Job Opportunities in Australia

Community Development Officer | The Barossa Council Page 1 of 5
Position Description

Classification: General Officer Level 4
Department: Community Services
Current Occupant: Vacant
This Position Reports To: Team Leader Community Programs
Reporting To This Position: None
Location: Nuriootpa Office
Date Last Reviewed: October 2024
Approved by: Director Development and Community Service
Corporate Objectives
All Employees of Council contribute to Council’s strategic goals and objectives. The Barossa Community Plan
2020 – 2040 lays the foundation for all strategic decisions made by Council and is supported by a Corporate Plan.
The Community Plan provides a clear strategic direction across a range of areas, as well as serving as an
overarching guide to measure our decision making and successful delivery of service. The Community Plan shows
commitment to the values of Land and Place, Community, Leadership and Achievement with targets that reflect
five key themes:
Our Environment Our Council Our Economy
Our Community Our Places
Customer Service
Council values its customers and strives to provide the right people, efficient processes and systems to deliver a
quality customer experience. Every role within Council serves an internal or external customer and we are
committed to ensuring that customers are at the centre of everything we do.
Staff Values and Vision
Our organisational culture is built upon our values of Inclusiveness, Progression and Resilience, with our ultimate
vision being that ‘Our service uplifts our community’.
Inclusive We approach our work with a collaborative and respectful mindset.
Progressive We show curiosity and explore sustainable and innovative ways of working.
Resilient We are receptive and responsive to growth and change.

Community Development Officer | The Barossa Council Page 2 of 5
Position Overview
The Community Development Officer plays a key role in empowering communities by enhancing participation,
promoting equity, and implementing strategies that foster inclusion and overall well-being. The role is
instrumental in ensuring that our community has access to essential services and support, making a significant
impact on creating an activated, inclusive, and vibrant community.
Key Responsibilities
Community Engagement and Activation:

• Empower community leaders, individuals and groups to identify and implement solutions aligned with

Council’s strategic plans and actions, fostering a sustainable and resilient community.

• Provide social planning knowledge to support the development and implementation of relevant

community plans, ensuring that Council and community needs and trends are accurately reflected and
addressed.

• Partner with key stakeholders to establish Barossa Council’s presence in reference groups and steering

committees, promoting social inclusion and community well-being.

• Actively participate in industry networks, collaborating with local, regional, and state government bodies

and strategic partners to implement community well-being initiatives throughout the Barossa region.

• Contribute to developing and facilitating the Community Wellbeing Plan, ensuring alignment with

community needs and priorities and incorporating insights from social planning and community
engagement activities, Council and community led.

• Support initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness, encouraging active

participation from people of diverse backgrounds.

• Support the connection of community to appropriate mainstream and community support services or

alternative funding opportunities, ensuring they have access to necessary resources. Project and program development:

• Collaborate with the Team Leader Community Programs to design, develop, coordinate, and implement

community capacity-building project plans with clear, measurable outcomes based on evidence.

• Undertake active stakeholder engagement and consultation to support the identification and

development of opportunities for collaboration between community and Council focussing on enhancing
local mainstream and community services.

• Identify and anticipate future community trends, emerging needs and potential projects, integrating this

foresight into long-term planning and project development to ensure the Council remains responsive to
changing community dynamics.

• Conduct community mapping and analysis to assess existing community assets and identify gaps, needs,

and barriers, providing vital data to inform plans and guide strategic decision-making.

• Build and nurture meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring their alignment

with project objectives and deliverables.

• Implement and monitor strategies to enhance social inclusion opportunities for the broader community,

evaluating the effectiveness and impact of these initiatives. Continuous Improvement and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of community engagement and capacity-building

initiatives through appropriate reporting software and systems.

• Research and apply best practices, identifying system improvements to ensure ongoing efficiency and

effectiveness in community development activities.

• Comply with Council’s Code of Conduct for Employees and all other policies as varied occasionally.

• Manage all corporate records in accordance with policies and processes.

• Within the scope of this position, manage all risks within the workplace as defined by Council’s

Risk Management Policy.

Community Development Officer | The Barossa Council Page 3 of 5
Finance and Procurement:

- Operate within budget and resource constraints, monitoring and reporting as required.

• Strictly apply Council’s Procurement and Financial Delegation policies and guidelines to obtain goods

and services for Council in an ethical, optimal and appropriate manner.

• Support the development of reports and budgets related to the Community Services area outcomes and

achievements and make appropriate and informed recommendations to the Team Leader Community
Programs.

• Assist in the review, monitoring and analysis of data related to the Community Services area financial

performance and trends and utilise this information to provide recommendations for business
improvement and inform progressive action.

• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of the Annual Budget (in accordance with Council’s

Annual Budget & Business Plan and Review Policy) in consultation with Team Leader Community
Programs. Authority, Responsibility and Accountability
The Community Development Officer is authorised to:

• Work under general direction and within established guidelines and exercise initiative and judgement in

applying established processes governed by clear objectives.

• Make decisions within the scope of relevant legislative requirements and processes.

• Make decisions which are consistent and meet with Council’s processes.

• Make decisions based on data, knowledge and research.

• Utilise initiative and judgement in the selection and application of established principles, techniques and

methods as they relate to delivering Community Services outcomes. The Community Development Officer is responsible to:

• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation and within delegated authority.

• Maintain compliance with and awareness of all Council/Administrative Policies.

• Maintain compliance with and awareness of all Risk Management systems including Work Health Safety

(WHS), Injury Management and Return to Work to ensure safety and welfare of self and others in the
workplace.

• Undertake duties as a Worker in accordance with obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

• Deliver a quality customer experience in accordance with Council’s Customer Service Charter.

The Community Development Officer is accountable to the Team Leader Community Programs for
performance primarily determined upon:

• Achievement of key responsibilities as outlined in this position description to contribute to and

support Council’s Corporate Plan, Annual Budget and Business Plan and Department Plans.

• Achievement of actions as detailed in Performance Partnering (PP).

• Relationship with internal and external customers.

• Achievement of quality, cost effective and timely outcomes of projects and programs.

• The nurturing and development of a participative environment where staff at all levels are encouraged to

contribute to the development of a productive and rewarding organisation.

Community Development Officer | The Barossa Council Page 4 of 5
Position Competency Profile
Position competency profiles are assessed on an annual basis via a Training Needs Analysis and during
Performance Partnering.
Knowledge and
Skills
Specialist/Technical Skills and Knowledge

• High-level knowledge and understanding of community development principles

as it relates to building capacity within the community, including community
groups and people from identified priority population groups or socially diverse
backgrounds.

• High level skills in strength-based community engagement, empowerment and

community capacity building.

• Strong skills and capability to assess community needs and respond

appropriately.

• Strong knowledge and skills to develop, coordinate and implement programs

from initial concept through to completion and evaluation.

• Understanding of project management skills and knowledge to deliver

on Council’s Community Services strategies and plans.

• Sound promotional and marketing knowledge.

• Working knowledge of Council’s computer systems with the capacity

to demonstrate intermediate ICT skills.

• Understanding of Council’s organisational structure, operations, processes,

values and objectives.

• An understanding of and ability to follow Council’s policies and processes with

particular emphasis on the ability to apply Council’s Customer Services Charter. Local Government

• Sound knowledge of Council policies relevant to the section/department and/or

strong ability to upskill and learn relevant policies and processes.

• High level knowledge of statutory requirements relevant to the discipline.

Personal
Attributes

• Strong communication (written and verbal), presentation and engagement skills.

• Ability to build and sustain positive working relationships with staff, people at all

levels within the public and private sectors, related industry and community
interest groups.

• Highly attentive to detail.

• Provide a professional approach to complex problem solving, negotiation and

conflict resolution to resolve organisational issues.

• Professionalism in the workplace, good negotiation and conflict resolution skills to

navigate and resolve any organisational issues as arises.

• High level of time management and organisational skills required to in order to

plan and prioritise tasks and meet competing deadlines and objectives.

• Demonstrated high level of personal integrity and ethics with the ability to

maintain confidentiality and discretion.

• Demonstrated sound understanding of effective research methodologies.

• Applies understanding of effective research methodologies with the skills to put

knowledge to practice.

• Effective change management and continuous improvement skills.

• Intermediate to advanced ICT skills.

• Facilitate high level customer service.

Community Development Officer | The Barossa Council Page 5 of 5
Corporate
Applications
Essential

• Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook

Desirable

• Pathway

• Content Manager

• Technology One Ci A

• Adobe Creative Suite

Qualifications Desirable

• Tertiary qualification relevant to community wellbeing, community development,

community services or a similar discipline. Experience Essential

• Previous experience in the development and delivery of community wellbeing

programs, projects and initiatives.

• Experience managing multiple competing priorities.

• Previous experience in building community capacity.

Desirable

• Experience in working with culturally and socially diverse community groups.

Licences/Tickets • Drivers Licence (Class C)

• Working with Children’s Clearance (WWCC)

• Child Safe Environment (Mandated Notification) training is essential or willingness to

undertake