CITY OF MELTON

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Supporting the growth, well-being and aspirations
of our community through leadership, excellence

POSITION : Neighbourhood Program Officer

CLASSIFICATION : Band 5

AWARD : Melton City Council Enterprise

Agreement No 8 2016

DIRECTORATE : Community Services

and inclusion

SERVICE UNIT Community Planning

APPROVED BY : Manager, Community Planning

DATE APPROVED : 15 August 2014

SIGNED : ___________________________

NAME OF INCUMBENT :

SIGNED : ___________________________

DATED : ___________________________
1. POSITION OBJECTIVE

Develop and deliver accessible services, activities and programs within

Council’s Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres that are responsive
to the needs of local communities.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

 Work collaboratively to plan, implement and evaluate a suite of programs

and activities that respond to the identified needs of the community.

 Support the development and implementation of operational practices,

policies and procedures for the Neighbourhood House and associated
community programs.

 Support the development and implementation of a range of community

engagement processes to guide the development and delivery of Council’s
community programs.

 Implement marketing initiatives to increase awareness and participation in

programs and services delivered from Council’s Neighbourhood Houses and
Community Centres.

 Recruit and provide direction and support to contract tutors, volunteers and
students working within the Neighbourhood House program.

 Actively participate in strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships to

improve service outcomes.

3. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to Team Leader, Neighbourhood Houses.

Supervision Contract Tutors, Volunteers, Students,

External Service Providers (onsite).

Internal Liaisons All Council Units.

External Liaisons Residents, Neighbourhood Houses,

Community groups, Department of Health &
Human Services, Educational Institutions
and Community Organisations.

4. ACCOUNTABILITY & EXTENT OF AUTHORITY

 Responsible for the effective coordination of the day-to-day operations of a

Neighbourhood House Program.
  Provide analysis and advice on community trends, directions and the needs of
Neighbourhood Houses.

 Provide leadership to Council’s Neighbourhood House contract tutors,

volunteers and students.

 Responsible to deliver on funding agreements, agreed service plans, policies

and strategies.

 Ensure accountability requirements to Council, its partners and external

funding bodies are met.

 Ensure compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety
regulations at all times.

5. JUDGEMENT & DECISION MAKING

 Able to work independently and to make decisions on a daily basis within the
area of professional expertise and in accordance with approved performance
plan, Council policies and strategies.

 Problem solving on day-to-day issues is required and direction should be

sought on wider issues.

 Advocate for community needs and ensure referrals to Council and other
organisations are appropriate and conducted in such a way as to minimise
inconvenience to community members.

 Ability to represent and participate within identified Council planning

meetings, sector meetings and forums relevant to the Neighbourhood House
and community centre programs.

 Provide advice and support to relevant committees and stakeholders within

Council guidelines and policy parameters.

 Ability to seek and apply for appropriate external funding opportunities to

support Neighbourhood House programs and activities.

6. SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

 Knowledge and understanding about the philosophy and operational

requirements of Neighbourhood House programs.

 Experience in managing community consultation processes with

understanding of the required commitment to a collaborative approach to
community development.

 Ability to analyse reports / research and summarise relevant issues and

trends for the continuous improvement of administered programs and policy.
  Administrative skills and capabilities to meet the demands of the position.

 Experience with computer software, including Microsoft Office Applications

and Internet technology.

 Knowledge or the ability to acquire knowledge of growth municipalities and

the role of local government.

7. MANAGEMENT SKILLS

 Organisational skills in preparing and implementing community activities and

communication strategies.

 Ability to prioritise individual tasks, develop specific time lines and work
without direct supervision.

 Ability to identify and initiate new opportunities and be innovative in

developing new concepts to improve services.

 An ability to manage all functions of the Neighbourhood House programs and

meet the requirements of the funding agreements.

 Knowledge of techniques and processes to supervise contract tutors, and

motivate, supervise and monitor the development of students and volunteers.

 Ability to monitor and participate in the development of budgets.

 Demonstrated skill to initiate an appropriate organisational response to ensure

customers receives the best possible service.

8. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

 Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to

adapt communications to identified need and/or purpose, build relationships
and gain cooperation with stakeholders with varied levels of understanding
and/or experience.

 An ability to work effectively within a team environment.

 Ability to be empathic towards a diverse range of residents and community

organisations.

9. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

 A degree / diploma qualification relevant to the role, or lesser formal

qualifications with work skills and relevant experience.

 A current Victorian Driver’s Licence.

10. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

 A degree / diploma qualification relevant to the role, or lesser formal

qualifications with work skills and relevant experience.

 Knowledge and understanding about the philosophy and operational

requirements of Neighbourhood House programs.

 Ability to prioritise individual tasks, develop specific time lines and work
without direct supervision.

 Knowledge of techniques and processes to supervise contract tutors, and

motivate, supervise and monitor the development of students and volunteers.

 An ability to work effectively within a team environment.

 Experience in managing community consultation processes with

understanding of the required commitment to a collaborative approach to
community development.

 Ability to identify and initiate new opportunities and be innovative in

developing new concepts to improve services.

 Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to

adapt communications to identified need and/or purpose, build relationships
and gain cooperation with stakeholders with varied levels of understanding
and/or experience.