Title:Planning Compliance Officer

Classification:Band 5

Department:Statutory Planning & Building Services

Division:City Planning and Infrastructure

Reports To:Team Leader – Planning Compliance

Enquiries:Bill Howitt, Team Leader Planning Compliance, 9705 5200

  1. Position Purpose

»Ensure that the provisions of the Casey Planning Scheme, Planning Permits, and Section 173 Agreements are compliant as required by the Planning and Environment Act, 1987.

»Educate the community and developers in relation to planning and local law, to raise the level of awareness of planning controls, and bring about a higher level of compliance throughout the municipality.

  1. Key Responsibility Areas

»Investigate alleged breaches of the Casey Planning Scheme, Planning Permits, Section 173 Agreements and relevant Local Laws and take appropriate remedial action to bring about compliance along with holding those responsible accountable where appropriate.

»Take action to bring about compliance as required including the utilisation of the Infringements Act provisions and other notices in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act, Infringements Act and Council's Local Laws.

»Provide advice to the Team Leader – Planning Compliance and other Planning Officers on enforcement related issues.

»Carry out proactive periodic inspections in priority environmentally sensitive areas and as required by the Team Leader – Planning Compliance to ascertain non-compliances relating to permit conditions, land management plans and any breaches of the Planning Scheme.

»Prepare Council reports and memos as required with appropriate recommendations for consideration by the Manager and Director.Provide appropriate advice to customers in relation to the requirements of the Planning Scheme, Planning & Environment Act, relevant Local Laws and other relevant legislation, and assist them in understanding and complying with such requirements.

»Keep up to date with developments, legislation and regulations relevant to the requirements of the position.

»Ensure project objectives are met by anticipating and managing potential and emerging issues.

»Influence events, promote ideas and keep abreast of new ideas, thinking and products.

»Through leadership and example promote Casey’s trademark behaviours: show respect, take responsibility, listen and respond, be positive, think things through.

  1. Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities

»Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others in the workplace.

»Ensure hazards, incidents, near misses and injuries are reported immediately.

»Support activities taken by the organisation to comply with OH&S legislation.

»Ensure only authorised, adequately trained staff undertake assigned tasks.

  1. Accountability and Extent of Authority

»The incumbent has authority to provide information and advice to members of the public and other relevant persons/organisations on routine planning matters. Non-routine matters are referred to more senior officers.

»The position has authority to administer and enforce the relevant provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Local Government Act 1989, to sign and issue contravention and infringement notices as an authorised officer of the Council and for provision of information and advice to members of the public and other relevant persons/organisations.

»Supervise resources, other employees and/or provide advice to or regulate clients; and/or give support to more senior employees.

»If prime responsibility is resource supervision, freedom to act is governed by clear objectives and/or budgets, frequent prior consultation with more senior staff and a regular reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to plans.

»If prime responsibility is to provide specialist advice to clients or to regulate clients, freedom to act is subject to close supervision or to clear guidelines. Effect of decisions and actions taken on individual clients may be significant but the decisions and actions are always subject to appeal or review by more senior employees.

»If prime responsibility is to provide direct support and assistance to more senior employees, freedom to act is not limited simply by standards and procedures and the quality of decisions and actions taken will often have an impact upon the performance of the employees being supported.

  1. Judgement and Decision Making

»Objectives of the work are usually well defined but the particular method, technology process or equipment to be used must be selected from a range of available alternatives.

»The work may involve problem-solving, using procedures and guidelines and applying professional or technical knowledge, or knowledge acquired through experience.

»Problems are occasionally of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously encountered situations. The employee must analyse issues from different perspectives, draw conclusions from the information available and Identify and propose practical solutions to problems.

»Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice.

  1. Management Skills

»Skills in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising work to achieve objectives in the most efficient way possible, within the resources available and within a set timetable.

»Ability to adapt behaviour to new situations, be resilient and maintain stable performance when under pressure or opposition.

»Where supervision is part of the job, understand and be able to implement personnel practices including those related to equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety and training and development.

  1. Interpersonal Skills

»Gain co-operation and assistance from clients, the public and other employees and, where appropriate, supervise other employees.

»Establish and maintain relationships with people at all levels, listen to others, confirm understanding and recognise the importance of seeing things from others’ point of view.

»Ability to write reports and/or prepare external correspondence.

  1. Specialist Skills and Knowledge

»Supervisors require understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes used within their operating unit.

»Specialists and employees involved in interpreting regulations require understanding of the underlying principles involved as distinct from the practices.

»Support employees require understanding of the role and function of the senior employees to whom they provide support, understanding of the long term goals of the unit in which they work, and appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation.

»All employees in this Band require:

  • Understanding of the function of their position within its organisational context, including relevant policies, regulations and precedents.
  • Ability to use the advanced features of the available digital tools relevant to the role.
  1. Inherent Physical Requirements

»Move over rough ground such as development sites.

»Ability to lift, grip, pull and freely move up and down ladders if required.

»Ability to undertake physical activities such move loads of dirt.

»Use a computer.

»Communicate clearly

»Drive a vehicle

  1. Qualificationsand Experience

»There are no formal qualifications required for the position; experience is desirable inan enforcementrelated position particularly in a planning or land management environment;

»Experience is required in:

  • An enforcement-related position;
  • Local Government and Town Planning.
  • Driver’s Licence which is valid to drive within Victoria.
  • Local Government experience and planning or environmental management qualifications would be highly regarded.
  1. Key Selection Criteria

»Knowledge and ability to read, understand and interpret legislation and regulations relevant to planning enforcement.

»Proven experience relevant to the role.

»Understanding of working in an agile and collaborative working environment.

  1. Conditions of Employment

»Conditions of employment are as per the City of Casey Enterprise Agreement, Casey’s policies and procedures and the letter of offer.

»Hours - The position is full-time worked on a 19-day/4-weeks arrangement.

»Health Declaration - The preferred applicant is required to complete a Health Declaration form and return it to the Occupational Health and Safety Co-ordinator prior to commencement.

»Physio/Medical Examination - The preferred applicant is required to have a pre-employment physio/medical examination (at Council’s expense). Accounts for broken appointments are the responsibility of the applicant.

»Criminal Records Check - This position is subject to the successful applicant having a satisfactory Police Check prior to commencement at Council’s expense and then as regularly as the position requires as per Council Policy.

»Transport – Employees must use Council vehicles for work-related travel whenever practical to do so. If employees use privately-owned vehicles for work-related travel Council recommends the vehicle be comprehensively insured and the insurance company notified that the vehicle is being used for work-related travel. If an employee using a privately owned, comprehensively insured vehicle for work-related travel is involved in an accident they may be eligible for reimbursement of the insurance excess. Vehicles not comprehensively insured will not be eligible for reimbursement.

»Sick Leave - A medical certificate may be required for any absence and must be provided for sick leave exceeding three working days or absence on the working day before or after a rostered day off, annual leave or public holiday.

»Multiskilling - Employees may be directed to carry out any duties consistent with theirskills, competence and training provided the duties do not result in de-skilling them.

»Risk Management – Employees must comply with risk management policy and procedures.

»Employment Status - The successful applicant must provide proof of permission to work in Australiaprior to commencement.

»Probation Period - In accordance with Federal Government legislation, a six month Probation Period applies.

  1. How to Apply

»Applications to be submitted through the Casey website at (preferred), or email to in Word format.

»Applications are dealt with in the strictest confidence. Details contained in your application will not be conveyed to any person not directly connected with processing your application without your express permission.

»Following the nominated close date, short-listed candidates will be contacted by telephone. The remaining candidates will be notified via email if their application has been unsuccessful.