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

POSITION TITLE: Building Investigations Officer POSITION NUMBER: 0749 DIVISION: Planning and Development DEPARTMENT: Building Services CLASSIFICATION: Band 5 REPORTS TO: Coordinator Building Services, Coordinator and Team Leader (Governance) DIRECTLY MANAGES: N/A INTERNAL LIAISONS: Building, Planning, Subdivisions, Health and Local Laws, Rates/Property EXTERNAL LIAISONS: Ratepayers, general public, Building Commission, Country Fire Authority, Private Building Surveyors, Building Owners/Occupiers, Community Organisations, Developers, Builders, Plumbers and other tradespersons, Council’s legal advisers, Local, State and Federal Government Departments and Authorities. DATE: November 2016

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

This position ensures matters of building compliance to legislative controls are met by both the organisation and the community.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Assist with the administration of the provisions of all applicable legislation, Acts, Regulations and Local Laws. 2. Assist and carry out as directed audits of existing buildings to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. 3. Assist in the development of an essential services register for all buildings within the municipality. 4. Carry out inspections of buildings with essential services, prepare reports in relation to non- compliance, undertake follow up actions as requested. 5. Carry out inspections, prepare reports and correspondence relating to service requests.

1 6. Assist in the review and investigation of where breaches to the Act/Regulations exist of privately approved building permits, prepare reports and correspondence relating to such permits. 7. Prepare relevant documentation and institute legal proceedings as directed in relation to breaches within the area of responsibility. 8. Assist with Caravan Park audits. 9. Maintain appropriate administrative and information recording systems. 10. Undertake joint investigations with staff from other Council Departments when appropriate. 11. Assist the Municipal Building Surveyor/Team Leader in the development of procedures and protocols to be followed for the investigation of complaints and/or other matters. 12. Promote City of Greater Geelong Sustainable Development’s policy of Excellent in Customer Service and identify, implement and review strategies to improve service quality. 13. Productively cultivate and maintain strong team relationships among colleagues on a formal and informal basis across all Council functions. 14. Establish positive communications with the general public and educate and promote the need for compliance with the various statutes, legislation and local laws. 15. Assist with the implementation of education packages and proactive measures relating to improving the outcomes for issues dealt with by the Section. 16. Maintain confidentiality in respect to all complaints and other dealings of a sensitive or confidential nature. 17. Adhere to all Council’s policies and procedures relevant to this position. 18. Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed from time to time.

Values:

Our values represent who we are and who we aspire to be. They are the tools to create the workplace culture we want. We are all accountable for this.

 Respect and encourage each other  Create a healthy and safe environment for all  Embrace new ideas and better ways to work  Make people the centre of our business

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.

2 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential:

1. Proficient theoretical and practical knowledge and ability to interpret and apply the Building Act and associated legislation and practices. 2. Knowledge of Government policies, legislation and practices and awareness of current trends and issues. 3. Highly developed analytical, investigative, interpretative and problem solving skills. 4. Highly developed verbal and writing skills, including report writing. 5. Ability to liaise and negotiate with business and community representatives and clients. 6. Ability to liaise with counterparts within the industry and staff to exchange views and resolve problems. 7. Ability to assist with monitoring and use of appropriate administrative and information reporting systems within the section. 8. Suitable academic qualifications in the building construction or Building Surveying field. 9. Demonstrated ability to conduct investigations of potential breaches of Building legislation, including involvement with legal proceedings. 10. Demonstrated computer literacy and knowledge of computer programs/skills.

Desirable: 11. Qualification and Recognition by Building Practitioners Board as a building inspector.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

 The incumbent provides support to the Municipal Building Surveyor in the provision of a regulatory service to the Community, and is required to provide information to the public.  Exercise all the legislative powers of an authorised officer under any legislation which Council has designated to the incumbent.  The incumbent is responsible for providing direct support and assistance to the Municipal Building Surveyor and Team Leader Governance.  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:

 The nature of the work is usually well defined, however the incumbent can select methods, processes, technology and equipment from a range of available alternatives.  The incumbent will be ale to use available procedures and guidelines and knowledge gained through relevant experience to solve problems.  Guidance and advice is available within the necessary time frame.  As a member of a professional specialist team, the judgements and decisions made have potential to influence overall performance of the Unit and to impact on the wider community.

SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

 Current knowledge of Building legislation and the ability to interpret and explain such legislation.  Demonstrated knowledge of Common Law and Case Law as applied to Building Act and associated legislation.  Demonstrated practical knowledge in the field of Building Control in order to identify, analyse and deliver options to solve problems.

3  Demonstrated knowledge of the application and use of relevant equipment.  Demonstrated ability to conduct investigations of potential breaches of Building legislation.  Computer literacy (Pathways, Eview, Profis)

MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

 Well developed organisational and administrative skills coupled with time management skill.  Proven ability to use work methods and practices to achieve department goals.  Ability to proactively promote compliance with Building Legislation and Council’s image.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

 Ability to interpret, apply and clearly explain decisions to both the public and other council staff.  Demonstrated ability to be an integral part of a team environment.  Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.  Demonstrated dispute mediation and dispute resolution skills.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

 Suitable academic qualifications in the building construction or Building Surveying field.  Aptitude in Regulatory Building field with a several years’ experience in Regulatory Building Control.  Qualification and Recognition by Building Practitioners Board as a building inspector is desirable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 There is requirement for out of hours work at various locations within the municipality including the participation in Council’s After Hours Emergency Roster.

4 HOW TO APPLY

Applications close: 5:00pm Friday 18 November 2016

Contact Person: Michael Nigido, Coordinator Building Services, 5272 4457

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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