Dear Applicant
Parliamentary Service Level 2 (PSL2)—Sessional and Casual Visitor Services Officer roles (non-ongoing)
Thank you for your interest in the positions of Sessional and Casual Visitor Services Officers (PSL2). The attached information package may help you in preparing your application.
Please indicate your preference for casual or sessional. One application will suffice for both positions if you are interested in being considered for both opportunities.
The information package includes:
(a) information about the department;
(b) a copy of the position duty statements and selection criteria; and
(c) an application cover sheet, which must be completed and attached to your application.
Details of how to apply for this position are outlined within this information pack. Please note that applications must be submitted by midnight, Sunday 27 April 2014.
For further information about this position, please contact:
Tristan Hoffmeister on 6277 8109 – or
Steve Konig on 6277 5217 – .
Yours faithfully
Recruitment Team
Department of Parliamentary Services
T: 02 6277 5200
W: DPS Employment page
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Applicant Information Pack – Sessional/Casual VSOs March 2014 (JO678)
Information pack—Sessional and Casual Visitor Services Officers – (PSL2)
Who are we looking for?
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting both non-ongoing Sessional and Casual Visitor Services Officers to work within the Visitor Services team at Australian Parliament House. The period of employment for these positions will be for up to 12 months.
To fill these roles, we are looking for people with exceptional presentation skills and a focus on excellent customer service. You will also enjoy working in the public environment with diverse audiences.
Sessional Visitor Services Officers are required to work set shifts of 4 hours 15 minutes on a regular roster over three different periods throughout the year; low, medium and high:
Low runs through January, February and December with a requirement to work two days a week; medium runs from March to July with a requirement to work four days a week; and high runs from August to November with a requirement to work five days a week.
The shifts are not limited to the three periods; additional shifts including weekends may be required. Paid training will start on commencement.
Casual Visitor Services Officers are required to work to meet varying demand. There is no set roster or guarantee of hours.
Currently, the salary range for these positions is $56,404–$60,552 pro rata per annum (Casual Employees are paid an additional loading).
How to apply
Applications, quoting the relevant reference number, should be sent:
(a) by email to quoting JO678 in the subject line.
Your application must:
(a) include a completed DPS job application cover sheet;
(b) your current resume (must include 2 current referees one being current manager);
(c) claims against each selection criterion within 500 words per criterion; and
(d) be submitted by the closing date.
Our selection process
(a) All ongoing DPS jobs are filled on merit. This means we assess the suitability of applicants to undertake the duties of the job using a competitive selection process.
(b) If you are selected for interview, you will be asked to elaborate at interview about how your experience and skills qualify you for the position.
(c) Referees reports will be sought to further assess suitability of interviewed candidates.
General advice for developing your application
If you are unfamiliar with addressing selection criteria, the Australian Public Service Commission’s fact sheet on applying for jobs will be useful:
Cracking the code fact sheet 5
Some of DPS’s selection criteria are generic and are based on the Australian Public Service Commission’s Integrated Leadership System (ILS). Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how they would apply these skills to the requirements of the job as described. The Australian Public Service Commission’s ILS Leadership Pathway identifies and describes leadership capabilities at all classification levels (http://www.apsc.gov.au/learn/integrated-leadership-system).
Some background to the department
DPS is one of four departments based in Parliament House to support the work of the Federal Parliament.
DPS is the principal support agency for the operations of Parliament House—a building where more than 3,500 people work on sitting days and which nearly one million people visit each year.
To fulfil the DPS mission of “serving the Australian people by supporting the Parliament and caring for Parliament House”, DPS has approximately 800 staff with a huge diversity of skills. DPS has an annual operations budget of around $150 million to deliver a wide variety of services, including building maintenance, security, ICT, Hansard, broadcasting, and library and research services to the Parliament, parliamentary committees, Members and Senators and their staff and other building occupants.
The Presiding Officers (the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives) are jointly responsible for the department. The Secretary of DPS is responsible to the Presiding Officers for the department’s efficient operation.
Information about DPS such as its annual report and strategic plan can be found on -http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Department_of_Parliamentary_Services/Publications.
The website also includes a brochure about DPS and our staff— http://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/dps/wearedps-brochure.pdf.
The Visitor Services team sits within the Visitor Experience section, and is responsible for presenting interpretation, delivery of special events and assisting all visitors to Parliament House. In 2013 the Visitor Experience team conducted 1,755 public tours for 65,896 members of the public and 3,084 tours for 123,449 school children.
General advice to applicants
Employment opportunities in the Parliamentary Service are open to all Australian citizens and may be subject to a range of conditions including:
(a) a requirement for a probationary period;
(b) security and character clearances;
(c) working with children check; and
(d) a health clearance.
If you are not an Australian citizen, and have already applied for citizenship you may still be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to termination of engagement.
If you have accepted a redundancy benefit from a Commonwealth employer (including the Parliamentary Service and the Australian Public Service), you cannot be employed by DPS until your exclusion period (the number of weeks for which you received a redundancy benefit) has expired. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact Recruitment on telephone (02) 6277 5200.
The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 provides for mobility between the Australian Public Service and the Parliamentary Service.
Conditions of employment and salary
Conditions of employment and rates of pay for non-SES DPS staff are specified in:
(a) the Department of Parliamentary Services Enterprise Agreement 2011;
(b) the Parliamentary Service Act 1999;
(c) Parliamentary Service Determinations; and
Note: Persons commencing with DPS will generally be paid at the bottom of the salary range for the relevant classification.[1]
Superannuation
Employees may be required to make superannuation contributions under the Superannuation Act 1976, the Superannuation Act 1990, or the Superannuation Act 2005, whichever is applicable. In addition DPS will pay an employer contribution rate as determined by the relevant fund.
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Applicant Information Pack – Sessional/Casual VSOs March 2014 (JO678)
Duty Statement
Classification: / Parliamentary Service Level 2 (non-ongoing)Position No.: / Various
Local Title: / Sessional Visitor Services Officer (non-ongoing)
Branch: / Parliamentary Experience Branch
Section: / Visitor Services Area
Immediate supervisor: / Parliamentary Service Level 4, Visitor Services Team Leader
Security assessment: / Police Check Required
The Sessional Visitor Services Officer is required to work a roster that will vary to respond to changing demand throughout the year.
Under broad direction, undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for Parliamentary Service Level 2. The duties may include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following:
1 Lead visitor groups on walking tours and provide information and presentations in a variety of static locations throughout the building.
2 Provide relevant information to:
(a) Australian and international tourists;
(b) guests of the Parliament;
(c) government departments and the diplomatic community;
(d) students from primary to tertiary level;
(e) parliamentary departments; and
(f) special needs groups.
3 Perform administration duties as required; and
4 Perform promotional and public relations duties.
Duties representing highest function: / 1 and 2Reviewed and approved by Assistant Secretary: / Freda Hanley
Date: / March 2014
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Applicant Information Pack – Sessional/Casual VSOs March 2014 (JO678)
Selection Criteria
Classification: / Parliamentary Service Level 2 (non-ongoing)Position No.: / Various
Local Title: / Sessional Visitor Services Officer (non-ongoing)
1 Ability to effectively lead tour groups on walking tours throughout the building and in a variety of static locations.
2 Excellent English, public speaking, interpretation, and presentation skills.
3 Demonstrated commitment to high quality customer service for visitors and guests of Parliament House.
4 Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the history and procedures of the Australian Federal Parliament; the design features of Parliament House; and tourism products and attractions within the Canberra region.
5 Ability to utilise a variety of computer applications including Microsoft Office products.
6 Ability to work Monday to Friday as required, including some weekends and public holidays.
7 Eligibility and/or job specific requirements: Ability to successfully complete a Physical Competency Assessment (PCA) prior to any offer of employment and obtain a Working With Vulnerable People check through the ACT government.
Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.
Reviewed and approved by Deputy Secretary: / Freda HaneyDate: / March 2013
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PEL1-2 Applicant Information Pack
Duty Statement
Classification: / Parliamentary Service Level 2Position No.: / Several Vacancies
Local Title: / Casual Visitor Services Officer
Branch: / Parliamentary Experience Branch
Section: / Visitor Services Area
Immediate supervisor: / Parliamentary Service Level 4, Visitor Services Team Leader
Security assessment: / Police Check Required
The Casual Visitor Services Officer is required to work to meet varying demand. There is no set roster or guarantee of hours.
Under broad direction, undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for Parliamentary Service Level 2 while working on a casual basis when required. The duties may include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following:
1 Lead visitor groups on walking tours and provide information and presentations in a variety of static locations throughout the building.
2 Provide relevant information to:
(a) Australian and international tourists;
(b) guests of the Parliament;
(c) government departments and the diplomatic community;
(d) students from primary to tertiary level;
(e) parliamentary departments; and
(f) special needs groups.
3 Perform administration duties as required; and
4 Perform promotional and public relations duties.
Duties representing highest function: / 1 and 2Reviewed and approved by Assistant Secretary: / Freda Hanley
Date: / March 2014
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PEL1-2 Applicant Information Pack
Selection Criteria
Classification: / Parliamentary Service Level 2 (non-ongoing)Position No.: / Various
Local Title: / Casual Visitor Services Officer (non-ongoing)
1 Ability to effectively lead tour groups on walking tours throughout the building and in a variety of static locations.
2 Excellent English, public speaking, interpretation, and presentation skills.
3 Demonstrated commitment to high quality customer service for visitors and guests of Parliament House.
4 Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the history and procedures of the Australian Federal Parliament; the design features of Parliament House; and tourism products and attractions within the Canberra region.
5 Ability and willingness to utilise a variety of computer applications including Microsoft Office products.
6 Ability and willingness to work when required over a 7 day roster, including weekend work and public holidays.
7 Eligibility and/or job specific requirements: Ability to successfully complete a Physical Competency Assessment (PCA) prior to any offer of employment and obtain a Working With Vulnerable People check through the ACT government.
Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.
Reviewed and approved by Deputy Secretary: / Freda HaneyDate: / March 2013
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PEL1-2 Applicant Information Pack
Job application cover sheet – Job Reference: JO678
Personal Details: Male FemaleSurname: Given names:
Date of birth: (optional) / Business hours contact number:
Email: / After hours contact number:
Address:
Postcode:
Are you an Australian citizen?
If No, have you applied for Australian Citizenship?
Date of application: / Yes
Yes / No
No
Note: If you are not an Australian citizen you may be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time.
Have you accepted a Voluntary Redundancy from a Commonwealth-
funded agency within the last 36 weeks? Yes No
If “Yes”, number of weeks for which you received a redundancy benefit:
Date of voluntary redundancy:
Name of agency:
Employment Details: Current employer:
If APS: Ongoing Non-ongoing
Employed as (level): / AGS Number:
Do you hold a security clearance? Yes No If yes, which level do you hold?
Baseline (Protected/Restricted) Negative Vetting (Secret/Highly Protected/Confidential)
Negative Vetting 2 (Top Secret) Positive Vetting
Referees: Please provide contact details of two referees to support your claims for this position.
Note: Your nominated referees should be a current and/or recent supervisor/manager.
1. / 2.
Relationship: / Relationship:
Ph: / Ph:
Do you wish to identify as: / an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
a person from a different ethnic or racial background
a person with a disability
If selected for interview, will you require any special requirements/arrangements to be made? / Yes / No
If yes please advise:
I confirm that the information I have provided above and the details in my attached application are, to the best of my knowledge, true and correct.
Name: / Date
Please complete this cover sheet and include it with your application
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PEL1-2 Applicant Information Pack
[1] Clause 224 DPS Enterprise Agreement 2011