Parliamentary Officer, APS Level 6, Ministerial & Executive Enabling

About the department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (the department) plays a key role in the Australian Government’s agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia’s existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID‑19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government’s economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.

About the team

The Ministerial and Executive Enabling Branch provides a range of support and assistance to the Executive and our Ministers. This includes the planning and reporting framework required under relevant legislation, parliamentary and Cabinet support, governance support, internal audit, enterprise risk management and fraud and corruption control. It is at the heart of the department and enables Ministers, the Executive and broader department to achieve outcomes.

The Parliamentary Services Team sits within this branch and provides advice, support and liaison between the department, portfolio agencies and our Ministers’ offices.

The team provides a variety of services and is responsible for managing the department’s many day-to-day parliamentary and co-ordination operations.

The team’s tasks include but are not limited to:

• facilitating the workflow of ministerial correspondence
• administering portfolio co-ordination requests
• coordinating the portfolio’s attendance at Senate Estimates
• providing administration and other support for the Parliamentary Document Management System (PDMS)
• managing other related functions including Question Time Briefs (QTB), parliamentary inquiries and questions on notice.

What’s in it for you?

You will work with senior stakeholders within the department as well as with an efficient, motivated and people-oriented team involved in impactful branch and division-wide coordination and delivery. Successful candidates will develop an in-depth understanding of processes, good quality briefing and managing relationships with key stakeholders at senior levels.

You will work closely with Departmental Liaison Officers and counterparts across other parts of the Australian Public Service.

The department offers:

• An agile, respectful, dynamic, and inclusive workplace.
• Attractive remuneration package including generous employer superannuation contributions.
• Exciting and fulfilling work at the heart of government, contributing to improving the lives of all Australians, with career development and networking opportunities.
• The opportunity to work with strong, smart, and experienced leaders who encourage and support you to develop your interests and expertise, and achieve your ambitions.

We embrace flexible working practices including working from home and offices to enable flexible working approaches through spaces designed to accommodate a range of working styles. This type of working supports increased communication and collaboration, and encourages agility and innovation.

Our ideal candidate

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to join our team and maximise an excellent opportunity to develop your understanding of how the department, and our services, support the Australian Government through these processes to achieve positive outcomes for the Australian people.

We’re keen to hear from you if you have:

• excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work.
• strong self-motivation with responsiveness to urgent and important matters.
• a pro-active and solutions-based approach to your work.
• fine attention to detail.
• a commitment to high standards of service delivery.
• excellent communication skills (both written and oral).
• the ability to work in a team environment as well as autonomously.
• the ability to exercise sound judgement and be able to identify matters that you can solve personally, and those which require further action or escalation.
• a passion for continuously improving processes and expanding the team’s knowledge.

Experience in the following is desirable but not required:

• using a document management system such as ‘Digital First’, CabNet+ and/or PDMS
• a working knowledge of ministerial and parliamentary systems and processes, or an appetite to develop these skills quickly

Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way.

What you will do

Primary duties for the APS 6 position would include, but not be limited to:

• preparations and related logistics for Senate Estimates hearings
• working with a variety of stakeholders on parliamentary committee-related matters including Inquiries and Government responses
• facilitating parliamentary, inquiry and other questions on notice through the PDMS program
• other duties as required.

The successful APS 6 would also be expected to:

• build positive relationships and managing stakeholder engagement, which includes providing assistance across the portfolio on procedures and requirements
• provide guidance and mentoring to junior team members
• support the Assistant Manager (EL1) and Manager (EL2) on other required tasks associated with the responsibilities of these teams including team planning, as well as managing staff and resources effectively to achieve required outcomes.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Canberra based, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

How to apply

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV/resume and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide an application, up to 1000 words or a maximum length of two (2) pages, explaining why you want this job and how your skills, knowledge and experience relate or can transfer to the role.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV/resume with your application. (CVs/resumes must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact [email protected] or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Tips for your application, CV/resume and assessment process

Your application is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job. We want to know why you want to work with us, why you are interested in the role, what you can bring to the team, and how your skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications are applicable.

Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your CV/resume but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

Your application will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate that you possess, or have the real potential to develop, the required skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to perform the role. These requirements are based on the information provided to you as part of the job advertisement.

The quality of your CV/resume creates the vital first impression we have of you. As a minimum, you should ensure that you include the following elements:

• Personal Details – your name, contact email address and phone numbers.
• Education – provide details of any education and qualifications that relate to the job.
• Work Experience – include recent/relevant work experience and outline the main responsibilities and achievements relevant to the job. Organise your employment history in chronological order, starting with the most recent, and indicate actual dates of employment. Where appropriate, please explain any gaps in time.
• Other Experience – if relevant, briefly mention any extra-curricular activities, interests or volunteer/community work in which participate in and highlight what you gained from that experience.
• Referees – include the name and contact details of two professional referees who can validate and support your application.
• Layout – The standard resume length is between two to three pages. Use an easy-to-read font and a simple, consistent format.

If your application is shortlisted, it is expected that you’ll be invited to a short interview (approximately 20 minutes) and be asked questions relevant to the role.

Your referees may also be contacted at any stage of the assessment process to validate your claims in your application and at interview.

Following assessment and interview, all selection decisions will be based on merit, ensuring the assessment process is fair and consistent, based on job specific requirements.

If you are selected as the successful candidate and choose to accept the position, you will be contacted to discuss matters like commencing date and salary, as well as asked to complete any relevant new starter paperwork.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Daniel Collet on 02 6213 7926 or at [email protected]