Title:Local Laws Officer

Classification:Band 5

Department:Community Safety

Division:Community Development

Reports To:Senior Local Laws Officer

Enquiries:Rod Bezanovic, Team Leader Local Laws, Ph: 03 9705 5157

  1. Position Purpose

»Undertake enforcement of various Acts, Regulations, Local Laws and policies appropriate to Councils regulatory functions.

»Provide advice and assistance to the community in regards to policies and legislation including traffic enforcement, animal management, local laws and relevant Council policies.

  1. Key Responsibility Areas

Enforcement

»Ensure that Council's statutory obligations under any Act, Regulation or Local Law for which the section is responsible are carried out in a courteous and efficient manner.

»Investigate, promote compliance and, where necessary, enforce the requirements and provision of the following legislation, including but not limited to:

»Any Council Local Laws

»Local Government Act 1989

»Road Safety Road Rules 2009

»Road Safety Act 1986

»Environment Protection Act 1970

»Country Fire Authority Act 1958

»Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008

»Graffiti Prevention Act 2007

»Summary Offences Act 1966

»Emergency Management Act 1986

»Impounding of Livestock Act 1994

»Domestic Animals Act 1994

»Road Management Act 2004

»Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1992

»In accordance with the relevant legislation, Codes of Practice and Council procedures.

»Issue infringement notices for non-compliance.

»Investigate, collect evidence such as conducting interviews, photos and samples for analysis, and complete a Brief of Evidence for review by Senior Local Laws Officers; give evidence in court as required.

»Seize and impound goods and items in accordance with legislation and Council Policy.

»Seize and impound animals found at large, confined by residents or required to be seized and held pending outcome of investigation.

General

»Carry out general and public safety patrols, and permit/registration checks throughout the municipality to identify possible breaches of statutes and to educate the community. Patrol duties may occur on evenings and weekend shifts.

»Assist with the issuing of a range of permits including registration of dogs and cats as required.

»Assist with School Crossings including attendance and performing duties as a School Crossing Supervisor when required.

»Supervise contractors engaged to undertake remedial works not complied with by property owners/occupiers when directed.

»Provide advice and information in regards to Local Laws, traffic and animal related enquiries.

»Ensure that all enquiries, complaints, plea letters, customer reports and general correspondence are attended to in a punctual and constructive manner and in accordance with corporate standards and policy to enhance the image of Council.

»Provide a proactive approach to community education to ensure community understanding of Local Laws, regulations, acts and legislation.

»Maintain appropriate records and statistics in relation to prosecutions and outcomes, infringement notices, Notice’s To Comply, plea letters, complaints, withdrawal of infringement notices, and all other related processes and procedures, ensuring all records are updated daily.

»Ensure project objectives are met by anticipating and managing potential and emerging issues.

»Influence events, promote ideas and keep abreast of new ideas, thinking and products.

»Through leadership and example promote Casey’s trademark behaviours: show respect, take responsibility, listen and respond, be positive, think things through

  1. Occupational Health & Safety Responsibilities

»Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others in the workplace.

»Ensure hazards, incidents, near misses and injuries are reported immediately.

»Support activities taken by the organisation to comply with OH&S legislation.

»Ensure only authorised, adequately trained staff undertake assigned tasks.

  1. Accountability and Extent of Authority

»Accountable for responding to complaints and requests for assistance in the control of animals, the regulation and enforcement of various legislation and for issuing infringement notices in accordance with legislation, regulations, Local Laws and Council policy.

»Accountable for the provision of advice, assistance, recommendations and education to residents on matters relating to local law compliance.

»Accountable for the care of animals or items which have been impounded on behalf of Council whilst that item is under the control of Council.

»Supervise resources, other employees and/or provide advice to or regulate clients; and/or give support to more senior employees.

»If prime responsibility is resource supervision, freedom to act is governed by clear objectives and/or budgets, frequent prior consultation with more senior staff and a regular reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to plans.

»If prime responsibility is to provide specialist advice to clients or to regulate clients, freedom to act is subject to close supervision or to clear guidelines. Effect of decisions and actions taken on individual clients may be significant but the decisions and actions are always subject to appeal or review by more senior employees.

»If prime responsibility is to provide direct support and assistance to more senior employees, freedom to act is not limited simply by standards and procedures and the quality of decisions and actions taken will often have an impact upon the performance of the employees being supported.

  1. Judgement and Decision Making

»Objectives of the work are usually well defined but the particular method, technology process or equipment to be used must be selected from a range of available alternatives.

»The work may involve problem-solving, using procedures and guidelines and applying professional or technical knowledge, or knowledge acquired through experience.

»Problems are occasionally of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously encountered situations. The employee must analyse issues from different perspectives, draw conclusions from the information available and Identify and propose practical solutions to problems.

»Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice.

»Any situation which may place Council in a sensitive position must be referred to the Manager Community Safety.

  1. Management Skills

»Skills in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising work to achieve objectives in the most efficient way possible, within the resources available and within a set timetable.

»Ability to adapt behaviour to new situations, be resilient and maintain stable performance when under pressure or opposition.

»Where supervision is part of the job, understand and be able to implement personnel practices including those related to equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety and training and development.

  1. Interpersonal Skills

»Highly developed written and verbal communication, presentation and problem solving skills.

»Demonstrated ability to defuse difficult situations with angry, aggrieved or distressed customers with tact and diplomacy.

»Ability to relate effectively with a diverse range of people, community groups and professionals.

»Capacity to handle conflict and deal with sensitive matters.

»Ability to negotiate, influence and gain cooperation and support from others.

»Ability to liaise with counterparts at other organisations to discuss specific matters.

»Ability to work with and contribute to the overall team.

»Ability to represent Council in a positive and professional manner.

»Ability to speak to groups such as school children and the general public.

»Gain co-operation and assistance from clients, the public and other employees and, where appropriate, supervise other employees.

»Establish and maintain relationships with people at all levels, listen to others, confirm understanding and recognise the importance of seeing things from others’ point of view.

Ability to write reports and/or prepare external correspondence

  1. Specialists Skills and Knowledge

»Proficiency in the interpretation and application of standardised procedures, practices, Acts, Regulations and Local Laws, and an understanding of relevant precedents, and previous decisions.

»Sound knowledge of relevant acts, regulations, Local Laws and Council policies.

»Knowledge of investigation methods and techniques.

»Ability to give evidence in a professional and unbiased manner.

»Ability to handle a wide range of animals i.e. domestic and rural animals.

»Ability to prepare accurate, detailed and timely reports and respond to correspondence.

»Demonstrated willingness to help customers.

»Knowledge and understanding of computer systems relevant to the Local Laws Team.

»Supervisors require understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes used within their operating unit.

»Specialists and employees involved in interpreting regulations require understanding of the underlying principles involved as distinct from the practices.

»Support employees require understanding of the role and function of the senior employees to whom they provide support, understanding of the long term goals of the unit in which they work, and appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation.

»All employees in this Band require:

  • Understanding of the function of their position within its organisational context, including relevant policies, regulations and precedents.
  • Ability to use the advanced features of the available digital tools relevant to the role.
  1. Inherent Physical Requirements

»Knowledge of 4 x 4 vehicles.

»Ability to undertake repetitive arm movements and manual dexterity for computer work.

»Use a computer

»Communicate clearly.

»Ability to move on foot over steep, rough and uneven ground to undertake Local Laws matters and in emergency situations.

»Physical ability to handle animals such as cats and dogs, including lifting animals into a vehicle or pen.

»Physical ability to handle, control and restrain animals including cattle, sheep, horses, goats, etc. This may involve running for short distances, either to chase animals or for personal safety reasons.

»Physical ability to hook up and tow a tandem stock crate or horse float.

»Drive a vehicle

  1. Qualifications and Experience

»Proven experience in regulatory, enforcement or similar role.

»A current Australiandrivers licence and Police Check is essential.

»Demonstrated ability to deal with conflict and stressful situations.

»A Certificate IV in Local Government Statutory Investigation and Enforcement, Animal Control and Regulation, Justice or other relevant qualification is essential for this position.

  1. Key Selection Criteria

»Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in the application of relevant legislation relating to compliance and enforcement.

»Demonstrated knowledge of investigation procedures and an ability to conduct investigations using analytical and investigative skills to ensure all information and evidence is obtained.

»Understanding of working in an agile and collaborative working environment

»Proven experience relevant to the role

  1. Conditions of Employment

»Conditions of employment are as per the City of Casey Enterprise Agreement, Casey’s policies and procedures and the letter of offer.

»Hours - The position is full-time worked on a 19-day/4-weeks arrangement

»Health Declaration - The preferred applicant is required to complete a Health Declaration form and return it to the Occupational Health and Safety Co-ordinator prior to commencement.

»Physio/Medical Examination - The preferred applicant is required to have a pre-employment physio/medical examination (at Council’s expense). Accounts for broken appointments are the responsibility of the applicant.

»Criminal Records Check - This position is subject to the successful applicant having a satisfactory Police Check prior to commencement at Council’s expense and then as regularly as the position requires as per Council Policy.

»Transport – Employees must use Council vehicles for work-related travel whenever practical to do so. If employees use privately-owned vehicles for work-related travel Council recommends the vehicle be comprehensively insured and the insurance company notified that the vehicle is being used for work-related travel. If an employee using a privately owned, comprehensively insured vehicle for work-related travel is involved in an accident they may be eligible for reimbursement of the insurance excess. Vehicles not comprehensively insured will not be eligible for reimbursement.

»Sick Leave - A medical certificate may be required for any absence and must be provided for sick leave exceeding three working days or absence on the working day before or after a rostered day off, annual leave or public holiday.

»Multiskilling - Employees may be directed to carry out any duties consistent with theirskills, competence and training provided the duties do not result in de-skilling them.

»Risk Management – Employees must comply with risk management policy and procedures.

»Employment Status - The successful applicant must provide proof of permission to work in Australiaprior to commencement.

»Probation Period - Asix month Probation Period applies to this position. This period will be extended in line with any period of unpaid or unauthorised leave.

  1. How to Apply

»Applications to be submitted through the Casey website at (preferred), or email to in Word format.

»Applications are dealt with in the strictest confidence. Details contained in your application will not be conveyed to any person not directly connected with processing your application without your express permission.

»Following the nominated close date, short-listed candidates will be contacted by telephone. The remaining candidates will be notified via email if their application has been unsuccessful.