POSITION TITLE:
AWARD CLASSIFICATION:
POSITION NO:
SERVICE UNIT:
DEPARTMENT:
DIVISION:
CURRENCY:
DATE APPROVED:
APPROVED BY:
Place Manager – XXX CITY
COUNCIL
The XXX CITY COUNCIL serves a diverse municipality, and has developed a unique
culture to deliver the organisation’s commitment to Same Day Service and
Economic, Environmental, Social and Cultural Sustainability
The CEO, has described this culture as a Web Organisation which is characterised
by pathways of influence and a free flow of information…highly energetic and
mobile.
The hallmark of a web organisation is the confident use of personal judgement
where we sometimes stretch the rules because of context. If your network or web is
diverse enough and strategic enough you’ll be better able to exercise judgements
given the specific context or circumstance you face.’ It is characterised by ‘staff
taking risks being brave, not being bullied and delivering service at all times
focussed on solutions.”
Staff are expected to model a series of non-traditional behaviours based on an
understanding that service delivery in an ever-changing world is complex, and the
traditional technology of planning and accountability is not sufficient to deliver the
required results.
These behaviours, generally referred to within the organisation as “The Eight
Behaviours”, are as follows:
1. Ruthlessly seeking to understand, through the use of dialogue.
2. Understanding that paradox occurs every day and in every situation
3. Being comfortable operating with and discussing the uncomfortable
4. Expecting that the unpredictable will occur
5. Focusing on outcomes, realising that the journey, and sometimes the ultimate
destination, may change many times
6. Understanding that innovation and risk taking still occur within boundaries of
accountability
7. Understanding that the ability to build and manage strong relationships is
what creates real success
8. Sharing in each other’s success and failures.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
The XXX CITY COUNCIL is committed to an environment where employees
aspire to have shared values around integrity, fairness, honesty and trust. At
the heart of these values are 3 simple rules. They are :



Caring for ourselves
Caring for each other; and
Caring for this place
WHAT IS SAME DAY SERVICE?
Same Day Service (SDS) is a commitment by all staff to exercise personal judgment
within agreed standards to respond on the day they receive a request.
What is an appropriate response?
An appropriate response is:
1. Accepting responsibility to see the problem through
2. Fixing the request immediately
3. Explaining what you will do to fix the problem and by when
4. Explaining why you can't fix the problem
5. Negotiating a compromise
SDS also means keeping the person informed and recording what you are doing
to fix the problem.
The CEO’s promise to the community
“We will not be able to fix all of your problems, or resolve them as quickly as you
may prefer. However we do commit to prompt response to your requests and
delivering our commitments.”
Place Manager – XXX CITY COUNCIL
1.
POSITION TITLE:
2.
ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
REPORTS TO:
Manager City Strategy
SUPERVISES:
Nil
INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
All levels of the organisation - the position is
expected to work across the organisation to
achieve the position objectives.
EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: Councillors, ratepayers, residents, State
Federal Government, developers, business
industry, planning professionals, community
professional interest groups,
contractors
professional networks.
3.
and
and
and
and
POSITION OBJECTIVES:

Lead and co-ordinate the achievement of the XXX CITY COUNCIL
Management Framework actions as detailed in the Framework document.

Deliver improvements to the XXX CITY COUNCIL accordance with the
strategies set out in the XXX CITY COUNCIL Management Framework
document.

To deliver a cross organisational planning approach to ensure strategic
and integrated outcomes in XXX CITY COUNCIL.

Provide professional planning expertise to the Manager City Strategy,
Community Development and Planning Division, other internal
departments, Council and the community.

Make a significant contribution to the attainment of branch, division and
corporate goals and workplans.

Exercise personal judgment within agreed standards to respond to a
service request on the same day it is received - SAME DAY SERVICE.

Contribute to and participate in organisational objectives – same day
service and modelling our agreed 8 behaviours.
4.
5.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTIES:

Lead the progression of thinking to achieve urban design improvements
to the XXX CITY COUNCIL

Facilitate officers across the organisation to work in a team environment
to achieve timely and appropriate outcomes. This will relate to matters of
planning, organisational aspects, urban design, policy and strategy
development.

Liase and negotiate with other agencies and the community to further
advance progression of outcomes in XXX CITY COUNCIL

Provide urban design and strategic thinking skills to the team.

Take a project manager or project team member role in multi-disciplinary
project teams that are established to undertake a specific project within
identified timelines and budget constraints.

Co-ordinate, facilitate and/or undertake community consultation sessions
on major planning projects.

Advise Council and the community on planning / strategic processes /
issues / projects in a timely and professional manner.

Liaise with government agencies and other stakeholders about land use
planning and development issues.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF RESPONSIBILITY
The position is accountable for:

Progressing the delivery of strategic urban design improvements in
XXX CITY COUNCIL

Producing outcomes that contribute to attaining corporate goals;

High quality of work and specific outputs identified in the Personal
Work Plan and those specified in the Unit Work Plan;

The co-ordination, facilitation and delivery of major projects and
initiatives under the XXX CITY COUNCIL banner;

Effective leadership of project teams and producing outcomes in a
timely manner and within budget;

Providing professional advice and anticipation and forecasting of
actions required to advance the achievement of project objectives;

Preparation and presentation of reports, briefings, progress reports and
other items as required;

Delivering agreed workplans on time and within budget;

Provide accurate and professional advice on often complex planning
matters to other staff, councillors, management and the community;

The management of personal day-to-day workload, meeting deadlines
and management of project teams and consultants;

Effective use of delegated authority under the Planning and
Environment Act 1987.
The position has the authority to:
6.

Work across the organisation and with other agencies to pursue
outcomes;

Act as the key nominated person on major projects as specified;

Represent the Council with stakeholders, community and interested
parties to advance XXX CITY COUNCIL objectives and outcomes;

Instruct and supervise consultants undertaking work on XXX CITY
COUNCIL projects to achieve agreed planning outcomes;

Coordinate the level of work required to achieve outcomes;

Liase with government authorities to progress the planning objectives
of the Council and XXX CITY COUNCIL outcomes;

Preparation of budgets for consideration by the manager.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

Ability to envision and create opportunities that will advance the
corporate objectives

Ability to think holistically and consider options and implications of
various decision points.

Ability to formulate creative and innovative approaches in problem
solving and generating outcomes to meet XXX CITY COUNCIL strategic
directions.

Demonstrated ability to operate across organisations; work in groups
and through initiative produce outcomes that contribute to attaining
agreed goals.

Demonstrated ability to prepare analytical reports and to make
recommendations to high level committees.
7.

Ability to perceive the political implications of various decision paths
before acting.

Take lead responsibility for nominated projects and work programs.

Ability to embrace confidential material and advance broad objectives of
projects.

Ability and confidence to make decisions based on knowledge of
policies and procedures.

Day to day decision making on often complex matters in accordance
with delegated authority, budget and organisation objectives.

A good understanding of Local Government operations and processes.
SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Ability to think conceptually, creatively and strategically in order to plan for
integrated high quality land use, development and design outcomes.

Ability to be creative in seeking solutions to complex problems and
recommend / determine appropriate courses of action.

High-level skills and significant experience in project management, urban
design and strategic thinking.

An understanding of the complexities and benefits of integrated local area
planning.

Creative and innovative approaches to problem solving – ability to “think
outside the square” and make it happen.

Ability to provide leadership to projects.

Ability to work across the organisation to produce outcomes that
contribute to attaining corporate goals.

A good understanding of Local Government operations and the
community processes that impact upon contemporary issues.

Effective interpersonal skills and ability to communicate well at all levels.

Demonstrated skills in dealing with executive management and
Councillors and delivering advice in public forums.

Ability to engender trust with elected representatives and staff.

Ability to deal with demanding workloads.

Well-developed analytical, research and investigative skills.

8.
9.
10.
Effective report writing skills and presentation skills.
MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

Ability to set priorities and organise, assign and monitor work to meet
the required time lines, achieve service efficiencies and meet budget
targets.

Ability to manage projects, people and resources to meet deadlines
and budgets.

Ability to organise and oversee consultant contracts.

Ability to recommend strategies within a political environment.

Ability to work to longer-term objectives.

Effective time management and self-motivation / management skills.

Self-sufficiency to prepare reports, correspondence and other
documents using Microsoft Word and other software applications such
as spreadsheet, database and mapping.

Ability to generate enthusiasm
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Ability to actively listen to people and distil the necessary information.

Highly developed oral and written skills in the communication of
complex ideas and issues with a variety of audiences.

Demonstrated abilities in facilitation, negotiation, influencing outcomes
and conflict resolution.

Ability to work effectively in group work with others across the
organisation and with other agencies.

Approachable person (people’s person) and open communicator.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

A relevant tertiary qualification in urban design or strategic planning or
a closely related field.

Significant experience in complex project management and the delivery
of integrated outcomes.

Relevant experience working in urban design, strategic and land use
planning or closely related field.

Experience in visioning, finding creative solutions, integrated planning
and project management.

Experience in managing and working in a team environment and inter
disciplinary environment.

Experience working in a local government environment advantageous.

Current Victorian Drivers Licence.
___________________________________________________________________
11.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY:

Understand and comply with the OHS Policy, procedures and
legislative requirements relevant to their activities.

Communicate with employee health and safety representatives and
supervisors particularly regarding hazards in the workplace.

Participate in programs to improve risk management including health
and safety within the workplace.
12.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

A relevant tertiary qualification in Urban Design, Strategic Planning,
Project Management or closely related profession.

Proven ability to think strategically, analyse complex situations,
develop creative solutions and achieve outcomes that advance Council
objectives.

Considerable experience in project management with a track record in
delivering major projects in an environment of balancing complex
issues and competing priorities in either a local government or
consultancy environment.

Experience in urban design and developing design based frameworks
and solutions.

Highly developed skills in communication of complex ideas, community
consultation and facilitation of stakeholders to quality outcomes.

Outstanding negotiating skills with experience in influencing outcomes.

Ability to self-manage to ensure project completion within timeframe
and on budget.

Excellent analytical skills and skills in data collection, research,
creative problem solving and presentation.

Possess a good understanding of the Victorian planning system.

Ability to develop rapport with elected members and executive
management.

Highly developed oral and written communication skills.