Development Compliance Officer

Ararat Rural City Council; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Flexible working options

Health & wellbeing program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Ararat Rural City Council is seeking a Development Compliance Officer to investigate and resolve planning and development compliance matters, applying the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and council policies.

You will engage landowners, developers and the community to achieve voluntary compliance where possible and support regulatory responsibilities through effective regulation of land use and development.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning, Environmental Planning or related discipline.
• Several years’ experience in statutory planning, planning enforcement, compliance, regulation or related field.
• Qualification in investigations, compliance, regulation, enforcement or law would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Investigate alleged breaches of planning legislation, permits, agreements and development-related requirements.
• Assist with building and development compliance matters through inspections, investigations and referrals.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and evidence gathering activities.
• Manage complex enforcement matters and determine appropriate compliance or enforcement response.
• Prepare and issue enforcement documentation, including Notices to Comply and infringement notices.
• Monitor compliance outcomes and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Investigation & enforcement

Regulatory knowledge

Communication & stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Records management

Education

Town Planning/Environmental Planning degree

Job description

Ararat Rural City Council is located 2 hours northwest of Melbourne and is a growing regional centre, a trend which is predicted to continue as more people pursue a tree-change lifestyle with all essential services at their fingertips.

We recognise that our employees are the key to making a difference and delivering our vision for a vibrant and sustainable community. Council is committed to serving our community in a friendly and professional way and offers fantastic employee conditions including a 9-day fortnight, flexible working options, a health and wellbeing program, professional development opportunities, and much more.

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion, allowing our staff to thrive and grow.

About You :

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualification in Town Planning, Environmental Planning or a related discipline.
• Several years’ experience in statutory planning, planning enforcement, compliance, regulation or a related field.
• Qualification in investigations, compliance, regulation, enforcement or law would be advantageous.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience investigating and resolving planning, development or compliance matters in a regulatory environment.
• Sound knowledge of planning legislation, statutory planning processes and enforcement frameworks, together with the ability to interpret and apply legislative requirements.
• Experience preparing statutory notices, enforcement documentation, reports and evidentiary material to support compliance and legal proceedings.
• Proven ability to analyse complex issues, exercise sound judgement and determine appropriate compliance, enforcement and resolution strategies.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to influence, educate and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to achieve compliance outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex and varied caseload while maintaining accurate, timely and legally defensible records.

Position Summary :

The Development Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating, assessing, and resolving planning and development compliance matters in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987, relevant legislation, Council policies and regulatory requirements.

A key focus of the position is to engage, educate and work constructively with landowners, developers, businesses and community members to achieve voluntary compliance wherever possible. Through effective communication, stakeholder engagement and professional judgement, the position seeks to resolve issues proactively while balancing regulatory obligation and community expectations.

The role manages complex compliance investigations, prepares enforcement and legal documentation where required, and supports Council’s statutory responsibilities through the effective regulation of land use and development. The position operates with a high degree of autonomy, professional judgement and stakeholder engagement to achieve sustainable outcomes and protect the municipality's amenity, safety and integrity.

Key Requirements :

Accountability & Extent of Authority

• Operates with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement in managing planning compliance investigations.
• Exercises delegated authority in accordance with legislation, Council policies and procedures.
• Provides specialist advice and recommendations that inform regulatory and legal decisions.
• Ensures all investigations and enforcement actions comply with legislative and evidentiary requirements.

Judgement & Decision Making

• Independently assesses complex planning compliance matters and associated risks.
• Interprets legislation, planning controls and legal precedents to determine appropriate enforcement responses.
• Resolves complex matters where solutions require analysis, investigation and professional judgement.

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

• Extensive knowledge of planning legislation, planning schemes and permit processes.
• Experience conducting investigations and managing regulatory compliance matters.
• Ability to prepare evidence and documentation for enforcement and legal proceedings.
• Knowledge of local government governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience appearing before VCAT or courts.

Management Skills

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience managing complex projects or investigations.
• Capacity to influence and guide stakeholders in achieving compliance outcomes.
• Ability to contribute to team planning and service improvement initiatives.

Interpersonal Skills

• Highly developed analytical, communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to deal with difficult and sensitive situations professionally.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and presentations.

Job Responsibility :

Compliance and Enforcement

• Investigate alleged breaches of planning legislation, permits, agreements, planning scheme provisions and other development-related requirements.
• Assist with building and development compliance matters through inspections, investigations, information gathering and referrals as required.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and evidence gathering activities.
• Manage complex enforcement matters and determine appropriate compliance or enforcement response.
• Prepare and issue enforcement documentation, including Notices to Comply, infringement notices, and warning letters.
• Monitor compliance outcomes and maintain accurate records.

Statutory Advice and Legal Support

• Provide specialist advice on planning compliance matters and interpretation of legislation, regulations and case law.
• Prepare reports, briefs of evidence, witness statements and legal documentation.
• Liaise with legal representatives, regulatory agencies and represent Council in hearings or proceedings as required.
• Contribute to the review and continuous improvement of compliance policies, procedures and systems.

Stakeholder Engagement and Continuous Improvement

• Manage complaints, enquiries and sensitive stakeholder matters professionally and effectively.
• Develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support compliance outcomes.
• Identify emerging risks, trends and opportunities to improve planning compliance services.
• Contribute to organisational projects, reporting and service improvements initiatives.

General

• Maintain regular attendance and actively participate in performance review, feedback, coaching and development discussions to support accountability, continuous improvement and the achievement of role expectations.
• Ensure compliance with Council’s Risk Management Policy, Risk Management Framework and OH&S Policy.
• Observe all policies and procedures of Council.
• Any other duties as required within the scope of the position.

Job Functions :

Local

Job Benefits :

• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities to strengthen your planning and compliance expertise.
• Flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance.
• Access to Council's wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance program.
• Competitive salary, superannuation and leave entitlements under the applicable enterprise agreement.

Selling Point :

Support safe, responsible development through proactive compliance and community engagement.