TOWN PLANNER - GEORGE

• Core Professional Competencies: Monitoring and Control, Negotiation, Planning and Organising
• Functional Competencies: Land Use Management, Information Management, Research, Information Analysis and Policy, Knowledge Management, Public Consultation, Socio-Economic/Socio-Political Awareness, Policy Conceptualisation
• Public Service Orientation: Interpersonal Relationships, Communication, Service Delivery Orientation, Client Orientation and customer Focus
• Personal Competencies: Action Orientation, Resilience, Change Readiness, Learning Orientation, Problem Solving, Accountability and Ethical Conduct
• Management/Leadership Competencies: Impact and Influence, Direction Setting, Team Orientation, Coaching and Mentoring

• Assist the immediate supervisor to scrutinize, examine, analyse, comment on and collate internal departmental comments applicable to pre application submissions.
• Assess the application's compliance with all application submission requirements and standards, title deeds restrictions, planning law, applicable policies and frameworks or plans, and other related disciplines and laws.
• Ensure that applicants submit all the relevant documents required in land use applications to meet the requirements as set out in applicable guidelines and Planning By Laws as well as any additional information requested during the pre application assessment.
• Draft land use application reports to decision makers by selecting the most appropriate report format, evaluating said applications and making recommendations to approve or refuse statutory land use development applications in accordance with provisions of applicable planning law prior to a decision being taken.
• Provide assistance to the immediate supervisor to evaluate, comment on and recommend appeal applications submitted against decisions taken by the Authorised Official or Planning Tribunal, to ensure that appeals are dealt with according to the prescribed processes.
• Provide assistance and support to the immediate superiors in the management of key processes, applications and requirements related to the development and/or amendment of town planning policies and by laws, including the establishment of project teams, formulating the project brief, engaging with key stakeholders/role players, facilitating community involvement, packaging community projects, capacity building interventions for civil society structures, etc to ensure that due consideration is given to critical needs of the institutions and communities concerned.
• Monitor and ensure that land use application approvals are implemented, as well as developmental parameters and conditions of approval are complied with in accordance with applicable legislation in the assessment of building plans, site development plans, Homeowners Association Constitutions and Architectural Guidelines.
• Draft and issue zoning certificates and ensure compliance with the zoning of the property (investigating previous approvals and history of the property).
• Monitor compliance with conditions of approval, town planning legislation, regulations and other legal requirements, including the undertaking of any necessary legal action or reporting to the responsible authority, including the undertaking of routine inspections and liaising with other departments should other laws be affected, to ensure that all land use planning requirements are adhered to.
• Disseminate municipal planning information, participate and engage in various meetings (internal and external forums) and provide comments/opinions on matters affecting or concerning the functionality; collect factual information and conduct investigation / research when attending - and responding to public enquiries or providing advice and recommendations on Town Planning matters to ensure that the information, advice or opinions provided are made available and/or communicated through the various mediums, and accurately interpreted through the provision of adequate and clear explanation.
• Identify, define, align and implement key requirements associated with the municipal land use planning, keeping abreast with changes in trends, demands and legislation; presenting concepts to improve service delivery levels and standards, and current electronic systems, and formulate proposals to support improvement initiatives and interventions.
• Undertake research and identify the need to amend developmental planning policies and schemes, preparing reports to the immediate superiors for consideration and adoption, and assisting the supervisor with internal / external departmental and other authority meetings and engagements relating to the Town Planning function to ensure the functionality is positioned to deliver on strategic developmental planning objectives.
• Serve as member of a Planning Tribunal of applicable municipality, to attend caucus' and meetings, obtain all information needed to take a decision, decide on applications before the Tribunal and ensure that decisions taken by the Tribunal are aligned with applicable planning laws, agreements, delegations and powers assigned to it by the Council concerned.

• Must have good communications and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to be analytical and take informed decisions.
• Must be willing to attend meetings outside of normal office hours.
• Must be able to work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Must be able to communicate (read, write, speak) in at least two official languages of the Western Cape Province.
• The professional applications associated with the post necessitate in depth understanding and knowledge of the principles, policies and legislative requirements.

• Relevant tertiary qualification preferably a B Degree / National Diploma in Architecture / Urban Design or equivalent Planning Degree.
• Working towards or completed registration as a Professional Planner / architect / urban designer with SACPLAN i.e. Candidate Member.
• Code B Driving License.
• Computer Literacy (MS Office).
• 2 - 5 years relevant experience required.

George Municipality is an equal opportunity employer which subscribes to the principle of affirmative action and Employment Equity. Preference will be given to applicants from the designated/under represented groups.

Probation period: 6 months.

The closing date for applications is at 16:30 PM.