Current Vacancies

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Plumbing and Drainage/Building Inspector

Our busy Building Inspections Team is seeking a new team member, to specialise in plumbing and drainage compliance. This position involves checking building consent plans for compliance with the NZ Building Code, and the inspection of building projects against the consented documents.

The successful applicant is likely to have previous experience in plumbing and drainage, possibly in design or installation.

You will also need good customer service, communication and computer skills, as well as the ability to review plans and specifications.

This is a significant opportunity for an ongoing career in building control. Changes in the legislative environment mean this is a great time to begin a career in this field. Intensive training will be provided as required, so a willingness and ability to learn is essential.

Closing date: Ongoing vacancy

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Job Description

Position title: Building Officer Plumbing and Drainage
Reports to: Team Leader Inspectorate/Consents

Purpose of the role

To carry out the duties of a Building Officer Plumbing and Drainage, including:

Inspection and/or processing of building consents and other building control in accordance with the requirements of the Building Act and related policies and procedures.
Contributing to the skill development, knowledge and professional development of the group.
Assisting with and positively contribute to the development of process improvement and change.
Educating plumbing and drainage practitioners on the building control process and requirements, and acceptable plumbing and drainage methods.
The maintenance of positive customer relations and the resolution of issues.
Effectively communicating in writing and verbally with a wide variety of internal and external customers on matters relating to the groups function.
Ensuring plumbing and drainage processes are coordinated with the council's management of other legislation including the Local Government Act 2002, the Resource Management Act 1991, Health Act 1956, Food Act 1981, and Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

There may be occasions when the officer will be required to work outside normal office hours to carry out duties such as attending or presenting to meetings, seminars, educational initiatives and carrying out special projects.Return to top

Position dimensions

Number of people in your group as at 1 April 2008 - Inspectorate - 8; Consents - 6

Key relationships

Internal: Other Regulatory Services Teams, Regulatory Services Managers and Team Leaders, Customer Support Teams, Assets Teams (e.g. Water and Waste, and Roading).
External: Building consent applicants, building professionals, property owners and occupiers, other local authorities, consultant engineers, plumbing and drainage practitioners.

Key responsibilities

Building Control (60 per cent of job, high importance)

Means:
• Undertake plumbing and drainage consent processing and scheduled inspections.
• Advise plumbing and drainage practitioners with regard to plumbing and drainage practice.
• Liaise with consent applicants and other council teams.
• Prioritise workload.
• Liaise with consent applicants and other council teams.
• Participate in process re-engineering.

Expected results:
• Inspections and/or consent processing is undertaken in a manner that ensures compliance with the Building Act 2004 and the related policies, procedures and correct documentation.
• Building control functions are carried out in a manner that provides high quality outcomes that meet or exceed customer expectations and meets relevant KPI’s.
• A high degree of cross communication and cooperation with other council teams involved in the process is maintained.
• Resources are maximised.
• Cost recovery achieved in accordance with current policy.
• Building consents are processed within target timeframes.Return to top

Provide services to the maintenance of the quality management process (10 per cent of job, high importance)

Means:
• Maintain systems and processes for building control accreditation.
• Partake in internal audits of processes.
• Maintain statistics and records of personal training achievements.
• Assist in facilitation of internal training and education.
• Endeavour to perform operations according to procedures, and maintain a watch over possible improvements.
• Reports to Manager Quality Assurance as required too maintain accreditation status.

Expected results:
• Accreditation is maintained.
• Internal auditing is performed as scheduled.
• Personal training is recorded in quality assurance records, and further training is negotiated with the manager.
• Recorded participation in internal training is evident.
• Policies and procedures are followed according to the developed manual.
• Participation in improvement and monitoring of policies and procedures.

Building Act enforcement (4 per cent of job, medium importance)

Means:
• Inspect complaints relating to unauthorised plumbing and drainage works and other related issues.
• Determine appropriate enforcement action.
• Prepare and issue appropriate documentation where non-compliance is established.
• Assist with the preparation of information to support any legal action taken.
• Non-compliance is addressed using a combination of education and enforcement.

Expected results:
• Complaints are investigated, reported and responded to within agreed response times and in accordance with relevant policy and procedures.
• The complaint records required by legislation are maintained.Return to top

Provide technical assistance to the public (15 per cent of job, high importance)

Means:
• Provide technical advice and respond to enquiries at the public counter, educational presentations or by phone, email or letter.
• Active participation in education initiatives.

Expected results:
• Customers receive appropriate technical advice on building consent requirements and the council’s “Customer Service Standards” are met.
• Cost recovery achieved in accordance with current policy.
• Education initiatives are relevant to those using the council’s building consent services and achieve greater understanding and closer relationships with building practitioners.

Professional development and accreditation (5 per cent of job, medium importance)

Means:
• Opportunities for personal and professional development are identified and training undertaken in agreement with managers.
• Training focused on accreditation needs.

Expected results:
• Building Consents Team members gain the technical knowledge required to achieve competency in all areas of responsibility.
• Accreditation of individual team members and the Building Team is achieved at the earliest opportunity.

Quality systems and process improvement (5 per cent of job, medium importance)

Means:
• Implement and adhere to quality systems to ensure compliance with codes of practice and standards required by the Building Industry Authority.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives.

Expected results:
• Council methods meet or exceed recognised best practice for NZ local authorities, and adopted council quality systems.Return to top

Other duties – including workplace health and safety and policy development (1 per cent of job, medium importance)

Means:
• Contribute to meetings, seminars and written media.
• Contribute to team discussions and assist with the preparation of policy and submissions on building issues and proposed legislative changes.
• Council’s workplace health and safety policy is complied with.

Expected results:
• The Building Consents Team contributes to development of council policy and national legislation.
• No work related health and safety incidents.

Expected behaviours

• Commitment and accountability.
• Applying expertise.
• Customer driven.
• Effective communication.
• Teamwork.

Optional (where applicable):
• Leadership.
• Coaching for performance.
• Relationship with elected members.

Cognitive competencies

• Ability to think logically.
• Ability to cope with pressure.
• Ability to work methodically
• Good comprehension skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Good numeracy skills.Return to top

Physical competencies

• Normal visual and aural acuity.
• General fitness at a level to be able to cope with the demands of the job.
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods.
• Sustained ability to concentrate.
• Clear diction.

Qualifications and knowledge

• A tertiary qualification relevant to the interpretation and application of the Building Act (preferred).
• Practical application of that qualification.
• Driver’s licence.

Experience

• Experience in plumbing and drainage design and installation.
• Experience in building consent processes, preferably within a Local Authority.
• Working in an office and outdoors environment.
• Working in a team.
• Providing customer services.
• Using Microsoft Office products and database systems.

Major challenges

• Increasing compliance with legislation and bylaws.
• Maintain and enhance own knowledge of Building Act and other legislation.
• Complying with new codes of practice and quality systems.
• Identifying opportunities to improve services to customers.

Key performance indicators

• Customer satisfaction.
• Employee satisfaction.
• Mayor/councillor satisfaction.
• Targeted input to plan outcomes e.g. strategic, annual plans.
• Efficient utilisation of resources – people, assets, finance.
• Accidents/incidents.
• Complaints.
• Absenteeism.Return to top

Specific Terms and Conditions

The general conditions of appointment are set out in the New Plymouth District Council Officers Collective Employment Agreement. The main features and job specific features are set out below:

a) Remuneration
The remuneration for the position is $48,025 (85 per cent) to $56,500 (100 per cent) per annum.

b) Hours of Work
The standard ordinary hours shall not exceed 160 hours every four weeks between the hours of 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday inclusive.

c) Dress
The appointee shall maintain a neat and tidy standard of dress during working hours.

d) Health and Safety
The appointee shall be required to wear appropriate safety equipment as and when necessary and co-operate and participate in the council’s health and safety programme. Safety equipment will be provided by New Plymouth District Council.

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