Rhys Williams

Building Technical Officer, New Plymouth District Council

"Even though I have been doing the same jobs for five years I am never bored.

Describe your job.

I work within the consents team and I am responsible for checking the drawings that make up the project information memorandums (PIMs) making sure they are compliant with the rules in the District Plan.

What’s your background?

I trained and worked as an architectural draftsman. I then held a variety of customer service jobs both here and overseas. I have turned my hand to everything from barman to ski technician to working as a safety man on the oil rigs.

What skills and qualifications do you need to have to do your job?

While there is no set qualification for this role I do have a New Zealand certificate in architectural drafting which certainly helps with looking at plans and being able to think of a project in three dimensions. You definitely need to be a spatial thinker and have good customer service skills for this sort of role. I am often required to interpret technical information for our customers and sometimes even my colleagues!

What opportunity is there for progression in your role?

In quiet times I work with neighbouring teams helping process resource and sub-division consents so there is a wide variety of work to get into. The natural step up would be a team leader role.

What do you like most about your job?

Every consent is different and the days fly. You have the challenging consents you can dig your teeth into then the straightforward ones you just sign off. Even though I have been doing the same jobs for five years I am never bored.

What do you like most about working in local government?

The size of the organisation facilitates groups like the social club which I enjoy being a part of and lots of sporting networks like the Hillary Challenge which I have been involved in.

Is there anything in particular you like about working for NPDC?

I like the opportunity I have to take up flexitime. I often start early to finish early so I can spend time with the family or fit in my sporting interests. If the surf’s up I can take an extended lunchtime and make up the time later. It works well for me. My manager always knows where I am and I make sure the customer still gets the same service.

I like the trust that supports my flexitime arrangement and the self responsibility I have for managing my own workload.