Senior Determinations Specialist
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The primary focus of the Determinations team is to support the chief executive to exercise their powers to make determinations under the Building Act 2004. Determinations are an important function as they provide clarity of the operation of our performance based regulatory regime as well as providing a mechanism for participants in the sector to resolve disputes.
The Senior Determinations Specialist is an integral member of the Determinations team, of the Building Resolutions unit in the exercise of the statutory functions. The role is multifaceted, Senior Determinations Specialist take a leading role in managing and resolving applications for determination under the Building Act 2004.
The role includes the initial procedural assessment of application, deciding if further information or clarification is required. Senior Determinations specialists work on complex cases. A significant aspect of the role focuses on combining legal analysis and building technical knowledge to critically assess submissions and evidence under the Building Code and Building Act 2004. Senior Determinations Specialists are required to draft determinations decisions and make recommendations to the statutory appointed decision makers. At times, the role also requires selecting, briefing and supporting the appointment of technical experts.
Senior Determinations specialists are also deeply involved in ongoing continuous improvement, and mentoring, training and coaching team members.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- can demonstrate sound understanding the Building Act 2004
- ability to understand, use and explain the building regulatory framework, in particular relating to the handling of determinations under the Building Act
- experience with legal processes and systems with the ability to understand and apply relevant legislation
- ability to balance statutory and technical issues and present them with simplicity and clarity that can be understood by a range of audiences
- well-developed analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
- can identify key issues or required actions and develop workable solutions to complex problems
- can critically evaluate options and make effective decisions in spite of constraints such as time pressure or incomplete information
- capable of developing alternative pathways to achieving outcomes
- ability to work in a demanding and complex environment with statutory timeframes including capable of communicating complex information through written documents
- ability to quickly assimilate new information or areas of work
- excellent customer service skills and experience in a client facing role
- experience in word, excel and database processing packages
- can-do attitude, in particular an ability to develop a problem solving approach that meets the problem specific needs
- experience in coaching and supporting team members to support their development
- understanding of MBIE and where the team fits in delivering outcomes for the Ministry.
Qualifications
Ideally a tertiary qualification in a building related area or law or commerce.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Critical areas of success
Delivers high quality results to support the decision makers in exercising the powers to make Determinations under the Building Act.
The Senior Determinations Specialist will be required to deliver results in the following areas:
- exercising legal and building technical specialist knowledge and experience to resolve matters of doubt or dispute under the Building Act 2004
- considering complex applications and evidence and writing determinations decisions in a clear and succinct manner so they are easily read and understood by parties and others that use these documents as education material
- providing sound advice on whether to refuse or accept an application for determination, taking a lead role on cases more complex in nature.
- supporting the effective and efficient administration of processes relating to determinations
- assisting with the case management of determinations including seeking clarification and further information from parties where required
- identifying, briefing and supporting the appointment of technical experts to investigate determinations where required
- supporting the hearings process where required
- contributing to Determinations Team activities and adding value by insights and perspectives on particular cases
- contributing to the continued improvement and stewardship of the building regulatory system through sharing knowledge, experience and insights across teams within the system.
Relationship management
- manage constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and co-operation needed to achieve desired results
- participates as an active team member and contributes knowledge and expertise needed to achieve MBIE's outcomes
- develops effective working relationships with other MBIE managers and staff in order to transfer knowledge and learning from the team to the wider organisation
- builds and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, as necessary, in order to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry, its products and services
- represents whole-of-Ministry views and protects its reputation in any external interactions.
Team development
- model MBIE values and behaviours in a professional manner
- provide technical, legal and ethical guidance and direction to staff
- attend and contribute at internal staff meetings and training sessions
- sharing and contributing knowledge with other members of Building Systems Performance and Service Delivery branches, including coaching and support to members of the Determinations team.
Organisation commitment and public service
Role models the standards of Integrity and Conduct for the State Services contributes to the development of, and helps promote and builds commitment to MBIE's vision, mission, values and services by:
- willingly undertaking any duty required within the context of the position
- managing own personal health and safety, and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents
- understanding Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) principles and the application of these to MBIE
- complying with all legislative requirements and good employer obligations.
Wellbeing, health & safety
- displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives
- ensures own and others safety at all times
- complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting
- reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion
- is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Ministry comprises around 4,300 staff operating in New Zealand with a further 500 staff in overseas locations.
The Ministry has nine business groups: Building, Resources and Markets; Corporate, Governance and Information; Finance and Performance; Immigration New Zealand; Labour, Science and Enterprise; Service Delivery; the Provincial Development Unit (PDU); Managed Isolation and Quarantine; and Strategic Policy and Programmes.
The Senior Determinations Specialist position reports into the Manager, Advisory role within Building & Tenancy Services Branch in the Service Delivery Group.
The functions in this group are:
- business and Consumer
- Building and Tenancy
- Employment Services
- Engagement and Experience
- Market Integrity
- Service Quality
- Strategy and Enablement.
Key Relationships
External
- parties to determinations
- technical and legal experts engaged to provide specialist advice in relation to determinations
- other agencies, organisations and stakeholders as required.
Internal
- MBIE Technical and legal experts engaged to provide specialist advice in relation to determinations
- managers and staff in Resolution Services and Service Delivery
- managers and Staff in the Building Systems Performance, particularly the technical teams
- all managers and staff in MBIE.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
