Position Title: Position Number: 0832, 1985, 2396, 2397 Division: Planning & Regulation Job Grade: JG7 Unit: Building & Environmental Health Award base: 35 Hours Unit Leader: Manager Building and Environmental Health Reports to: Team Leader - Environmental Health Supervises: Nil Date Created /Revised: December 2014 - organisational restructure 13 September 2011 updated Degree and Institute name October 2009 new format and organisational updates Mar 2009 APNs Aug 2008 Division, unit 31 March 2004 Primary Objective Provide advice on environmental and health issues to residents, developers and Council staff. Carry out assessment on development proposals, complaints and reports on issues to ensure such comply with the various Acts, Regulations and Council policy. External Environment Tweed Shire is one of the fastest growing areas in New South Wales. The Shire also has the second highest biological diversity of any area on the Australian Eastern seaboard. Values Statement What we value Living and loving the Tweed. We look after people and places, explore all opportunities and are proud of our passionate approach. We care about each other, choose to be here, and are in this together. We have conversations where everyone can contribute and we are willing to have a go. We put back in to make a difference, so that our Tweed community is even better tomorrow than it is today. EnvironmentalHealthOffice_various_G7.doc Page 1 of 7
Organisational Environment PLANNING AND REGULATION DIVISION The Planning and Regulation Division provides services related to planning and development control, building control, regulatory control, public health and safety issues, environment and health management throughout the Tweed Shire Building and Environmental Health Unit: The Building and Environmental Health Unit is responsible for the regulatory control and certification of buildings and approval of development applications for dwelling houses and associated structures within the shire, to provide environmental health services to Council to meet statutory requirements and community needs and to ensure public health, safety and amenity. The unit must conform to the stringent statutory requirements of relevant acts including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The unit is also responsible for pursuing many of Council s legislative responsibilities, which include the protection of public domain, public health, public safety by virtue of essential services, plumbing and drainage, onsite waste management, food regulation, certification of buildings and other structures, fire safety upgrades of existing buildings, the licensing of premises for use as Places of Public Entertainment, licensing of caravan parks the Swimming Pools Act, Public Health Act and the Protection of Environment Operations Act. The work environment is busy, responsive to customer demands and requires regular adjustment of priorities and activities. Council is committed to the principles of ecological sustainability in all operations and responsibilities. The Position The position undertakes environmental assessments on proposed developments providing advice both to Council staff and external stakeholders including proponents, consultants and the general public. The position also undertakes routine compliance inspections, investigates complaints and reports on issues associated with possible breaches of relevant public health and environmental legislation. Excellent communication skills are essential. It is necessary that the incumbent possess a sound knowledge of relevant legislation and a thorough understanding of environmental concepts associated with water, noise and air pollution. The position requires skills to analyse complex reports submitted in relation to environmental matters to determine their compliance with the relevant standards, guidelines and legislation. EnvironmentalHealthOffice_various_G7.doc Page 2 of 7
The position is required to use Council s Information Management Software (Dataworks) to comply with organisational requirements of document management and have basic computing and GIS skills. The position interacts with staff internal and external to the Unit on various environmental and health issues with similar advice required to developers and the general public. The position is also to have highly developed skills in problem solving and conflict resolution. As well, the position will be part of a duty roster system that provides public advice. The work of the position includes, but is not limited to, the following: Key responsibility areas 1. Development Applications Advice Associated key duties Analyse and assess applications against various environmental and health legislation, standards and guidelines and Council Management Plans. Liaise with planning staff where additional information is required. Recommend approval subject to special and standard conditions. Recommend refusal with detailed reasons. Deal with applications in a timely manner. 2. Complaints Investigation Receive and record complaints/reports of issues that may breach environmental or public health legislation or Council policies. Investigate issues including site inspections, interviews, taking samples, use monitoring equipment, gather evidence. Prepare reports with recommendation for actions where required. Follow up any action to ensure finalisation. Respond to complaints in a timely manner. Instigate legal proceedings and act as a court witness where required. 3. Inspections Understand reason for inspection and ensure 4. Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution knowledge of all relevant standards and legislation. Provide clear and accurate advice and direction. Document inspection results including any works required. Ensure follow up of works and document results. Compose correspondence on matters of concern to residents or developers or proponent of proposed developments. Respond to matters tasked through Council s record system or forwarded via Council s internal email system in a timely manner. EnvironmentalHealthOffice_various_G7.doc Page 3 of 7
5. Maintenance of Ensure professional knowledge base, appropriate Professional Knowledge to the position, is adequate and current. Base Ensure open communication is maintained with colleagues to allow the transfer of information. Liaise with Manager where data gaps exist. 6. Approvals Analyse and assess applications against relevant legislation and Council Policy. Prepare recommendations for approval/refusal. Monitor compliance. As a member of the Building and Environment Health Unit the position requires attention to detail, flexibility, contribution to the provision of client services across the work of the Unit, the capacity to respond to a busy work environment and provide other team members with assistance in times of high demand. The position will apply Council s Enterprise Risk Management Policy and Protocol objectives as they relate to the position. Health Safety and Environmental System (HSES) Responsibilities: In accordance with Council's Work Health and Safety Responsibility, Authority and Accountability Protocol this position has been deemed to fall within the following categories: Category 8 All Employees All employees are required to perform their duties in accordance with their relevant position description, WHS Risk Assessments, Safe Work Methods Statements, Standard Operating Procedures and site specific requirements and instructions. The WHS training requirements for this position as per the WHS TNA are: Generic WHS Training WHS Training Needs Analysis Position( X ) Online TSC Safety Induction Program X Local Area Induction (Level 2 Work Activity) X For a complete list of the WHS Responsibilities, Authority and Accountabilities of this position staff are to refer to the Protocol located on Council's intranet site: http://tscdotnet/oms/. Organisational and External Relationships: Organisational relationships staff in the Environment & Health Unit staff in the Planning & Development Division and Engineering & Operations Division External Relationships State Government Agencies EnvironmentalHealthOffice_various_G7.doc Page 4 of 7
residents developers public Within the context of the position, the incumbent is also responsible for: maintaining work standard quality continuous improvement of procedures and systems provision of quality customer service. Location of Position: The position will be required to work out of any of Council's administrative offices, Depots or any other location within the Shire as directed by the supervisor. Probationary Period: The position incumbent will undergo a 3 months probationary period. Where deemed appropriate, the probationary period can be extended by the relevant Director for no more than a further 3 month period. Successful completion of the probationary period will result in confirmation of the appointment. Verification of Qualifications: Guidelines All original certificates or certified (by the institution) academic transcripts must be sighted by Council. Cost of providing documentation is to be borne by applicant. To facilitate the verification of qualifications written permission must be given to the Tweed Shire Council for the relevant educational institution to be contacted. Falsely claiming qualifications will lead to dismissal and/or prosecution for any relevant offence. Applicants to sign a certificate declaring that qualifications are genuine and that if falsely claimed can lead to dismissal. EnvironmentalHealthOffice_various_G7.doc Page 5 of 7
Required Personal Attributes, Knowledge and Competence Selection Criteria Personal Attributes: Personal Attributes and Cultural Fit will be addressed at interview. Council is seeking personal attributes and work values consistent with Council s Corporate Values. Knowledge and Competence: (to be addressed in full when making application) 1. Recognised qualification at degree level in Environmental Health or equivalent. 2. Eligible to hold a current NSW Drivers Licence Class C or equivalent. 3. Be eligible for membership of the Environmental Health Australia. 4. Demonstrated high level knowledge of issues of environmental health, such as, acid sulfate soils, noise assessment/regulation, water quality, contaminated lands, and surveillance/regulation of caravan parks and food premises. 5. Demonstrated high level competence in development of environmental health policy. 6. Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills. 7. Demonstrated high level conflict resolution skills. 8. Demonstrated sound computing skills. Desirable: 9. WorkCover OHS Induction Training for Construction Work. 10. Post graduate qualifications in a relevant field. EnvironmentalHealthOffice_various_G7.doc Page 6 of 7
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