The Employer

This organisation is in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, which is known for its coastal lifestyle, vibrant community, and as a hub for tourism and recreational activities.

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Town Planner to join a dynamic and family friendly team. You'll be providing effective development assessment and compliance services, undertaking assessment, determining proposals, and providing mentoring support to junior planning staff in the team.

On top of a competitive base salary, the role offers a 9-day fortnight, a fitness passport, and the potential for a hybrid wfo/wfh split.

The Role

Key duties of the position include:

Customer Service

• Providing professional and timely advice to applicants and staff regarding development related applications, development and planning legislation and associated matters in a timely and courteous manner.
• Interpreting and applying technical concepts and practices to resolve formal complaints, problems and explain policy.
• Promoting a positive image for Council through efficient and effective responses to all public enquiries.

Development Assessment

• Effectively providing development assessment and compliance services.
• Assessing and determining development applications and carrying out associated regulatory functions according to relevant statutes, legislation, policies and procedures.
• Undertaking inspections of applications to ensure compliance.
• Investigating complaints and non-compliance in an impartial manner and promptly responding to and managing identified problems.
• Seeking to identify planning solutions and undertaking mediation between parties to a development related dispute.
• Assisting in the development of strategies, programs and operations that will enhance development processing performance.

Teamwork

• Participating in on-the-job training and mentoring of less experienced planning staff.
• Using knowledge to keep other staff up to date with development assessment related matters.

Written Communication

• Responding to correspondence in accordance with customer service and communication guidelines.
• Preparing clear and concise reports on issues as they relate to this position.
• Preparing material for use by the public that clearly and succinctly explain policies.
• Contribute to the development of policies that reflect the culture, values and objectives of the organisation.

Financial Management

• Ensuring works are undertaken and finances are managed within specified budgets.

Continual Improvement

• Contributing to process, systems and procedures improvements that deliver quality services and projects.

About You

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications at degree level in Town Planning or related discipline.
• Demonstrated extensive professional experience in development assessment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Local Government Act.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
• Proven ability to work individually and as part of a team, with the ability to train and mentor development assessment staff.
• Demonstrated excellent communications skills, including conflict resolution and the ability to provide technical reports.
• Demonstrated experience and competence in the use and application of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Current class C driver licence.

Desirable

• Previous Local Government experience.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.