Senior Planning Policy Officer

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Senior Planning Policy Officer. Terms and conditions vacancy

Job Title:  Senior Planning Officer

ob Grade / Classification:  PO2

Employment Type: On-going, Full-time (multiple on-going and temporary roles)

Location:  Sydney CBD (Relocating to Parramatta at the end of 2019)

Agency overview

The Department of Planning and Environment plays an important role in shaping a vibrant and prosperous future for New South Wales.

One of the Department’s key responsibilities is effective and sustainable planning to support the growth challenge for NSW. It makes plans, assesses proposals and develops timely policy based on evidence. To do this requires long-range thinking, integrated planning, clear and consistent policies and balanced assessment.

The Department is part of the broader Planning and Environment Cluster, which also includes agencies such as the Office of Environment and Heritage, the Office of Local Government and the Environment Protection Authority. Together, we work to create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of our state’s resources.

The Department is doing innovative and award winning work on a range of policy fronts, including wind energy guidelines and social impact assessment guidelines for major projects, the biggest reforms of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A) since the Act’s introduction nearly 40 years ago, Better Placed and the low rise medium density code. The Department strongly supports flexible working arrangements and continual learning and development to ensure its staff have the capabilities to deliver their work and get them to where they want to go.

Working at the Department is an opportunity to be part of something bigger, to help build and deliver the State’s future, to embrace new challenges and learn from some of the nation’s best and brightest.

If you are a highly motivated, passionate, self starter, with a love of policy we want you!

About the Role:

The roles are within the Resources Policy and Reform Implementation Branch, which is within the Department’s Policy and Strategy Division. Our area of policy responsibility relates to building regulation, industry and infrastructure development, resources development, the environment and sustainability. We are also responsible for implementing the major reforms recently made to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and undertaking a review of the Act’s principal regulation.

Our key functions are to:

•         Development, implement, review and continuously improve policy
•         Implement reform of the EP&A Act
•         Review and remake the EP&A Regulation
•         Prepare policy analysis and advice
•         Administer environmental planning instruments and State and national programs
•         Engage and collaborate regularly with internal and external stakeholders

Our goal is to provide strategic policy leadership and deliver policy solutions with our stakeholders.

Primary purpose of the role

The Senior Policy Officer develops, implements and reviews existing planning policies and legislative reform initiatives within the context of broader policy and delivery frameworks. The role provides advice on complex policy issues to assist and deliver a streamlined planning system in line with Government and Department objectives.

Essential requirements

•          Degree in a relevant discipline or relevant experience
•          Demonstrated policy experience and understanding of government processes

To be successful in the role, ideally you can:

•  Coordinate policy development, implementation and review projects and initiatives to contribute to improved policy directions and outcomes
• Provide timely, expert and accurate advice to support informed decision making across the Department about policy issues and initiatives
• Undertake qualitative and quantitative research and analysis to evaluate issues and formulate evidence based options and recommendations to support policy and program development and implementation
•  Develop policy collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to ongoing policy monitoring and evaluation to assess the social and economic impacts of policy and to enhance consistent policy execution and quality service delivery
• Prepare reports, submissions, briefing notes and correspondence to a high standard and to address identified issues and respond to requests for information.

Please read the following documents prior to preparing your application:

·         Role description

·         Application Guide

·         Applying for a role in the NSW public Sector.

Job Notes:

A recruitment pool may be established for future temporary and ongoing roles with similar focus capabilities. The recruitment pool will be available to hiring managers from DPE and other NSW Public Sector agencies for a 12-month period.  

To Apply: 

Complete all the questions in the online application. Two of the questions will require you to provide specific examples from your experience (4000-character limit per question). These questions are shown below. Do not address these in your cover letter.

Q1. Problem solving is a key aspect of the Senior Policy Officer role. Describe a time you dealt with a complex problem. Why was it complex? How did you approach the issue? What tools and tactics did you use and what outcome did you achieve?

Q2. The Senior Policy Officer is a senior member of the team and responsible for supporting both junior and senior staff as well as self-directing a large portion of their own work. Provide an example of when you have delivered a result on a difficult project. How did you plan your work to ensure delivery and manage changes in priority? What resources did you use?

The information provided in your application needs to show how you meet the focus capabilities and other essential requirements of the role. (Refer to the role description for details about the capabilities and the associated behavioural indicators. The role description also lists the essential role requirements.)

Our commitment to diversity:

The Department of Planning and Environment values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, and those with a disability.

Applications Close: Sunday, 23rd July 11:59pm

Should you require further information about the role please contact Nathan Laird on (02) 9274 6549. If you have any enquiries regarding the recruitment process please contact Carlo de los Santos on (02) 9585 6460.