Work as part of our highly committed team to ensure the City’s important planning outcomes are robustly defended

• Salary commencing from $127,641 plus 9.5% Superannuation (negotiable upon experience)
• Permanent
• Reference number 17969

We are the City of Melbourne, a City of possibility and place to be bold and inspirational. 

We are rapidly transforming to meet the evolving challenges faced by a global city. With a vision of being a leading organisation for a leading capital city, our mission is to create positive impact for our community.  Each day, we work with passion and purpose so that together we achieve incredible things.

Together we Make the Difference 

How this position will Make the Difference to City of Melbourne…

The City takes great care in fairly and transparently assessing a wide range of planning applications but this must be matched with professional support to follow through when decisions are challenged and build up experience in this critical area.

Reporting into the Head of Statutory Planning, you will be responsible for Councils appeals case load, briefing planning consultants, lawyers and other professionals and representing Council at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) at Practice Day Hearings, Compulsory Conferences and merits hearings.

You will bring into the role a comprehensive understanding of the appeals process whilst contributing to the team. You will be aware of industry themes and trends enabling the team to continuously improve the appeals outcomes.

The role will see you working closely with other managers and team members to lead the day-to-day management of appeals and improving data collection and organisational procedures. An integral part of this role will be your ability to provide expert level recommendations and alternative courses of action, and you will sometimes be the sole decision maker on urgent Planning Appeals related matters.

The ideal candidate will have a background in a similar role or related field, with strong planning scheme knowledge and communication abilities, as well as proven negotiation and influencing skills. You will manage the team’s range of VCAT cases to ensure timely responses, improved processes and consistency of approach. This does not mean you will have direct carriage of all cases at the tribunal. Part of your role will be to manage outside representation, and another part to foster tribunal experience for team members. You will also liaise regularly with our in-house Legal team, when further support or specialist input is desirable.

You can bring… (Selection criteria)

• Ability to demonstrate and display City of Melbourne Values – accountability, integrity, courage, respect for self and others, and striving for excellence.
• Qualification to degree level in planning or eligibility for affiliate membership of PIA. Extensive experience in a similar role.
• Extensive experience in a planning office and expert knowledge of the Planning and Environment Act and planning processes.
• Ability to represent Council at public forums such as public consultation meetings, VCAT and the Magistrates Court.
• Superior interpersonal skills including the ability to mediate, negotiate and resolve conflicts and make decisions in volatile situations.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal including the ability to prepare comprehensive reports and make recommendations.
• High level organisational skills and the ability to work in a semi-autonomous environment.

By joining us, you will become part of a remarkable team who work in a constructive and inclusive culture to shape the future of this city.  Together, we champion difference, celebrate achievement and recognise positive impact.

To view the role and physical requirements of this position, please visit: https://melbourne.mercury.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?id=5O8xXYORi4g=&jbc=ere

How to apply…

As part of the online application form you are required to:

• attach your resume
• attach a separate cover letter, responding to the selection criteria (no more than three pages), as listed above under ‘You can bring…’

Please address your covering letter to Larry Parsons, Head of Statutory Planning.

Applications will be accepted up until 11:45pm Sunday 4 July 2021.

The position description for this role will not be provided at this stage of application.

For those interested in working with us, the City of Melbourne offers a great range of benefits.  If you have any questions, or for more information, please contact careers@melbourne.vic.gov.au

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City of Melbourne is proud to be a workplace that champions diversity. Our commitment is for our people to be safe, included and supported so that they can be at their best.  As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from people regardless of their gender identity and expression, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, disability and age. We look for the right values, skills and knowledge to build our capabilities so that we can best deliver for our community.