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GREATER GEELONG: BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH ENTERPRISE, OPPORTUNITY AND INNOVATION IN A QUALITY ENVIRONMENT

POSITION TITLE: Maintenance Officer - Parks POSITION NUMBER: 0600 DIVISION: City Services DEPARTMENT: Parks and Gardens CLASSIFICATION: Band 6 REPORTS TO: Manager Parks and Gardens DIRECTLY MANAGES: Supervisor Parks, Team Leaders Parks, Gardeners, Tractor Operators, Ride on Mower Operators, Weed and Pest Control Operators INTERNAL LIAISONS: Mayor’s Office, Councillors, General Manager – City Services, Third Level Managers, Coordinators, Maintenance Officers, Waste Services Officers, Union Representatives, other Council staff EXTERNAL LIAISONS: Local Government Officials, Service Authorities, Emergency Services, Contractors, Suppliers, Union Officials, Environmental Protection Authority, Council Solicitors, General Public DATE: February 2016

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

This position will coordinate the operational activities of parks and reserves maintenance activities performed within a specified zone to manage community parks and reserve assets.

The Officer will lead supervisors and staff, promoting and providing a professional, safe and customer focused service.

They will forward plan and program activities to achieve maximum service delivery with due regard to safety, cost, quality, timeframes, intervention levels and contractual requirements.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Effectively manage and program direct labour, fleet and contractor resources in the delivery of parks and reserves maintenance services throughout the City of Geelong. 2. Maintain a sound working knowledge of and maintain compliance to relevant Council / Divisional policies and procedures.

1 3. Assist in establishing long term strategies to ensure the future of parks and reserve maintenance activities. 4. Assess plant and make recommendations to the Fleet Management Unit for annual plant purchases and plant replacement program. 5. Ensure a timely and appropriate response to all Requests for Service’s. 6. Work within Occupational Health and Safety Regulations / Codes of Practice / CoGG Policies and provide necessary safety equipment for all appropriate activities, educate staff concerning proper use and take corrective action for non compliance. 7. Adhere to all Council’s policies and procedures relevant to this position. 8. Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed from time to time.

Values and Behaviours:

Our aim is to foster a culture that embraces the values that reflect what we believe will deliver the best outcomes for our community.

Our values form the basis of our behaviour. It is our expectation that employees will demonstrate our values when carrying out their work.

 Integrity  Responsibility  Innovation  Respect

Risk Management and Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities:

 Understand and comply with Council OHS policies, procedures and legislative requirements relevant to the position.  Perform work in a safe and appropriate manner.  Ensure behaviour does not discriminate, bully or harass others.  Take responsibility for own safety and that of others.  Proactively report any incidents, injuries, hazards or unsafe work practices.

The following general physical and functional requirements may apply to this position. Specific physical requirements will be attached if applicable.

 Manual handling tasks.  Prolonged periods of inactivity eg. sitting at the computer.  Regular keyboarding associated activities.  Long / short distance travel between sites.  Dealing with difficult clients and situations.  Demanding deadlines.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Ability to manage and provide leadership to a large workforce in a multifunctional organisation. 2. Ability to provide induction, direction and on the job training to permanent and casual staff and contractors. 3. Ability to implement change management as required. 4. Specialised knowledge of the operations and the capabilities of plant assets and various products materials associated with maintenance programs. 5. Broad knowledge of the horticultural industry and horticultural procedures.

2 6. Experience in municipal operations and parks and reserves maintenance activities. 7. Ability to keep abreast of new technologies, methods, industry trends and developments in the provision of the maintenance services and provide specialist advice to senior management and other council departments of such. 8. Knowledge of statutory legislation, standards, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the industry. 9. Proven computer literacy and experience in Microsoft suite of programs and Councils Corporate Software. 10. Ability to respond courteously and efficiently to customer requests and complaints. 11. Ability to prepare documentation including business cases, work progress reports and risk management investigations. 12. Thorough understanding of and ability to implement Occupational Health and Safety Regulations / Codes of Practices and Victorian Workcover Authority regulations relevant to a Tree Maintenance environment. 13. All candidates should display integrity, responsibility, respect for others and the ability to be innovative.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

 Provide specialist horticultural advice to Senior Officers using expertise and previous experience.  Efficient and effective resource deployment and implementation of short and long term maintenance programs, projects and capital works in accordance with set targets.  Ensure team members are trained about the correct use of relevant plant and safety equipment and comply with Council policies and procedures.  Engage contractors and authorise expenditure within budgetary limits. As required, source new contractors.  In accordance with Council’s Organisation Development policies and procedures recruit, appraise and discipline staff.  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.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

 Exercise judgement in the allocation of resources and maintenance of Councils parks and reserves assets.  Prioritise and implement appropriate actions utilising past experience or new innovations so as to introduce alternative work methods and provide guidance to subordinate staff. Guidance is available from more senior staff as appropriate.  Decisions and actions taken may have a significant effect on programs being managed and / or the public perception of the organisation.

SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

 Proven record in the design and delivery of horticultural, maintenance and development services to achieve a quality standard in line with organisational guidelines.  Knowledge of and ability to introduce relevant Codes of Practice, Standards and CoGG Policies and procedures relating to the maintenance of parks & reserve assets.  Understanding of the short and long term goals of Parks & Gardens department.  Proven record in the design and delivery of horticultural maintenance and development services to achieve a quality standard in line with organisational guidelines.

3 MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

 Demonstrated ability to develop, manage and lead teams including supervision, training and performance management of staff consistently and in line with OH&S and EEO legislation, and CoGG policies and procedures.  Develop and implement maintenance programs as required to achieve divisional and corporate goals in line with resource and budget constraints.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

 Ability to demonstrate Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Respect in all aspects of the position.  Well developed interpersonal and communication skills.  Proven record of highly effective communication, negotiation, liaison and leadership with staff at all levels, volunteers, and community members.  Empathy with and understanding of cultural issues and CoGG policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

 A current Victorian Driver's Licence.  A Certificate or Diploma in Horticulture, or equivalent.  Substantial relevant practical experience in supervising parks maintenance and/or turf management activities OR  Substantial relevant municipal experience that embraces the broad range of municipal maintenance associated with parks maintenance operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 The formal start for all staff will be the Anakie Road Operations Centre. The practical start will be the Anakie Road Operations Centre, Belmont Depot, Drysdale Depot or the near the actual project location.

4 HOW TO APPLY

Applications close: 5:00pm Friday 4 March 2016

Contact Person: Grant Baverstock, Manager Parks and Gardens, 5272 4534

Submit your online application at https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/employment

If you are unable to submit an online application please send your application to:

Recruitment Administration Officer Organisation Development City of Greater Geelong PO Box 104 GEELONG VIC 3220

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