Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser – Strategic Policy & Sustainability Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. POSITION DETAILS
TITLE OF POSITION
Principal Open Space and Public Realm
Adviser
DEPARTMENT
Department of Planning and Local Government
(DPLG)
DATE
December 2009
CLASSIFICATION
PO4
REPORTS TO
Manager Liveability and Sustainability
LOCATION
Adelaide CBD
DIVISION
Strategic Policy and Sustainability
POSITION NUMBER
2. POSITION CONTEXT
The Organisation
The Department of Planning and Local Government (DPLG) is the pre-eminent State Government
strategic land use agency committed to the sustainable development of South Australia. The
agency also leads the State Government’s relationship with Local Government and recognises the
important role councils play in delivering local services and infrastructure. The department’s
focus is strategic leadership for the State in economic development, housing affordability,
liveability, job creation and an effective approach to climate change. Our culture enables us to
deliver outstanding outcomes in these areas, whilst maintaining credibility, integrity and trust
with all stakeholders. The DPLG strategic plan works to deliver against the objectives of the
South Australian Strategic Plan.
The Role (rresponsibilities)
The Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser has a senior professional role within the
organisation. The key focus areas for the position are:

Contributing to the implementation of the South Australian Government Planning
Reforms 2008 and providing strategic leadership and evidence based policy
development about the South Australian planning system.

Contributing to improving and liveability of South Australian communities, through
developing policy, promoting and providing expert advice on quality public and open
space, sustainable urban design and improving the public realm.

Stakeholder management, including regular liaising with local government, leading or
being a member of working groups and representing the agency in Federal/State
Government development and procedural discussions.

Supporting the strategic vision of the organisation by input into the identification and
management of strategic initiatives and projects relating to the improvement of public
open space and the public realm and through business planning.

Leadership and management of a small group of professionals.
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Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser – Strategic Policy & Sustainability Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
The role of Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser is accountable for the management
and administration of significant projects, the conduct of research and the preparation of high
level advice in accordance with the South Australian Government Planning Reform 2008 and
associated planning frameworks, programs and projects. This position will be required to
undertake a range of research and other project activities some of which may be significant and
complex in nature and as appropriate to work collaboratively with the Principal Urban Designer
to deliver agency objectives.
The role involves:
o providing strategic open space and public realm planning and design advice
o responsibility for high quality open space and public realm planning outcomes across the
State
o analysis of key strategic issues and the development of policies, procedures and
guidelines for open space and the public realm
o developing and implementing open space and public realm design frameworks and
programs, with specific relation to the priorities of the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide
including structure plans and Transit Oriented Developments.
The role is accountable for liaison and negotiation with local Councils, other Government
Departments, development industry groups, private organisations and the community.
The position requires the ability to consistently produce quality outcome within tight timeframes
and under broad direction, operating with high levels of independent action and judgement. It is
essential to be able to operate in a rapidly changing environment that is going through significant
change and to ensure consistent branding messages are communicated both internally and
externally.
The Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser is required to provide advice through the
Manager and Director on projects and initiatives.
Reporting/Working Relationships
The Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser reports to the Manager, Liveability and
Sustainability, is responsible for the supervision of a small group of project staff and will
undertake some work in association/conjunction with the Principal Urban Designer . Key
external relationships and interactions will be with the Minister, Chief Executive, Executives
within DPLG, external consultants and contractors, local government, industry groups and other
stakeholder groups.
Values
The incumbent will be required to demonstrate and align with the established values of DPLG.
These values are TRUST – trust in the process and each other to deliver success; TEAM FOCUS –
work as a team across boundaries and share a big picture view; BELIEF – believe in what we are
setting out to achieve; LOYALTY – be loyal and expect loyalty in return; CREDIBILITY – increase
agency credibility in all areas of business and respect confidentiality of sensitive material at all
times and HONESTY & RESPECT– through open and honest discussion work to generate ideas
and drive innovation.
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Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser – Strategic Policy & Sustainability Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
3. KEY RESULT AREAS
The Key Result Areas are an overview of the tasks and activities required to be successful in the position
KEY RESULT AREA
1.
Critical Tasks

Contributing to the implementation of the South Australian
Government Planning Reforms 2008 and providing Strategic
leadership and evidence based policy development about the South
Australian planning system and land use governance arrangements,
including advising on necessary regulatory or legislative change

Maintaining relationships and knowledge of competing government
policies and initiative from across the spectrum of Government
agencies to deliver policies which synthesise government priorities

Supporting the implementation of Planning Strategy for SA including
the 30 year Plan for Greater Adelaide

Operating in a rapidly changing environment that is going through
significant organisational change and assisting in developing an
effective governance regime for DPLG
2.
OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC REALM PLANNING, POLICY DEVELOPMENT
AND IMPLEMENTATION
KEY RESULT AREA
Critical Tasks
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PLANNING SYSTEM REFORM
 Initiate and facilitate the planning, development, implementation and
evaluation of a wide range of strategic open space and public realm
projects
 Lead the coordination and implementation of Regional Open Space
Strategies for South Australia and their regular review and
improvement as part of the overall Planning Strategy for SA
 Lead high level coordination and liaison with Government agencies,
local councils, the private sector and the community on the planning,
design and implementation of the Government's strategic open space
and public realm objectives and programs
 Ensure the provision of high level project management, research and
analysis to DPLG, other agencies and external stakeholders on a broad
range of policy and strategic issues relating to open space and the
public realm
 Ensure the provision of informed and timely, original and high level
strategic advice and recommendations to Directors, Chief Executive,
Minister and Cabinet, which significantly contribute to the delivery of
integrated open space outcomes for the State
 Exercise financial accountability for the Planning and Development
Fund programs, including management of the core State-wide Open
Space Subsidy Program and significant external contracts and
consultancies related to the acquisition and development of open
space
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Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser – Strategic Policy & Sustainability Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
KEY RESULT AREA
3.
STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
Critical Tasks

Stakeholder management and engagement with key internal and
external stakeholders including Ministers, local government
authorities, Executives within DPLG and other agencies and industry
partners

Build and maintain strong positive relationships with all stakeholders
particularly government agencies and local councils

Build strong collaborative relationships with industry partners and
ensure that communication is aligned with stakeholders needs

Provide regular communication and strategic updates to the Manager
and Director to minimise organisational risk

Contribute as a member of joint working parties and represent the
Agency in Federal/State Government development, project and
procedural discussions
KEY RESULT AREA
4.
LEADERSHIP
Critical Tasks

Provide professional leadership to the Open Space and Public Realm
team and model behaviours to reflect the culture and values of the
organisation

Provide leadership and effectively supervise, support and assist
individuals to contribute to a cohesive team within the Branch

Facilitate inter- Branch/Division collaboration to address assessment,
policy and procedural issues including the development open space
and public realm policy

As required, provide expert input and advice on communication
strategies and issues related to open space and public realm policy

Exercise corporate governance practices
KEY RESULT AREA
5.
BUSINESS PLANNING
Critical Tasks

Contribute to the development of Divisional business planning
processes

Ensure that the development of policy and procedural approaches and
reforms link to the future strategic imperatives identified by the
organisation

Ensure that the targets and projects outlined in the annual business
plan are completed to a high quality standard

Support and provide advice to the Manager or Director and other
stakeholders in the achievement of business planning activity
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Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser – Strategic Policy & Sustainability Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
4. CORE ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCIES
The competencies below are an overview
COMPETENCY AREA
TYPICAL BEHAVIOURS
Operational Thinking
and Change

Manages
Relationships

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

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Achieves Business
Excellence



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Monitors and
Manages Results

Exemplifies Personal
Drive and
Professionalism



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Develops strategies that contain clear, measurable objectives and makes clear
decisions about strategic priorities
Demonstrates and builds commitment for new initiatives
Establishes and drives strategy that best positions products and services
Persistently builds and sustains momentum and direction in an environment of
ongoing change
Identifies and works towards team and organisational goals
Provides strategic leadership
Effectively manages internal and external networks and relationships with
stakeholders
Provides leadership within Government and Industry
Able to identify strategies and tactics to bring ideas to fruition
Takes the lead in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation
Thinks laterally and creatively, generating alternatives and options from which to
choose
Seeks to be a leader in own field of expertise
Maintains regular communication with reports to discuss progress toward
achieving performance and behavioural objectives
Monitors team performance objectives through regular review and analysis
Participates in and completes mandatory performance management activities
Seeks to undertake personal and professional development activities for
performance improvement
Models the highest standard of professional and ethical behaviour
Builds trust through honesty and follows through on commitments
Maintains composure and clarity of thought in the face of hostility, resistance or
provocation
Maintains focus on strategy and shows persistence in achieving long term goals
Develops challenging but realistic goals for self and remains focused on achieving
desired outcomes
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Principal Open Space and Public Realm Adviser – Strategic Policy & Sustainability Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
5. EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
The skills and experiences outlined below are required to be considered for the position
a) A recognised degree or recognised post graduate qualification specialising in one or more of the following areas:
urban and regional planning; urban design and public realm planning; environmental planning, open space and
recreation planning, landscape design, management.
b) Significant demonstrated experience and technical ability in planning, architecture, landscape, design, urban
design or open space planning.
c) Extensive knowledge of current planning and development issues and the planning system in South Australia
including the social, environmental and economic issues.
d) Detailed and specialist knowledge of government policies, procedures and practices relating to open space
management and the role and design of the public realm including the legislation that affects open space and the
public realm management in the State.
e) Highly developed analytical and conceptual skills with a strong capacity to think and act innovatively with high level
of personal motivation and capacity to act without supervision, including well-developed ability to recognise and
act on the sensitivity and significance of political and other important issues relating to the management of public
open space and the public realm.
f)
Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to leads a small team of professionals
6. APPROVAL
Employee signature:
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Date:
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Manager signature:
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Date:
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