City of Boroondara

The City of Boroondara is committed to the "Best Value Boroondara" framework, which has been developed to provide quality outcomes for the community, through the provision of responsive and efficient services.

The Boroondara workforce is critical to the efficient provision of services to our community. Council has approximately 890 employees, comprising 435 full time, 243 part time and 212 casuals. Our staff provide over one hundred different services to the Boroondara community.

Council is divided into four groups with specific functions as described below:

COMMUNITY DEVELOMPENT GROUP

The Community Development Group addresses the diverse social, cultural and recreational needs of the community.

Council facilities include a five-branch library network, five major aquatic and recreational centres, numerous sporting and cultural facilities, community and neighbourhood houses, child care centres, maternal and child health centres and kindergartens.

Other services provided include social support services, family day care, youth services, health promotion and home and community care. Council also offers a busy program of community events, including festivals and musical and artistic events.

URBAN PLANNING GROUP

The Urban Planning Group develops integrated strategic plans relating to present and future needs, assesses and coordinates planning and building approvals, and provides policy and design advice on a wide range of land related issues.

WORKS AND GOVERNANCE GROUP

The Works and Governance Group cares for Boroondara's physical infrastructure, including 600 kilometres of local roads, footpaths, more than 62,000 street trees, numerous parks, gardens and reserves, 500 kilometres of stormwater drains and approximately 420 buildings, from town halls to toilet blocks.

Works and Governance collects household waste and recyclables, keeps the City's streets and car parks clean and litter free and manages traffic flow through local streets. The group is also responsible for communicating with residents and businesses and holding public meetings.

CORPORATE RESOURCES GROUP

The Corporate Resources Group provides vitally important support services to the organisation. These services include finance management, information technology, employee services, learning and development, property services and business support.

As Council is an information-based organisation, this group is central to the organisation's ability to respond promptly and effectively to the needs of residents, ratepayers and the community

Council actively promotes the principles of equal employment opportunity which are integrated into daily work practices. This local government has adopted a number of work practices and policies designed to ensure that Boroondara aims towards being an Employer of Choice.

There are a number of employee benefits and support services offered to Council employees:

STUDY ASSISTANCE

Council places a large emphasis on the importance of continual learning and development. All Council employees have the responsibility to actively participate in learning and development processes to ensure that they reach their full potential through the acquisition of broader job enriching skills and increased competencies.

Council's Study Assistance program assists employees to study at TAFE, university and similar education providers. The City of Boroondara recognises that to provide high standard local government services to the community, employees must be competent in their roles. The provision of study leave and proportional fee reimbursement aim to assist employees to develop and maintain the professional qualifications and competencies they require to perform their functions as effectively as possible.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

It is Council policy to have in place an effective performance management program to ensure that we have a well managed, professional organisation with high quality standards which delivers cost effective services to the community.

The performance management process consists of three phases:

• Objective Setting
• Performance Review
• Personal Learning and Development Plan

FITNESS ASSISTANCE PLAN

The Fitness Assistance Plan Policy offers eligible team members a 50% discount on standard term subscription rates at any of the leisure and recreational facilities within Boroondara.

COUNSELLING

Boroondara provides counselling services through an external consultant for any permanent team member experiencing difficulty in dealing with personal and/or work related problems that are impacting on their work performance. Such counselling sessions will normally be provided up to a maximum of three one hour sessions, however if this may be extended if necessary.

MENTOR PROGRAM

Council has developed a Mentor Program which is used as a powerful learning and development tool and is very relevant for a large, diverse organizations like ours. Mentor Programs are a sound and cost-effective way of spreading 'know-how', particularly in the areas of leadership / management development and strategic understanding.

Both Mentors (the more experienced partners in the relationship) and Mentees (the partners who wish to learn from a Mentor) learn a great deal from the relationship.

Both the mentees and the mentors gain a great deal from the program. Among other things, mentees learn about their mentor's leadership styles, how they work with their teams, how they communicate and how they have reached their current role. Sometimes mentees want to learn very specific skills, like how to run meetings better, how to negotiate in difficult situations or how to plan and complete projects.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SUPPORT PROGRAM

The objective of this program is to maintain a corporate health and well-being program that addresses the needs and influences the attitudes of staff concerning their health, well-being and work/life balance. The goal is to develop a healthy and sustainable workplace culture within Boroondara that will impact positively on staff well being and productivity.

PARENTAL SUPPORT

As an organization we have a responsibility to ensure that we assist those employees who have young children by providing childcare assistance support, where possible.

Council's Family Services Department began this program some time ago by contacting eastern region municipalities as well as Boroondara's own childcare facilities. A contact list of childcare facilities, and support services has since been developed.