Application Guide
Thank you for your interest in applying for a position with Cessnock City Council. Cessnock City Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and applies ‘Merit Based Selection Techniques’ to ensure that the best person for the position is selected. Please read this information carefully as it will help you to understand Cessnock City Council's selection process and how to prepare your application.
Council will treat your application and the information you have provided in the strictest confidence with only those staff involved in the recruitment process accessing the application information.
POSITION DESCRIPTION & SELECTION CRITERIA
A position description for the vacancy is attached in the position package. The position description details the primary purpose of the position and its key accountabilities. Developed from the position requirements is selection criteria based on essential and desirable criteria. The selection criteria details the key qualifications, training, experience, skills, abilities and knowledge required to successfully undertake the position.
Merit Based Selection principles mean council can only progress the applicants who meet all essential criteria to the required level. This means that although you provide an appropriate response to majority of the criteria, if you do not meet one of the essential criteria to the required level, council will be unable to progress your application. Where a recruitment is highly competitive, Council may also require an applicant to meet all highly desirable criteria to the expected level.
APPLICATIONS
It is important that you provide sufficient detail to enable the panel to assess your initial suitability against the criteria and relative to other applicants. Write your application so that the panel can understand how your qualifications, training, experience, skills, abilities and knowledge relate to the selection criteria.
Your application should include;
1. Cessnock City Council Application Form (Required)
Please ensure you complete all the information required on the form, including a contact phone number which is best for you to be contacted through the day as applicants shortlisted for interview are contacted by phone.
Council requires at least two recent referees who can comment on your work performance and work history.Your referees must be people who have supervised your work.In submitting this application you are providing authority for Council to contact your referees.In cases where you do not want your current employer to be aware of your application and cannot provide a current supervisors name, please make a note of this on your application form.In certain circumstances Council may require a current supervisor as a referee, however, contact will be made with you if this is required.
2. Resume (Required)
Your resume should include a summary of your employment history, detailing where you have worked, the positions held, period of employment and brief details about the duties performed.
Your resume should also include a summary of your education, training, qualifications and certificates relevant to the position.
3. Selection Criteria response (Required)
It is essential that you address the selection criteria for the position you are applying for. You can use Council’s Section Criteria Response Form to address the selection criteria or you may elect to draft you own document that addresses each criteria.
You should address each of the essential and highly desirable criteria listed in the position description in a concise manner and ensure that you provide adequate information to demonstrate how you meet the criteria. When providing your response to the selection criteria ensure that you provide a statement to demonstrate how you meet the criterion and also provide example/s of your experience and/or skills.
Please provide copies only of the qualifications you have mentioned in your application. Council will require to sight, and in some cases, copy the originals of certificates or academic transcripts if applicants progress to the later stages of the recruitment process.
4. Covering Letter (optional)
You may provide a covering letter to briefly introduce yourself. Details may include a brief overview of your work history and the reason that our position is attractive to you.
You are welcome to submit any other relevant information that is not covered in your application and to include copies of training certificates, qualifications etc. to support your application. Please ensure you do not send originals of certificates and qualifications as Council will retain all information submitted as part of your application.
How to submit your application
You can submit your application electronically to . Please ensure that you include the Position Name and Vacancy Number in the subject line.
Alternatively you may post you application to;
General Manager
Cessnock City Council
P O Box 152
CESSNOCK 2325
Please ensure that your application is marked “Job Application – Private and Confidential”.
SELECTION PROCESS
Council engages a recruitment panel consisting of 2-4 people to undertake the recruitment process. The panel will generally include the positions supervisor and a member of the Human Resources team, as a minimum. It is the panel’s responsibility to assess each applicant’s submission to determine the successful candidate.
The most meritorious applicants will be contacted and invited to attend an interview and/or skills assessment, usually within four weeks of the advertised closing date.Applicants are asked a series of structured questions which focus on the requirements of the position.The interview questions usually require applicants to provide specific examples of how they can demonstrate particular criteria in the work setting and may include situational or scenario based questions.
Shortlisted candidates may then be requested to undertake a pre-employment medical. Council will also conduct required checks and verify eligibility to work.
The preferred candidate will be offered employment with Cessnock City Council. All applicants who are unsuccessful will be notified of the outcome once the appointment has been finalised. Cessnock City Council encourages applicants to seek feedback on their application and interviews.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further assistance please contact Council’s Human Resource Section on (02) 4993 4230.
Position Description
Position Details
Position Title: / Waste Service OperatorPosition Number: / 5306
Group: / Works and Infrastructure / Unit: / Environment & Waste
Salary Grade: / Standard Position Hours: / 38 Hours
Position Reports to: / Waste Services Coordinator
Staff Management:
Budget Responsibility:
Date Created: / February 2011 / Date Last Reviewed: / 16 December 2014
Version: / 2
Document Number: / DOC2014/056690
Organisational Environment
Cessnock City Council employs approximately 280 employees and is responsible for a local government area of approximately 1,950 square kilometres within the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, approximately 120 kilometres north of Sydney and 40 kilometres west of Newcastle.Cessnock City Council provides a diverse range of services and facilities for the residents and visitors of the local government area. Cessnock City Council comprises of 3 Directorates;
· Works and Infrastructure
· Planning and Environment
· Corporate and Community Services
Organisational Context of Position
The Works and Infrastructure Directorate is responsible for the planning, design, delivery, operations and maintenance of all Council public infrastructure.The Environment and Waste Services unit is responsible for managing waste & community environmental management activities and developing and implementing environmental initiatives and strategies.
The position forms part of the Environment & Waste Services Unit.
Workplace Health & Safety
The Responsibilities, Authorities and Accountabilities (RAA’s) applicable to this position is Level 6For specific WHS Responsibilities, Authorities and Accountabilities applicable to this position, refer to the WSH RAA Handbook.
The person accepting this position is required to read and comply with the RAA’s applicable to this position.
Primary Objective
The position will be required to perform in all areas of the waste service to ensure the effective and efficientdelivery of all waste service activities.Key Accountabilities
1. / Operation of Single Operator side load waste collection vehicles used to provide Council’s waste collection service.2. / Maintenance, delivery & repair of mobile garbage bins.
3. / Operation of waste handling, compaction and covering plant to achieve the following outcomes:
· Collect and transport refuse within the site.
· Compact rubbish in accordance with best practise plant operation.
· Maintain safe working distance from customers depositing waste (min 50m).
· Ensure waste at the active face is adequately covered at the end of each day using either approved cover material or tarp-o-matic.
· Spread cover material at the site in accordance with prescribed operations.
· Ensure a level, hardstand area is provided at the end of each day in readiness for the following days delivery by collection vehicles.
· Maintain cleanliness within the site & plant and clear away debris.
· Control traffic by placement of signs, lights and barriers.
4. / Assist and advise the public in the disposal of waste at the tip face.
5. / Process waste transactions as required during the operating hours of the Waste Depot
6. / Ensure that the weighbridge building and surrounding public areas are kept in a clean and tidy condition.
7. / Provide assistance to the Waste Services Coordinator in the following areas:
· Prepare and plan for earthworks including work set out and coordination of materials.
· Supervise a small team to complete set tasks.
· Assist in measuring the work output of the team.
· Monitor worksite OH&S issues and take corrective action as required.
· Assume responsibilities (as directed) of site supervisor or Team Leader as required during Waste Services Coordinator or Team Leader absences.
8. / Ensure that best practice work methods are adopted.
9. / Respond to emergency events/situations on a roster basis if required.
10. / Promote a climate of trust, respect, Council loyalty and teamwork within the Waste team
11. / Any other accountabilities or duties as directed by Supervisor/Manager which are within the employee’s skill, competence and training.
Position Selection Criteria
Essential
1. / Current HR Drivers licence.2. / Current WorkCover Front End Loader Licence (LL) or statement of attainment or other nationally recognised qualification, or an industry competency card for the operation of a Front End Loader.
3. / Current Work Safely in the Construction Industry Certificate (formerly green card).
4. / Demonstrated ability to deliver a high level of customer service.
5. / Demonstrated experience in cash handling and receipting including an understanding of security procedures in relation to money collection.
6. / Demonstrated computer literacy skills, including experience in the use of Microsoft Office and other software/databases programs relevant to the position.
7. / Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised and to plan and coordinate work with minimal supervision.
8. / Demonstrated proficiency in basic literacy, numeracy, written and oral communications.
9. / Knowledge and understanding of Workplace Health and Safety and Equal Employment Opportunity principles.
10. / Willingness to work in a team environment in a cooperative manner and to actively participate in “on the job” training.
Highly Desirable
1. / Demonstrated understanding of Council’s Work Health and Safety requirements relating to the Waste Depot.2. / Previous experience with weighbridge operations, Waste Disposal site operations and operating Waste Collection Vehicles, Traxcavator/Loader, Compactor and Tarpomatic..
3. / Demonstrated understanding of waste management practices including land fill operation, recycling and resource recovery.
4. / Demonstrated ability to recognise and appropriately handle dangerous goods.
Job Application Form
Vacancy InformationPosition Name: / Waste Service Operator / Vacancy Number: / 2015/05
Personal Details
Title: / ☐ Mr ☐ Mrs ☐ Miss ☐ Ms ☐ Dr ☐ Other: Please Specify ______Surname: / First Name:
Address
Street Address:
Suburb: / Postcode:
Contact Details
Home Phone: / Mobile Phone:
Email Address:
Other Information
Have you previously worked for Cessnock City Council? / ☐ Yes ☐ No If Yes: please provide details of your cessation date
Are you legally entitled to work in Australia? / ☐ Yes ☐ No Please Note: Proof of eligibility may be requested
Do you hold Australian Permanent Residency? / ☐ Yes ☐ No If No: please provide details of you visa status
Do you hold a valid Driver’s Licence? / ☐ Yes ☐ No If Yes: please provide information below
Licence Class: / Licence Number:
Referees
Please provide details of at least two referees who may be contacted to verify your work history.
Referee checks may be conducted at any point throughout the recruitment process so please ensure your Referees are aware of your application.
If you are unable to provide current employment referees upon submission of this application, Council may seek these details from you, if required.
Employer Name
/Contact Person
/Position Held / Relationship to Applicant
/Phone Number
/Email Address
CURRENT EMPLOYEES ONLYPlease complete this section if you are currently employed by Cessnock City Council.
Current Employment Type: / ☐ Permanent ☐ Temporary ☐ Casual
Current Position:
For eligible outdoor employees and positions, do you wish to retain your 43 hour week? / ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Not applicable
Applicant declaration
☐
/ I acknowledge that the information provided in this application, to the best of my knowledge, is true and accurate.☐
/ I understand that I am required to produce original qualifications or transcripts, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and all licenses required for the position. Verification of these documents maybe undertaken by Council.☐
/ I understand that Council’s recruitment is based on individual merit. The information provided in my application will be used throughout the recruitment process for this particular position and may be disclosed to other panel members involved in recruitment process or Council officers as required.☐
/ I understand that in order to progress through the recruitment process I must address and meet all essential criteria to the designated level and have attached the following informationð Resume
ð Selection Criteria Response Form OR Statement Addressing the Selection Criteria
☐
/ I understand that if my application is successful and I commence employment with Cessnock City Council, I will be bound by and required to observe all policies and procedures as specified and stipulated by Council.☐
/ I understand that I must not release confidential information related to this recruitment process to any person not involved in the process.☐