Dear Applicant

Parliamentary Executive Level 2—Director

Thank you for your interest in the position of Director, Politics and Public Administration Section.The attached information package may help you in preparing your application.

The information package includes:

(a)information about the department;

(b)a copy of the position’s duty statement 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, 10 August 2014.

For further information about this position, please contact:

Mr Jonathan Curtis (02) 6277 2470 –

Kind Regards

Recruitment Team

Department of Parliamentary Services

T: 02 6277 5200

W: DPS Employment page

Information pack—Director—PEL2

Who are we looking for?

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting a Director for the Politics and Public Administration Section of the Research Branch of the Parliamentary Library.The Parliamentary Library provides high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary and representational roles. Such advice is provided by responding to individual client requests, preparing briefs and publications and a range of self-help resources.

To provide these services, our staff must have well-developed research and analytical abilities, their communication and client-service skills must be of a high order, and they must be able to perform their duties with professionalism, sound judgment and common sense.

We currently have a vacancy for a Director to lead and manage the Politics and Public Administration Section,to respond to client enquires and to prepare publications.Relevant tertiary qualifications, a demonstrated ability to lead a team of professionals and an understanding of current Australian politics,public administration and of the parliamentary environment are essential.

Currently, the salary range for this position is $113,405 - $131,833.

How to apply

Applications, quoting the relevant reference number, should be sent:

(a)by email to oting “JO706” 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);

(d)claims against each selection criterion within 500 words per criterion; and

(e)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 (

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 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 -

The website also includes a brochure about DPS and our staff—

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.

Information pack PEL2, Director, Politics & Public Administration– JO706Page 1 of 8

Duty Statement

Classification: / Parliamentary Executive Level 2
Position No.: / PN 120308
Local Title: / Director
Branch: / Research
Section: / Politics and Public Administration
Immediate supervisor: / Assistant Secretary, Research Branch
Security assessment: / Police check required

The Parliamentary Librarian is required by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to among other things:

“… provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in support of their parliamentary and representational roles.”

The Act requires the Parliamentary Librarian to perform this function:

  • in a timely, impartial and confidential manner; and
  • maintaining the highest standards of scholarship and integrity; and
  • on the basis of equality of access for all Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, parliamentary committees and staff acting on behalf of Senators, Members or parliamentary committees; and
  • having regard to the independence of Parliament from the Executive Government of the Commonwealth.

Against this background, Directors undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for a Parliamentary Executive Level 2. The duties may include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following:

1Under broad direction, manage a research section, including responsibilities for financial and people management, including supervise, mentor and/or coach staff

2Formulate objectives and policies for the section, consistent with organisational and operational goals

3Determine work priorities and provide guidance to staff to achieve these

4Coordinate and be responsible for the conduct of complex projects

5Actively develop effective, collaborative and strategic working relationships across the organisation, with other organisations, with clients and other stakeholders

6Provide high level professional, specialist and technical information, analysis and advice to clients and internal stakeholders in relation to subject areas covered by the section, including by preparing responses to individual client requests and preparing publications in anticipation of areas of client demand.

Duties representing highest function: / Professional Functions / Service Delivery
Reviewed and approved by Assistant Secretary: / Jonathan Curtis
Date: / July 2014

Information pack PEL2, Director, Politics & Public Administration– JO706Page 1 of 8

Selection Criteria

Classification: / Parliamentary Executive Level 2
Position No.: / PN 120308
Local Title: / Director
  1. Ability to perform complex research and analysis
  • Conducts high-quality research and analysis, and provides advice on complex issues
  • Uses diverse information and database services
  • Works quickly while maintaining accuracy
  1. Cultivates productive working relationships
  • Leads a team of research professionals
  • Develops internal and external relationships to support work objectives
  • Facilitates cooperation and works collaboratively
  • Works constructively to resolve conflict
  • Values individual differences and diversity
  1. Personal and professional qualities
  • Manages competing priorities
  • Possesses a strong client service ethic
  • Demonstrates probity and accountability, initiative, resilience and good judgment
  • Prepared to develop new areas of expertise, and committed to professional development
  1. Communication skills
  • Negotiates persuasively
  • Communicates clearly and appropriately, including listening, understanding and adapting to audience
  • Has high-level writing skills and the ability to write research and analysis products in various formats and styles
  • Tailors responses according to client requirements
  1. Understanding of the parliamentary and political environment
  • Understands the context, role and operations of Parliament
  • Understands the role and function of key parliamentary bodies and processes
  • Deals sensitively, impartially and objectively with controversial issues
  1. Eligibility and/or job specific requirements
  • Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and specialistknowledge and understanding of the area of politics and public administration.

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 Assistant Secretary: / Jonathan Curtis
Date: / July 2014

This cover sheet must be included with your application

Job application cover sheet – Job Reference: JO706

Personal Details: Male Female
Surname: Given names:
Business hours contact number: / After hours contact number:
Email:
Address:
Postcode:
Are you an Australian citizen?
If No, have you applied for Australian Citizenship?
Date of application: / Yes
Yes / No
No
Have you accepted a Voluntary Redundancy from a Commonwealth funded agency within the last 36 weeks?
Yes No
If “Yes”, what date did your exclusion period end:
Date of voluntary redundancy: Name of agency:
Employment Details:Current employer:
If APS are you:Ongoing Non-ongoing
If APS employed as (level): / AGS Number:
Do you hold a security clearance? Yes NoIf 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:
Do you have any relatives or friends currently working in DPS? Yes No
If yes provide details:
(for the purpose of this question a friend is defined as someone with whom you socialise with outside of work 6 or more times a year)
Have you ever been found to have breached the APS code of conduct or similar terminated from employment for misconduct? Yes No
If Yes, Recruitment will contact you to discuss.
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. I acknowledge that it may be an offence to knowingly provide false information.
Name: / Date

Information pack PEL2, Director, Politics & Public Administration– JO706Page 1 of 8

[1] Clause 224 DPS Enterprise Agreement 2011