverse community.

Councils Community Plan

In addition to the Vision and Mission Statement, the Community Plan details Councils Values
and Aspirations, Strategies and Success Indicators, which together form an integral part of
Councils broad planning approach.
refer: http://www.westtorrens.sa.gov.au/Council/Our_City/Community_Plan

The Community Plan embraces a number of other specific plans such as Councils Financial
Plan, Economic Plan and individual Department Service Plans.

The Community Plans strategic directions and values will influence the annual service
delivery plans of each department within Council and the key performance indicators for
individual staff within those business units.

3. OUR CULTURE
'In our workplace we value and support each other and provide opportunities to excel.'
To achieve this Vision, we commit to the FITCOR values and the behaviours that further
define and support them
refer:http://www.westtorrens.sa.gov.au/Council/Employment_volunteering/Our_culture_values
Fun
Innovation and Integrity
Trust
Compassion
Openness
Respect

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 City of West Torrens
JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION NUMBER 1127

POSITION TITLE Development Officer - Planning

STREAM Administrative

CLASSIFICATION MOA Level 5

DEPARTMENT City Development Department

DIVISION Urban Services

1. PURPOSE
To ensure that development within the City is of a high quality, standard and function,
and achieves a high level of consistency with Statutory and Development Plan
requirements; and to assist in the achievement of a high quality of urban design and
amenity for residents, workers and visitors to the City.

2. POSITION OBJECTIVES
Ensure the statutory responsibilities under legislation for which the position is
accountable are fulfilled.
Provide professional and technical advice on urban planning and development.
Ensure all work undertaken is of a professional quality, and meets timelines.
Ensure accurate and quality reports, documentation and records in relation to all
activities and procedures.
Work as part of a team to fulfil a range of duties relating to urban planning and
development.
Contribute to the operation of the team and put forward suggestions for change
that will achieve improvements to culture, quality, process, outputs and
outcomes.
Constructively contribute to decision-making in the City Development functional
area, and to participate in cultural change to achieve desired outcomes.
Ensure quality customer service about urban planning and development to all
who interface with the team; ensure courteous good public relations and
achieving a favourable image of Council in dealings with all customer and
partners.
Liaise with other functional areas and teams to provide and receive specialist
advice on a range of issues and projects.

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Job Description Development Officer - Planning

Maintain a good working relationship between customers and partners, the

public at large, Elected Members and other levels of Government.

3. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Respond promptly and effectively to customer enquiries.
Communicate with land agents, lawyers, members of the public and council staff
on Section 7 matters and general enquiries.
Provide information kits relevant to the appropriate kind of development for which
advice is sought.
Receive development applications, check that all required forms and documents
have been supplied, all fees paid, and record new applications on Councils
relevant software application, create development files, and forward
acknowledgement letters within the defined time frame.
Ensure that incoming development applications and documentation are lodged,
scanned, registered and tasked within defined time frames.
Preparation of public notification for relevant applications, and collate responses
within the defined time frame.
Undertake the internal and external development application consultation
process, and ensure timely responses are received.
Ensure decision notifications are dispatched in the defined time frame.
Ensure final document application certification and approved plans are scanned
and registered in a timely manner.
Assist proponents prepare planning and building aspects of development
applications by responding promptly and effectively to enquiries about the
Development Act and Regulations, Development Plan and other matters.
Assess and report on development proposals in accordance with legislative and
the Development Plan, and provide professional and technical advice to Council
and the community.
Implement and administer relevant legislation under Councils control,
particularly:
o Development Act 1993
o Community Titles Act 1996
o Environment Protection Act 1993
o Local Government Act 1999
o Land and Business Conveyancing Act 1994
Ensure the processing of development applications occurs effectively and
efficiently with the thorough documentation and completion of all records,
reports, and agenda items for the Council Development Assessment Panel, and
approvals within determined timelines.
Liaison with all internal and external professionals and agencies on development
applications so as to fully consider and report their views in the assessment
process.
When required undertake computer based development application data entry,
and use the system for the generation of correspondence and reports.
Participate in the ongoing monitoring and review of the performance of the
Development Assessment team, including collection of data and suggesting
initiatives for improvement.

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Job Description Development Officer - Planning

Investigate complaints of alleged breaches of legislation and negotiate resolution

or prepare documentation and evidence for prosecutions as may be necessary.
Keep abreast of best practice and current work trends and assist identify
opportunities for improving the provision of statutory planning services.
Contribute as a member of a multi-disciplinary team within Council by addressing
and resolving a range of urban development and planning issues.
Attend Compulsory Conferences, and prepare statements and appear before the
Environment Resources and Development Court on appeal matters.

4. REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

4.1 Qualifications
Essential
Tertiary qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning; or substantially
completed tertiary qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning with
comprehensive experience within the discipline.
Current Class 1 Drivers Licence.

4.2 Personal Skills

Essential
Competence to set work task priorities, manage time effectively and to meet
timelines.
Competence to read and interpret drawings and details relating to
development applications.
Good verbal and written communication skills characterised by patience,
clarity and accuracy.
Very good interpersonal skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.
Well developed problem solving and mediation skills.
Competence to develop and maintain sound working relationships with a
diverse team and work as an effective member of a team.
Well developed and effective customer service skills.
Possess commitment to the principles and practice of:
o Work, health and safety
o Equal Employment Opportunity
o Quality management and continuous improvement.

4.3 Experience
Essential
Considerable experience in urban planning and development assessment.
Considerable experience in the preparation of briefing papers, reports and
general correspondence.

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Job Description Development Officer - Planning

4.4 Knowledge
Essential
Considerable knowledge of the Development Act 1993 and Regulations 2008,
the Development Plan and other legislation related to the Development
Assessment function.
A sound knowledge of personal computers, relevant software and their
applications.
Desirable
Knowledge of the Local Government Act and Council Policies applicable to
the activities of the position.
Some knowledge of statutory requirements relating to Work Health and Safety
Legislation and Equal Opportunity.

4.5 Special Conditions/Requirements

Will be required to work outside normal business hours.
Ability to deal with a number of issues and projects concurrently.
Committed to Customer Service principles and practices.
The employee accepts Council may require the incumbent to carry out other
duties as directed which are commensurate your skills and competence and
within the appropriate classification level.

5. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to the Coordinator City Development - Planning.

6. AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The position exercises considerable autonomy, and the extent will depend upon
the level at which the appointment is made.
Freedom to act within defined established practices, and authorised delegations.
The position is accountable to the Manager, City Development for implementing
the position objectives as detailed.

7. WORK HEALTH SAFETY

You must take reasonable care to protect your own health and safety, and the health
and safety of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work.
In particular, you must:

Comply with statutory and organisational requirements, procedures and rules

introduced to protect the health and safety of people at the workplace including
the public.
Use equipment provided to protect health and safety.
Follow reasonable instructions given on health and safety.
Ensure you are not affected by alcohol or another drug so as to endanger
yourself or others.
Report accidents injuries, property damage and health and safety incidents.

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Job Description Development Officer - Planning

Participate in activities associated with the management of workplace health and

safety.

8. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The performance of the incumbent will be measured by:
Achievements in accordance with the City Development Service Plan and the
incumbents Performance Development Program (PDP).
The extent to which the stated objectives are achieved.
The extent to which key responsibilities are achieved.
The quality of reports and advice provided to the GM Urban Service, Manager
City Development, Coordinator City Development - Planning, Elected Members,
the Development Assessment Panel and the public.
Levels of professional expertise.
Achieving best practice levels and continuous improvements.
Contribution to cultural changes that occurs within the tea,
Meeting timelines for works undertaken.
The reputation held within the Community for providing effective service.

DATE OF APPOINTMENT :

PREPARED BY : Manager City Development

DATE ISSUED : June 2017

OCCUPANT : ________________________

APPROVED BY GM : ________________________

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