This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Building Consent structural engineering reviews by internal and external contract engineers'.

 
Position description 
Position title: 
Position number: 
Structural Engineer
70058985 
 Division: 
Reports to: Team Leader 
Operations 
Regulatory Engineering
Department:
Direct reports (number): 
Regulatory Engineering
Nil 
Unit: 
Indirect reports (number): 
Regulatory Engineering 
Nil 
Team: 
Location: 
Structural Engineering
Auckland 
Accountabilities of position 
Purpose of position: 
Provision of high quality assessments of building consent applications, to provide structural engineering advice, 
to ensure the delivery of a customer-focussed processing service for building consents and related approvals, 
that achieves or exceeds statutory or customer service targets while ensuring compliance with the Building Act 
and Building Code. 
Key responsibilities 
Expected outcomes 
Technical Processing and Advice 
 Assist in the operation and assessment of building 
 Building consents issued will meet the 
consent application processing by the provision of 
requirements of the Building Code in relation to 
structural and geotechnical engineering advice and 
structural elements.
the assessment of applications within required 
 Building consent statutory requirements are met in 
timeframes
relation to natural hazards and earthquake risk to 
 Assess applications against the provision of the 
buildings
Building Act, building code, Bylaws, Council’s 
engineering standards and relevant codes of practice
 Quality of input is maintained at a high level, meeting 
statutory requirements of the Building Act, Local 
Government Act, as required.
 Assist in the project management of applications to 
facilitate an effective team approach and ensure 
input is effectively coordinated
 Work with building control staff and provide advice on 
all engineering issues relation to the Building Act, 
building code and related legislation.
 Ensure compliance with the Building Act, Local 
Government Act, Building Code, District Plan, Code 
of Practice and quality control procedures
 Provide information enabling effective decision 
making and carry out compliance assessments as 
required
 Record natural hazards and make the decision 
require to either impose or up lift Section 73 hazard 
notices
Operational delivery 
 Ensure that proposed building and development
 Statutory and customer service timeframes and
Structural Engineer  
        June 2018

work complies with the appropriate regulatory and 
requirements are met or exceeded 
safety legislation and building codes prior to the 
 Effective management of and resolution of 
issuing of building consents  
complaints.
 Review submitted plans and consent applications 
 Provide a best practice service to applicants, the 
and identify for approval or refusal as appropriate
public and other interested groups that meets or 
 Participate in any pre-application meetings as 
exceeds customer service requirements
required
 Customers are aware of Council's requirements to 
 Apply risk management policies, procedures and 
obtain consents
practices appropriately
 Building Consents ans associated applications 
 Ensure consents data base is accurately completed 
are processed quickly and efficiently
in a timely manner
 Structural risks are appropriately managed and 
 Complete timesheets to record all chargeable and 
building consent assessments are proportionate 
non-chargeable time on a daily basis
to that risk.
 Assume responsibility for resolving issues at first 
 Our systems and processes are robust, and 
point of contact (within delegations); escalate any 
appropriate. Better ways of doing business are 
issues to the Team Leader as required
continually identified and considered.
 Timeliness objectives are met to ensure delays in 
consent processing are minimised
 Liaise with customers to seek additional information 
where application details are unclear or potentially 
non-compliant
 Customer needs are identified and where possible 
accommodated
 Relationships are maintained and enhanced with 
both internal and external stakeholder
 Continuous improvement initiatives are identified and 
seen through to fruition
Customer service 
 Effectively investigate and resolve escalated
 Issues resolved at the first point of contact
customer complaints and incidents keeping
wherever possible
customers informed at each stage of the process
 Feedback is provided to customers in a
 Develop and maintain effective relationships with
professional, timely and courteous manner
managers in business units
 Processes of applications and or enquiries identify
 Clearly and concisely communicate the technical and
and meet customer needs and/or requirements
specialist advice to building consent applicants
 Complaints and incidents appropriately managed
 Balance customer needs whilst ensuring that Council  Excellent relationships and built and maintained
and CCO engineering standards and building code
requirements are maintained
 Provide professional advice to all other internal
professionals, the public and other Council groups,
committees, local boards and other external
agencies, particularly in relation to complex building
consent applications
 Seek to resolve any issues with infrastructure
CCO’s, planning or building applications, escalate
any issues to the team leader as required.
Risk management 
 Ensure risk management processes are applied
 Risk register is up to date and meets legal and
appropriately to all aspects of consent processing
Council policy obligations
 Unusual risks are reported to the team leader
 Identified risks and their assessment, control,
treatment and responsible officer recorded in the risk
register
Structural Engineer  
      June 2018

Organisational obligations 
 Action Auckland Council’s good employer 

obligations
Auckland Council meets its obligations as an
and equal employment bicultural policies and
employer
practices
 Auckland Council’s reputation is enhanced within
 As an employee of the Council you are required to
the community
be associated, as required, with Civil Defence
 Health and safety requirements upheld
Emergency Management or any exercise that might
be organised in relation to this council function.
 Promote a safe and healthy workplace by
undertaking responsibilities as outlined in Auckland
Council’s health and safety policy and procedures
 Promote activities and initiatives that assist Auckland
Council achieve its vision and mission
 Promote one-organisation initiatives and action these
service characteristics
 As an employee of Auckland Council you are
required to familiarise yourself with and comply with
all organisation policies, including but not limited to,
Auckland Council Code of Conduct
Key relationships 
Internal 
 All team leaders within the unit, team manager policy and training, human resources, legal, finance
External
 Consent applicants, Engineering Consultants, Architects, Developers and other Industry Groups.
Type of person suitable for this position 
Qualifications 
 A  Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering with Structural Engineering as a major (to be recognised by IPENZ)
 Sound knowledge of relevant New Zealand legislation, Building Regulations and New Zealand Building Code.
 CPEng (New Zealand) or MEng - with Structural Engineering as the practice area
 A current New Zealand driver's license
Experience 
 Those with CPEng, to ideally have a minimum of 5 years experience in Structural Engineering of which 3 
years is associated with Structural engineering designs of residential, commercial and industrial buildings in 
New Zealand. Experience in structural design peer reviews for compliance with New Zealand Building Code 
will be an added advantage.
 Those with MEng, to ideally have a minimum of 7 years experience in Structural Engineering of which 4 years 
is associated with Structural engineering designs of residential, commercial and industrial buildings in New 
Zealand. Experience in structural design peer reviews for compliance with New Zealand Building Code will be 
an added advantage
Core competencies – people leader and specialist 
 Lead our vision and values – keeping the organisation’s vision and values at the forefront of staff decision
making and action.
 Enable innovation and improvement – encouraging self and others to seek opportunities for different and
innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitating the implementation and
acceptance of change within the workplace.
 Choose the right people – working with the recruiting team, evaluating and selecting internal and external
talent to ensure the best match between the individual and the work requirements.
 Develop team members – planning and supporting the development of individuals’ skil s and abilities so that
they can fulfil current or future job/role responsibilities more effectively.
 Building working relationships – developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the
accomplishment of work goals.
Structural Engineer  
      June 2018

 Focus on customer service – ensuring that customer and stakeholder perspectives are a driving force
behind decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet or exceed customers’,
stakeholders and own organisation’s needs.
 Monitor resources – setting up on-going procedures to collect, and review information and resources
needed to manage outcomes.
 Deliver results – setting high goals for personal and team accomplishment; using measurement methods to
monitor progress towards goals; tenaciously working o meet or exceed goals while deriving satisfaction from
that achievement and continuous improvement.
 Business know how – uses internal and external sources of data to understand and improve organisational
outcomes; uses one’s understanding of major business functions; sector trends, and own organisation’s
position to contribute to effective business strategies and decision-making.
Technical competencies 
 Good knowledge of building legislation, Building Code, relevant New Zealand Standards and the construction
and design sector
 Driven to achieve outcomes, delegates effectively and empowers others to get use all resources to achieve
the best outcomes.
 Highly organised – plans and prioritises well and manages time to focus self and others on the most
important activities.
 Personal resilience. Able to sustain a high level of energy and positivity during times when they, the
organisation or the group is under extreme pressure.
 Well developed interpersonal and relationship skills
 Excellent written and oral communication skills
Disclaimer 
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by 
incumbents in the assigned job. They are not construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills 
required of the incumbent. From time to time, personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal 
responsibilities as needed. 
Structural Engineer  
     June 2018