Planning Team Leader

Job No: 45159

Location: Swan Hill, VIC

Closing Date: 20 May 2013 EDT

About the Organisation & the Swan Hill Region

Swan Hill Rural City Council is responsible for the provision of childcare services, waste management, infrastructure and recreational facilities within the region, as well as monitoring and enforcing statutory and environmental regulations across the municipality.

The Swan Hill region is home to everything that is wonderful in life. A region rich in culture, it is bathed in sunshine, blessed with a bounty of delicious local produce and home to great dining, wine and shopping. All this is surrounded by the country's most beautiful natural asset, the Murray River which is well known as Australia’s mightiest river.

Travelling more than 2756km from its source in the Snowy Mountains to where it meets the sea at Encounter Bay, the Murray is the world’s third largest navigable river, and the Swan Hill region is fortunate to be home to its most unspoilt section.

With a low crime rate and relatively cheap living expenses, Swan Hill offers residents all of the modern amenities you would expect including excellent schools, local sporting clubs, affordable real estate, local shopping and municipal services such as public libraries and maintained public parks. Additionally, Swan Hill is only a three hour drive from Melbourne so it’ll be easy to get to the city for the footy on the weekend.

About the Opportunity

Swan Hill Rural City Council has an exciting full time opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic Planning Team Leader to join their Development and Planning team, based in Swan Hill, Victoria.

Reporting to the Development Manager, you will be undertaking and managing sound strategic and statutory planning and policy development to guide sustainable and efficient use of land within the municipality. 

Working as part of this progressive Local Government, this is a highly varied and career-defining role in which you'll have the opportunity to personally take on a range of key strategic projects.  These projects include the completion of a Development Contribution Plan for a key residential precinct, implementation of the Residential Development Strategy, Rural and Small Townships Land Use Strategy and Swan Hill Car Parking Strategy.

More specifically, your key duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Developing strategies and planning policies;
• Assessing a variety of planning applications in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Subdivision Act 1988
• Preparing and administering planning scheme amendments;
• Liaising with the public and other stakeholders regarding any enquiries relating to planning;
• Supervising the administration of the Planning Department and maintaining required records of all planning and subdivision activity;
• Arranging for the inspection of planning works;
• Monitoring the team's performance and managing human and other resources; and
• Representing Council at internal and external meetings, VCAT, planning panels, forums and working groups as required.

To be successful in this position, you will possess appropriate tertiary qualifications in Planning or a relevant discipline, with significant experience in statutory and strategic planning and project management.  Additionally, you'll have previously managed multi-disciplinary planning projects from inception to implementation, and will have highly developed skills in personnel management, budget preparation and financial management.  Previous experience working in Local Government will be highly regarded.

Importantly, you will have strong leadership, supervisory and mentoring skills, giving you the ability to lead, motivate and develop a high performing team.  Ideally, you'll have a strong understanding of building codes and standards, along with a demonstrated knowledge of contract administration and contract supervision.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) are a must, allowing you to prepare concise reports and liaise with all internal and external stakeholders to establish ongoing positive working relationships.   You'll have strong negotiation and resolution skills, and will show initiative and innovative approaches to problem solving and decision-making.

You will be a highly organised team player, with the ability to manage and prioritise your workload within given timeframes.

Is it essential that you hold a current driver's licence for this role.

About the Benefits

Join Swan Hill Rural City Council and work on a diverse range of projects in a safe and dynamic workplace.  If you're looking for an interesting role where no two days will be the same - this is the opportunity for you!

For your hard work and dedication, you'll be rewarded with a competitive salary circa $95,000 - $105,000 (inc super), based on your experience and qualifications.  In addition to this, you will receive a host of outstanding benefits including:

• Relocation assistance (negotiable);
  
• Salary sacrificing into superannuation;
• Study leave with access to learning opportunities and professional development;
• Employee assistance program;
• Generous leave conditions with 17.5% leave loading; and
• Wellness program including discounted gym membership.

You'll enjoy flexible working conditions whilst working within a well established organisation that prides itself on its supportive working environment and commitment to up-skilling its workforce.  There is also genuine potential for professional growth, with a strong focus on long term career advancement opportunities.

This is your opportunity to build a fantastic career and be recognised for your individual contributions and achievements! 

Please note only applicants with the right to live and work in Australia will be considered. Successful applicant must hold a current drivers licence.

Applications close on Monday the 20th May at 5pm.  Anticipated interviews will commence on Tuesday 28th May.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity working on a range of key strategic planning projects - Apply Now!