Full job description
Award Classification: Level 4-5

Employment Conditions:
Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream B) Award – State
2017

Department / Branch: Engineering / Local Laws

Principal Location: Council Works Depot, Hughenden

Reports to: Senior Operational Works Coordinator (or as directed)

Direct Reports: Nil

Flinders Shire

Our Vision: Flinders Shire – a place of discovery, opportunity and lifestyle

Our Mission: To promote quality of life through leadership, attitude and respect

Our Values: • A Caring Philosophy

Pursuit of Excellence
Teamwork
Local Ownership
Communication
Leadership
Recognition
Council Structure















Position Objective

The Local Laws Officer is responsible for effective management, control and compliance of Councils Local
Laws and Domestic Animal Management across Flinders Shire.

As a representative of Council, demonstrated professionalism and a commitment to a high level of service
and continuous improvement in the best interest of Council and the Community are essential.


Office of the Chief Executive Officer
• Investment, Attraction & Economic Development

Executive Support
Human Resources
Corporate & Financial
Services

Financial Control
Information &
Communication Technology
Business & Customer Services
Governance & Regulatory
Compliance
Workplace Health & Safety
Engineering


Open Spaces & Community
Assets
Asset Management
Project Management
Roads & Infrastructure
Community Services &
Wellbeing

Community Development &
Engagement
Tourism
Community Care
Regional Marketing &
Promotion
Media / Communications


Key Responsibilities

Local Law Compliance

Effectively investigate requests / complaints regarding matters covered by Council Local Laws
including animal management, parking and control of nuisances
Review information obtained from the public or other stakeholders regarding concerns and referring
to relevant Council member where not a Local Law matter
Perform patrols to ensure compliance to Local Laws, subordinate Local Laws and State / Federal
legislation and where required issue notices regarding compliance and/or infringements
Perform Pound duties including animal husbandry, release and maintain a register of impounded
animals
Review and recommend amendments as required to Local Laws ensuring fit for Flinders Shire purpose
Maintain appropriate records, release of information and giving evidence as required by Council to
external clients such as legal representatives and within Courts of Law
Inspect as required and report any issues / concerns with security cameras across Flinders Shire
Act as an Authorised Person under Local Government Act to access and enter premises and property
to deal with complaints
Stakeholder Engagement

Manage customer requests ensuring appropriate recording of requests within Council systems and
resolving matters in a timely manner as per Council requirements
Deliver professional and informative services on behalf of Council to the community regarding Local
Laws and Environmental Health officers’ duties
Educating, guiding and advising community members to decrease breaches of legislation on Local
Laws and their compliance
General

Consistently complete allocated tasks to a high standard and within agreed timeframes
Undertake other tasks up to and including your competency and level
Actively promote the values of the organisation to staff
Actively participate in identifying, recommending, developing and implementing measures through
which allocated tasks and responsibilities may be carried out more effectively and efficiently
Administration

Ensure general administration and records management requirements are being met
Provide courteous and professional customer service to internal and external customers and
conduct all transactions in an ethical and efficient manner
Contribute positively to a supportive team-based work environment and participate in team
meetings and training sessions as required
Ensure that requests are acted on and reported upon in accordance with Council Policy
Keep the Director of Community Services & Wellbeing appropriately and adequately informed on
the current state of activities relevant to your role and to highlight in advance any points likely to
influence Council operations or relations with ratepayers and/or the public
Maintain a personal time management system to ensure deadlines are met; to ensure that other
staff of the Council are given due notice and time to comply with deadlines so that their own
personal planning is not inconvenienced
Organisational Continuous Improvement & Quality Management

Willingness and ability to adapt to challenge and opportunities:
changing workforce capabilities through multiskilling, succession planning, knowledge
management
changing technologies and operational procedures by expanding your knowledge of future
trends and required competencies

Willingness and ability to set the example and live the values
Willingness and ability to advocate a positive and constructive organisational culture


Willingness to accept responsibility for your own actions and decisions, and to be held accountable
for such
Willingness and ability to integrate the competing demands of work, home, community and self
Corporate Responsibilities

All employees are bound by the Queensland Local Government Act 2009 to act with integrity, and in a way
that shows proper concern for the public interest. All employees are responsible for acting in accordance
with the Flinders Shire Council Code of Conduct and other relevant policies, procedures and protocols as
may be applicable to the role.

Workplace Health & Safety

All workers have a duty to familiarise themselves with and comply with statutory and Flinders Shire Council
Work Health and Safety (WH&S) requirements, including the WH&S Management System, and WH&S
Policies, Procedures and work instructions.

In fulfilling this duty, workers are to:

Take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety.
Take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety
of other persons.
Comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the
person in control of the business or undertaking (PCBU) to allow the person to comply with the Work
Health and Safety Act 2011 (e.g. wearing of Personal Protective Equipment as instructed).
Cooperate with any reasonable Policy or Procedure of the PCBU relating to health or safety at the
workplace that has been notified to workers (e.g. reporting of incidents).
Participate in the consultation and communication processes as prescribed in the Consultation,
Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice 2021.
Other Requirements

This position operates from Council’s Works Depot in Hughenden, however, may be required to
travel within the Local Government Area and work outside of standard business hours to meet the
requirements of the role.
Travel (including outside of normal hours) to attend training may be required
The incumbent must be:
prepared to work flexible hours to meet the requirements of the position;
willing to obtain a ‘Suitability Card’ to enable the incumbent to work with or supervise people
less than eighteen (18) years of age if required;
medically fit and physically capable to meet requirements of the position;
Prepared, if required, to undertake a medical assessment by Council’s medical practitioner;
and
Prepared, if required, for Council to undertake a Criminal History Check
Organisational Relationships and Delegations

Internal: Operational Works Team, other portfolios across Council and senior leaders including Chief
Executive Officer

External: Community members, contractors, suppliers, government departments, general public and other
Local Government regions

Delegations: The Local Laws Compliance Officer works under limited direction, has the skills to manage
time and organisational priorities. This position has delegated decision making and purchasing authority
in accordance with Council's Delegation Register and Procurement Policy.



Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Demonstrated experience delivering compliance services while managing confidential information in
a professional and sensitive manner within a regulatory environment.

2. Ability to work a roster which includes working out of business hours and on call.
3. The ability in handling and identification of animals and where necessary, seizure, processing, care

and sustenance needs.

4. Proven communication and interpersonal skills with internal and external stakeholders including
developing and maintaining community networks and confidently relaying Council information to
the public.

5. Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service, and the ability to respond to all customer
enquiries in a professional and patient manner, achieving mutually agreeable solutions and de-
escalating conflict.

6. Ability to work within a team with minimal supervision, establish work priorities, meet deadlines,
actively follow up and resolve outstanding tasks while ensuring attention to detail.

7. Demonstrated sound level of Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of
corporate and other programs used by Council such as Authority and TRIM.

8. Current unrestricted C Class drivers’ licence.
9. Commitment to uphold Council’s Code of Conduct, Workplace Health and Safety and Anti-

Discrimination policies.

Desirable

10. Tertiary education in Animal Management, Local Government (Health and Environment),
Government Investigations or a related field.