Senior Planning Officer, Council Plans Team - Planning Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. POSITION DETAILS
TITLE OF POSITION
DEPARTMENT
Department of Planning and Local Government
(DPLG)
Senior Planning Officer
DATE APPROVED
CLASSIFICATION
PO2
REPORTS TO (position title and number)
Team Leader, Council Plans Team
LOCATION
Roma Mitchell House, North Terrace, Adelaide
DIVISION
POSITION NUMBER
PL0156
Planning
TERM
ONGOING
TEMPORARY CONTRACT
1-5 YEAR CONTRACT
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 with responsibility for planning sustainable growth,
better communities and economic outcomes. 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 role of Senior Planning Officer is to provide expert advice and undertake tasks on a range of
projects and programs that implement the Planning Strategy and other strategic outcomes. A
particular focus of the position is implementing the Planning Strategy in Development Plan
Amendment processes and providing advice / guidance to stakeholders on achieving effective
outcomes.
Reporting/Working Relationships
The role reports to the Team Leader of the Council Plans Team and works within a small team of
planning and project staff. The Senior Planning Officer will be required to provide support and
guidance to less experienced professional staff.
Key internal and external relationships will be with the Department, other State and Local
Government Agencies, the Development Policy Advisory Committee, development industry
groups, private organisations and community groups.
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Senior Planning Officer, Council Plans Team - Planning Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
Values
The incumbent will be required to demonstrate and align with the established values of DPLG.
These values are Teamwork - we work together as one team to achieve our shared goals and
aspirations; Professionalism - we are committed to doing the right thing in accordance with our
values and code of ethics; Respect and Service Excellence - we are courteous and open in our
dealings with others ensuring that we understand our customer expectations; Honesty and
Integrity - we work to build a culture of trust between our people and our business and
Accountability - we hold ourselves accountable for everything that we do.
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Senior Planning Officer, Council Plans Team - Planning 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. Implement the Planning Strategy and other strategic planning objectives
Critical Tasks

Prepare, undertake and assess complex projects and tasks including
Development Plan Amendments that implement the Planning Strategy.

Analyse information and prepare reports and recommendations for
Ministerial consideration.

Provide expert advice about the implementation of the Planning strategy
in policy, guidelines and programs including Development Plan
Amendments.

Liaise and negotiate with stakeholders on complex issues and processes
to resolve issues.

Contribute to other policy development and strategic planning work
within the department.
KEY RESULT AREA
2. Management of stakeholder relationship
Critical Tasks

Maintain strong, effective, positive relationships with stakeholders.

Provide information, guidance, expert advice and ongoing training to
officers in the department
KEY RESULT AREA
3. Provide expert advice
Critical Tasks

Provide expert advice on a broad range of complex issues relating to
implementing the Planning Strategy including Development Plan
Amendments.

Promote good planning practices by liaising with and providing clear,
succinct, well expressed, verbal and written advice to stakeholders.

Provide expert advice in policy formulation and work with local
government, external stakeholders and DPLG staff to produce best
practice planning policy
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Senior Planning Officer, Council Plans Team - Planning Division
Department of Planning and Local Government
4.
KEY RESULT AREA
5. Business Planning
Critical Tasks

Manage projects and achieve set targets within agreed timeframes to
ensure the key milestones are achieved.

Identify ways to improve internal and external business operating
environments and contribute to their enhancement.

Contribute to the development of policy and procedural approaches and
reforms that link to future strategic imperatives identified by the
organisation.
CORE ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCIES
COMPETENCY AREA
TYPICAL BEHAVIOURS
Operational Thinking and
Change

Manages up, knowing when and how to raise critical issues.

Maintains a positive attitude toward change initiatives and gives
attention to priority issues.
Manages Relationships

Models high standards of service delivery, always maintaining a
positive and helpful attitude.

Able to quickly and genuinely engage and be engaging, with a
wide range of issues.

Draws
logical
conclusions,
recommendations.

Identifies and monitors performance against milestones and
deadlines.

Relays blockages and issues in communication to manager.

Provides assistance and guidance to team members to ensure
performance.

Develops challenging but realistic goals for self and remains
focused on achieving desired outcomes.
Achieves Business
Excellence
Realises Results
Exemplifies Personal Drive
and Professionalism
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providing
options
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Senior Planning Officer, Council Plans Team - Planning 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:
6.

A recognised degree or recognised post graduate qualification in the discipline of planning or such
qualifications in urban and regional planning, or geography or related disciplines to satisfy
requirements for prescribed qualification for the purpose of Section 101 of the Development Act
1993.

Experience in providing expert planning advice and professional judgement on complex matters.

Good understanding of the statutory development assessment process under the Development Act
1993.

Well established analytical, conceptual and problem solving skills

Well developed project management and time management skills

Well developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively within a team and with
other stakeholders; and occasionally leading the team
APPROVAL
Employee signature: _________________________________________
Date:
_________________________________________
Manager signature: _________________________________________
Date:
_________________________________________
Delegate Approval: _________________________________________
Date:
_________________________________________
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