POSITION TITLE
Coastal Adaptation Project Officer
POSITION NUMBER:
2522
CLASSIFICATION/BAND:
City of Greater Geelong Enterprise Agreement (as
amended from time to time)
Band 7 Salary $78,414.74 to $87,096.90 per
annum, plus superannuation
STATUS:
Temporary full-time position (12 months)
(This position is subject to external funding and may be
reduced or extended with notice).
DIVISION:
City Services
DEPARTMENT:
Environment and Waste Services
APPROVED BY:
Jamie Westhorpe
DATE APPROVED:
July 2014
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
This position reports to the Senior Environmental Engineer, within the Environment Unit,
department of Environment and Waste Services. The incumbent will initially be responsible for the
delivery of the Bellarine Peninsula and Corio Bay – Coastal Climate Change Risk Assessment
project, which is designed to build the capacity of coastal communities State/Local Government,
and service authorities to use climate change information along with coastal hazard data to assess
risk and prepare adaptation responses. The second phase of the project involves undertaking the
Geelong and Queenscliffe Coastal Adaptation Project which aims to develop adaptation pathways
and responses to a range of coastal hazards identified as part of the Bellarine Peninsula and
Corio Bay Local Coastal Hazard Assessment that the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of
Queenscliffe will face over the next century. The project will build community and stakeholder
capacity to understand the impacts of climate change along our coast, as well as engaging them
to contribute to the development of responses.
The project adopts an approach in addressing vulnerabilities associated with coastal hazards and
adaptation which will be transferable to other coastal environments in Victoria.
In delivering this program the project officer will coordinate the community consultation process,
engage consultants for various components of the project, manage budgets and prepare reports.
THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG:
The City of Greater Geelong is one of the largest local government areas in Victoria. The City
provides more than 120 services to the municipality which has a population of more than 200,000.
The City has an annual budget of $229 million and employs over 2000 staff. It also utilises a large
number of volunteers. The organisation has five divisions: Community Services; Corporate
Services; Economic Development, Planning and Tourism; City Services and Projects, Recreation
and Central Geelong.
Geelong:
Located 75 kilometres from Melbourne, Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city and is renowned
for its stunning north facing waterfront which overlooks Corio Bay. Geelong is a vibrant
cosmopolitan city with a relaxed coastal flavour. It is recognised as offering one of the best
lifestyles in Australia. Geelong has all the modern amenities of larger cities, combined with a clean
and healthy environment.
Just minutes away from the city centre are kilometres of pristine beaches, charming seaside
townships and unspoilt rural hinterland.
Geelong is also the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road and some of the best surf beaches
in the world.
The City offers excellent educational opportunities. Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, The
Gordon and Deakin University are just some of the schools and tertiary institutions in the region.
ORGANISATION ENVIRONMENT:
Geelong is among the largest of 79 Councils which collectively represent approximately 5 million
Victorians. While each Council is independent, there are common rules, mainly in the form of
State Legislation, which provide the framework in which Councils operate.
Our Vision:
Greater Geelong: building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in a
quality environment.
Our Mission:
We will focus on developing and maintaining effective working relationships to deliver Council's
strategic directions and high quality services that meet the changing needs of our community.
Values and Behaviours:
Values form the basis of our behaviour; they add meaning to work and they provide a basis for
consistent planning and decision making across the organisation. The City of Greater Geelong
aims to foster a culture that embraces the organisation values being Integrity, Responsibility,
Innovation and Respect. All employees should demonstrate the behaviours that come from
these values when carrying out their work.
ORGANISATION RELATIONSHIP:
This position is part of the City Services Division which comprises the following departments:




Engineering Services
Environment and Waste Services
Infrastructure Operations
Parks and Support Services
Reports To:
Directly Manages:
Internal Liaisons:
External Liaisons:
Senior Environmental Engineer.
N/A.
Environment, Engineering and Planning staff.
Consultants, Local Groups/Associations, State/Federal Government
Agencies, Community Groups, Service Providers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Supervise this complex and multi faceted project.
2. Develop innovative and effective strategies, policies, and asset management plans relating to
planning and management of Council’s coastal jurisdiction.
3. To act as one of Council’s principal advisors and supervisors in the area of coastal planning
and adaptation.
4. Effectively liaise with a broad spectrum of community groups to assist with building capacity to
understand the effects of climate change.
5. Effectively liaise with a government agencies as well as industry stakeholders to gain their
input with development of effective strategies, policies, and asset management plans
6. Develop project briefs, scope of works and/or specifications for risk assessment and
adaptation planning.
7. Advise on the development of communications and engagement plans and tools.
8. Monitor coastal engineering industry trends and building regulations and devise policies and
guidelines to address major issues, including risk management.
9. Adherence to all Council’s policies and procedures as relevant to this position.
10. Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed from time
to time.
11. Assist in the preparation of grant applications.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential:
1. Tertiary qualification in Natural Resource Management, Planning or Engineering related field
with several years experience in the same or like fields.
2. Extensive experience in project and contract management.
3. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups, both verbally and in
writing.
4. Ability to work effectively with a large range of internal and external stakeholders.
5. Sound knowledge of the Victorian Planning System within local government.
6. Ability to provide strategic and policy advice on environmental issues, particularly in relation to
coastal hazards associated with the impacts of climate change.
7. A current valid Victorian Drivers Licence.
8. All candidates should display integrity, responsibility, respect for others and the ability to be
innovative.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

Accountable for creating and capturing accurate and complete records of the business
activities related to this position, in accordance with approved policy and procedures. This is
applicable to both hardcopy and electronic information, including email.

Provide advice to Council, Council officers and the community on coastal planning and
adaptation issues.

Work with Council staff to develop and implement the Council’s Environmental, Asset
management and Planning Strategies.

As a member of a professional specialist team, the judgements and decisions made have a
potential to influence overall performance of the unit and to impact on the wider community.

Assist with the maintenance of an Asset Management data base.

Provide advice on the development of management plans and policy recommendations
through annual capital and maintenance works programs.

Assist with the effective management of external consultants and Council resources in order to
deliver maximum benefit to the Geelong community.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

Involves identification and analysis of various options before choice is made.

Apply judgement to projects and transactions that protects Council’s interests and objectives.

Consider the needs of internal providers, the political environment, the community and others.

Demonstrated experience in problem solving and identifying solutions.

Guidance not always available within the organisation.

Exercise high level of analytical and problem solving skills drawing on technical knowledge
and established techniques and processes and applying to new situations.
SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Advanced project management skills.

Demonstrated strategic planning skills relating to coastal environmental and asset
management.

A sound, contemporary knowledge of the Victorian Planning Scheme, planning policy and
associated issues.

Highly developed planning skills including experience in developing policies and strategies.

Sound knowledge of coastal hazards associated with impacts of climate change.

Appreciation of the process involved in the assessment of risk.

Proven high level analytical and conceptual skills and demonstrated experience in solving
complex problems.

High level of interpersonal and negotiation skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to introduce and manage technological change.

Familiarity with computerised data operating systems, including geo-spatial mapping tools.

Demonstrable experience in liaising with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
including contractors.

Ability to work as a committed member of a multi-disciplined team is essential.
MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

Establish, engage and maintain productive relationships with council staff, customers and
suitably experienced consultants.

Ability to manage own time, set priorities, and achieve targets in the completion of a diverse
range of activities and complete projects and budgets within set timeframes.

Ability to interpret and apply Council’s policies and practices.

Ability to think strategically and plan and co-ordinate activities to achieve key goals.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Ability to negotiate with clients, internal employees, external organisations, community
members and stakeholders in the pursuit and achievement of specific and set objectives.

Ability to demonstrate integrity, responsibility, respect and innovation in all aspects of the
position.

Demonstrated high level of interpersonal and negotiation skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Demonstrated experience in liaising with a wide range of internal and external contractors.

Ability to demonstrate Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Respect in all aspects of the
position.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

A tertiary qualification in project management, planning, environment or engineering or a
related field is desirable.

Extensive post-qualification experience in project management.
 Substantial experience in a local government environment.

Equivalent experience that demonstrates this level of knowledge would otherwise be required.

Current Victorian Drivers licence is essential.
SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

A pre-employment medical examination may be required.

Participate, where required, in the reporting of health, safety and wellbeing issues.

Demanding deadlines.

Prolonged periods of in-activity i.e. sitting at the computer.

Regular keyboarding associated activities.

Long / short distance travel between sites as necessary.

Dealing with difficult community members and stakeholders and situations.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Employment is subject to the presentation of documentary evidence of the right to work in
Australia.

A National Police Records check may be required throughout your employment with Council.

Current Victorian Drivers Licence is essential where the need to drive a Council vehicle is
required.
RISK MANAGEMENT, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS:

Observe policies and procedures to minimise injury and damage to assets and property.

Adhere to Council’s OH&S, equal opportunity and risk management policies, as well as act in
accordance with the Charter of Human Rights.

Ensure behaviour in the workplace does not discriminate, bully or harass others.

Take reasonable care of self and others who may be affected by your actions.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

Employment may be subject to a three-month probationary period (please note that following
consultation, this period may be extended by up to a further three months).

Internal candidates may be subject to a three-month trial period.

Conditions of employment are as per your contract of employment.

The City of Greater Geelong is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a no smoking in the
workplace practise and is also committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in the
workplace and therefore all employees adherence to all OH&S Policies and Procedures is
mandatory.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for this position close at 5.00pm Friday 22 August 2014 and should be submitted through
the on-line facility at www.geelongaustralia.com.au (for internal candidates, please refer to CityWeb).
Should you not have access to the on-line facility,
applications may be directed to:
Recruitment Administration Officer
Organisation Development Department
City of Greater Geelong
PO Box 104
GEELONG VIC 3220
Phone:
5272 4273
Fax:
5272 4292
For details on the recruitment process
If you require further information regarding this position, please contact:
Ralph Roob, Senior Environmental Engineer on 5272 4872.
Privacy Statement
Making an application for this position requires that you consent to the collection, use, storage and destruction of
personal information, including details of your referees. This information will assist us to select the best applicant for the
vacant position.
At all times during the recruitment and selection process, personal data will be treated in a highly confidential manner.
Documents will only be available to members of the selection committee for the purposes of selecting the best person
for the position.
All unsuccessful applicants’ documentation will be destroyed three months after the end of the recruitment process.
Please do not send originals of documentation with your application, as they will be destroyed.
In addition the applicant understands that they may apply to Council for access and/or amendment of the information.
Successful applicant details become employment-related information and will be placed on the successful applicant’s
Personal File. The City of Greater Geelong may release this personal information to third parties such as Vision Super
Fund Pty Ltd., Victorian Workcover and Centrelink for employment related purposes.