Job and Person Specification
Position Details
Position Title: Senior Policy Officer, Land Administration
Remuneration Level:
ASO7
Type of Appointment:
Ongoing
Contract End Date:
N/A
Position No.: EH0708
Hours per Week: 37.5
J&P Specification Created: March 2002
Last Updated: 29 April 2008
Directorate: Conservation Policy and Programs
Branch: Land Administration
Specification Approval
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Chief Executive or Delegate
Commissioner for Public Employment
(Executive Positions Only)
Date: …/…/…
Date: …/…/…
Position Incumbent’s Acknowledgment
I confirm that I am aware of the duties of the position as identified in this Job and Person
Specification.
……………………………
Incumbent Name
……………………………………
Incumbent Signature
Date: …/…/…
Job Specification
Position Context
The Senior Policy Officer position is located in the Land Administration Branch of the Conservation
Policy and Programs Directorate. The Land Administration Branch is facing the following key
challenges over the next 12 months:
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Increasing revenue from Crown Lands
Alignment of Crown land business with the DEH Corporate Plan and other government
objectives
Use of Crown lands, directly or indirectly, to expand the formal conservation estate
Introduction of new Crown land legislation and matching policies
Further development of electronic business systems and processes to support land
administration service delivery
Meeting public demand for the active management of Crown lands.
Establishment of a more customer focussed approach to land administration service delivery.
Relationships
The Senior Policy Officer reports to and receives direction from the Manager, Land Administration
Branch.
The Senior Policy Officer will manage a small team of policy and project officers.
The Senior Policy Officer maintains working relationships with:
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Manager, Crown Lands Projects
Director, Public Land Stewardship
Land Administration Branch staff
Conservation Policy and Programs Directorate staff
Regional Conservation Delivery staff
Minister and Minister’s Office
Other government agencies
Position Summary
The high level objectives to be met by the incumbent are:
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Implementation of the provisions of the Crown Lands Management Act 2009.
Develop and implement a revised suite of Crown lands policy.
Contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the Land Administration Branch and
government in relation to delivery of land administration and property services.
The incumbent will meet these objectives by achieving the following key outcomes and/or
undertaking the following activities:
1. Manage the development and implementation of public land administration policy and
legislation, by:
 Managing the implementation of the Crown Land Management Act.
 Providing, or coordinating the preparation and presentation of, analyses, advice and
discussion papers for consideration by, and consultation with, all relevant stakeholders.
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Representing the Department on inter-departmental working parties (and, where necessary
or appropriate, convene them) and contributing to, or coordinate the development, of land
administration policy and legislative positions.
Providing support to Ministerial Councils, including the review, analysis and investigation of
issues arising from reports, representations, Ministerial questions, Cabinet submissions,
discussion papers and draft proposals, and the formulation and/or coordination of
responses.
Managing the development and implementation of innovative land administration policy
options by:
o Scanning land administration policy across jurisdictions, nationally and
internationally to identify new ideas and directions for land administration policy.
o Ensuring effective and targeted consultation with a range of internal and external
stakeholders is undertaken.
o Developing and/or managing others to develop policy.
o Facilitating the approval process for policy implementation.
o Ensuring policy implementation is planned and includes appropriate communication,
training and education phases for policy users.
o Monitoring and evaluating the impact and consequences of policy changes and
make amendments/updates as required.
2. Manage the development and implementation of initiatives that support the effective business
administration of Crown Lands by:
 Identifying business systems and business development needs by analysing issues, trends
and opportunities.
 Creating and developing ideas for new business system requirements to address business
needs and improve quality and efficiency of operations.
 Undertaking research, analysing information, preparing business cases and making
recommendations for business system changes.
 Coordinating and managing the implementation of business development initiatives,
including engaging and managing project teams, contractors or consultants as necessary.
 Liaising with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure business systems
meet stakeholder needs.
 Monitoring and evaluating the performance of business systems.
3. Make a significant contribution to Crown Land Management service delivery to meet corporate
and government objectives, by:
 Providing strategic advice to facilitate the development, management and achievement of
Departmental goals and objectives for Crown estate and government land administration
and property services.
 Liaising, consulting and negotiating with customers and stakeholders with respect to the
Department’s role in the administration of the Crown estate.
 Developing and reviewing practices, strategies and standards for the provision of Crown
estate and government land administration and property services.
 Developing and coordinating the delivery, of training programs related to land
administration and property services.
 Managing change initiatives related to land administration service and delivery.
 Preparing Ministerial and other high level written advice.
 Representing the Department in various land administration forums.
4. Lead staff to achieve business objectives, by:
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Planning and prioritising workloads, communicating priorities and providing direction to
staff.
Fostering the development of staff through coaching and training staff to build their
capacity.
Managing the performance of staff by providing feedback and recognising and rewarding
achievements.
Managing a safe and healthy work environment in accordance with the Workplace Safety
Management in the Public Sector 2004-06 Implementation Plan, OHS&W legislation and
WorkCover performance standards for self insurers.
Ensuring the effective and accountable use of Departmental resources through appropriate
financial and procurement practices
Ensuring compliance with all legislative requirements.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
The following skills/abilities/knowledge/experience/qualifications are essential to meeting the
required performance standards of this position.
Professional and Technical Capabilities
1. Experience in policy and legislation development and advice.
2. Experience in developing and delivering complex or politically sensitive projects to achieve
business and corporate objectives.
3. Knowledge of land administration processes, systems, policy and legislation.
Personal Capabilities
4. Demonstrated high levels of perception, conceptual ability and independent judgement.
5. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on a range of issues with a range of internal and
external stakeholders and in cross-disciplinary contexts.
6. Proven high-level written and oral communication skills, especially in relation to report writing
and policy development.
7. Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing circumstances and priorities.
Leadership and Management Capabilities
8. Demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate and achieve outcomes within a politically sensitive
context.
9. An understanding of and ability to work within:
 the spirit and principles of the Workplace Safety Management in the Public Sector 20042006 Implementation Plan (incorporating the Premier’s Safety Commitment),
 the legislative requirements of the OHS&W Act (SA) and equivalent standards including the
DEH OHS&W and IM policies and procedures utilising the Australian Risk Management
Standards, AS/NZS 4360.Insert capability statement
Desirable Capabilities
While not essential, it will be considered favourable if the incumbent has some or all of the
following skills/abilities/knowledge/experience/qualifications:
10. Experience in developing and coordinating the delivery of training programs.
11. Proven ability to act as a facilitator in group discussions.
12. A relevant degree qualification in law or public administration.
Special Conditions
The following special conditions apply to this position:
 Some out of hours work and intra-state travel requiring overnight absences may be required.
 A current driver’s licence is required.
Department for Environment and Heritage
Working Environment
Employees may be required to undertake intra or inter state travel.
Employees may be required to work outside of the normal hours of work.
Employees may be assigned to another position at the same remuneration level if required by the
Chief Executive.
Employees are required to maintain the ethical and behavioural standards outlined in the Code of
Conduct for South Australian Public Sector Employees.
Employees are required to actively participate in the Department’s Performance Management
program.
Employees are required to comply with, and contribute to meeting, workplace legislative and policy
requirements, including occupational health, safety and welfare and records management.
Our workplace is smoke free.
Our department is committed to identifying and managing the impacts on the environment
associated with delivering its programs and requires all staff to be responsible for minimising
negative impacts on the environment in the course of performing their duties.