Senior WHS Inspector
APS Level 6
Regional Operations QLD Team
Regulatory Operations Group
Non-ongoing vacancy – 12 months, Full-time
Brisbane
$78,366 to $86,959 plus 15.4% superannuation
Contact Officer
Julie Lowe, Assistant Director, Regional Operations QLD, (07) 3303 0019
Jason Briggs, Assistant Director, Regional Operations QLD, (07) 3303
0018
Closing date
Sunday, 19 April 2015 2013 at 11:00pm (Australian Eastern Standard
Time).
How to apply
1.
In one combined word document include:
a. your completed Application Cover Sheet (the last page of this
document)
b. your responses addressing the selection criteria
c. your resume outlining your work history, relevant qualifications
and training.
2.
Apply online - when applying you will be asked to upload your
combined application and enter your personal details.
Overview of the group
The Regulatory Operations Group is accountable for the delivery of regulatory services
to protect the health, safety and welfare at work of federal workers. This is achieved
through targeted education, assurance and enforcement with a focus on prevention as
the primary means of reducing human and financial costs of injury and disease.
Overview of the team
The Regional Operations QLD Team is the service delivery arm of the Regulatory
Operations Group and administers the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 through a
variety of prevention, assurance and enforcement activities including:
 workplace inspection
 education and awareness raising
 audit
 investigation.
Prevention is the primary focus through targeted education and audit programs. The
range of response and intervention following a safety incident includes investigation and
justice outcomes through enforcement activity.
Overview of the role
As a Senior WHS Inspector you will be required to deliver and assist to drive the
delivery of timely, high quality services in a regional service delivery environment. The
services include WHS related prevention, assurance, auditing, inspection and
investigations. You will prepare high standard written work including reports,
correspondence, briefings and submissions.
You will operate as a highly effective team member, assisting to mentor less
experienced inspectors. You will also work collaboratively with a wide range of
stakeholders including employers, community groups, member organisations, federal
and state government agencies.
All team members are required to comply with relevant legislation, policies and
procedures, including the APS Values and APS Code of Conduct and participate in the
after-hours on-call roster (where operational necessities dictate).
This position is located in the Brisbane central business district and will involve some
intra and interstate travel, including overnight absences.
Qualifications
Essential: Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection) (or undertakes to obtain
within 12 months of engagement).
Desirable: Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (WHS); WHS Lead Auditor, or
similar qualifications.
Specific requirements

Security Clearance (obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 security
clearance).

Participate in an after-hours on call roster including weekends and nights (after
expiry of an assessment period and where operational necessities dictate).

Hold and maintain a full motor vehicle driver licence for at least the classification of
motor car (class C).
Duty statement
1.
Lead and undertake workplace inspections across a diverse range of industries and
identify potential breach of Commonwealth WHS legislation.
2.
Lead and deliver presentations and provide advice to increase WHS awareness and
competencies amongst members of Comcare’s jurisdiction.
3.
Lead, conduct and undertake workplace WHS audits against recognised criteria.
4.
Monitor and verify action plans agreed to with employers.
5.
Undertake both civil and criminal WHS investigations as required using sound
investigative methodology.
6.
Prepare high-level written work including inspection reports, audit reports,
investigation reports, briefs of evidence, correspondence, briefings and
submissions.
7.
Communicate effectively (including public speaking) and maintain working
relationships, both across the organisation and with employers, private sector and
federal and state government agencies, specific to WHS.
8.
Represent Comcare at internal and external meetings and forums.
9.
Coaching and mentoring less experienced team members.
10. Assist to manage and coordinate a program, activity, and/or projects to achieve
organisational and operational goals.
11. Participate in an after-hours on-call roster including weekends and nights (after
expiry of an assessment period and where operational necessity dictates).
12. Participate in corporate learning and development activities.
13. Promote workplace safety, equity and diversity and environment practices in the
workplace.
14. Demonstrate and model safe attitudes, values and behaviours in order to uphold
your health and safety duties.
15. Commit to, promote and model the APS Values and APS Code of Conduct.
How to apply
The selection criteria describe the capabilities, skills and knowledge required to achieve
the outcomes of the role. Your statement of claims against the selection criteria is your
opportunity to demonstrate your competency and is the most important factor in
determining whether your application will be short-listed. Your claims against each
criterion should be no longer half a page (400 words).
It is recommended that you address each selection criterion and provide evidence of
your suitability. Give examples from your current or past role(s) which demonstrate
how you meet each criterion. The STAR approach is one way of presenting information
against selection criteria. For each criterion think about the following and use these
points to form sentences:
Situation:
Set the context by describing the circumstance whether you used the skills
or qualities and gained the experience.
Task:
What was your role?
Approach:
What did you do and how did you do it?
Result:
What did you achieve?
What was the end result and how does it relate to the job you are applying
for?
For more information on how to apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service please go
to: http://www.apsc.gov.au/publications-and-media/current-publications/cracking-thecode
The Selection Process
Comcare uses a competitive merit process. This process will likely take approximately
six weeks for short listing, interviewing, reference checking and offers to be made.
Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria are based on the Australian Public Service Commission’s
Integrated Leadership System (ILS).
1.
Technical Knowledge

2.
Job Specific



3.
Previous experience in a regulatory role or WHS in one or more of the
following industry sectors: government, construction, rail, manufacturing,
transport, storage and warehousing or public administration
Proven ability to lead and undertake workplace inspections and apply
investigation techniques to identify potential breaches of WHS legislation
Ability to lead and undertake WHS audits against a recognised criteria and
identify non-conformances
Proven ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders at a senior level
and to lead, drive and undertake prevention and awareness raising activities
Achieves results




Demonstrated ability to prioritise multiple tasks and cases
Proven ability to work autonomously and manage time effectively to meet
deadlines
Proven ability to mentor less experienced Regional Services team members
Ability to manage, coordinate and, where appropriate, lead a program,
activity, and/or project to achieve organisational and operational goals
4.
Supports productive working relationships


5.
Displays personal drive and integrity



6.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain internal and external
relationships, including; industry groups, unions, private sector, federal and
state government agencies
Proven ability to work flexibly and effectively as a member of a diverse and
multi-disciplinary team
Willingness to accept responsibility and accountability
Commitment to, and ability to model the behaviours required by the APS
Values and APS Code of Conduct
Commitment to continued personal learning and development
Communicates with influence



Demonstrated ability to communicate at a high standard, both verbally
(including public speaking) and in writing at a high standard
Proven ability to negotiate effectively and engage with a range of internal and
external stakeholders, including the ability to manage/resolve conflict through
negotiation and conciliation
Ability to represent Comcare with credibility and professionalism
What we offer
Comcare offers employees attractive employment conditions, including:
RecruitAbility Scheme
Comcare is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people
with disability. Our participation in the APS RecruitAbility scheme means you will be
progressed to further assessment if you declare you have a disability (according the
definition below), opt into the scheme, and meet the minimum requirements for the
position.
How do I opt into the RecruitAbility scheme?
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into the RecruitAbility scheme in the
Diversity section of the application form. You must answer “yes” to the question asking
if you would like to participate in the scheme. Simply declaring that you have a disability
will not automatically include you in the scheme.
To help improve the scheme, you will be asked to participate in a short online evaluation
at a later stage in the selection process. The evaluation activity is anonymous,
completely confidential and will not affect the selection process in any way.
Reasonable adjustments
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical
support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please ask us if you need any
adjustments made. recruitment@comcare.gov.au
Details about the RecruitAbility scheme can be found at the Australian Public Service
Commission’s website (http://www.apsc.gov.au/disability/recruitability ).
What do we mean by disability?
For the purposes of the scheme, ‘disability’ is:
A limitation, restriction or impairment, which has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least
six months and restricts everyday activities. This includes:
• loss of sight (not corrected by glasses or contact lenses)
• loss of hearing where communication is restricted, or, an aid to assist with or
substitute for hearing is used
• speech difficulties
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties causing restriction
• chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort causing restriction
• blackouts, fits, or loss of consciousness
• difficulty learning or understanding
• incomplete use of arms or fingers
• difficulty gripping or holding things
• incomplete use of feet or legs
• nervous or emotional condition causing restriction
• restriction in physical activities or in doing physical work
• disfigurement or deformity
• mental illness or condition requiring help or supervision
• long-term effects of head injury, stroke or other brain damage causing
restriction
• receiving treatment or medication for any other long-term conditions or
ailments and still restricted
• any other long-term conditions resulting in a restriction.
The two parts of the definition are the presence of a limitation, restriction or impairment
which restricts everyday activities; and the expected longevity of the condition (6
months or more). This also includes episodic conditions.
The definition covers many types of disability listed. You do not need evidence of your
disability to opt into the scheme, but you are making a declaration to the APS that you
meet the definition.
Application Cover Sheet
Non-ongoing APS6, Senior WHS Inspector, Regional Operations Queensland Team – Brisbane
Title
Birth Date (optional)
Surname
Given Name
Address
Preferred Name
Contact Number(s)
(M)
State
Postcode
(W)
(H)
Email Address
Current Employer
Position Title
Are you currently working in the Australian Public Service?
Substantive Level
Acting Level
AGS Number
Are you an Australian Citizen?
Have you received a redundancy benefit from an APS Agency or Parliament
Service? If yes, please advise of the redundancy benefit period expiry date
Have you ever been found to have breached the APS Code of Conduct?
If yes, please specify employer’s name.
Do you have a disability?
Do you require any special arrangements to be made for assessment e.g.
interview? If yes, a member of the selection panel will contact you for more
details
If you have a disability (according to the definition on the pages above), do you
wish to opt into the RecruitAbility scheme, and understand your application will
need to be assessed as having met minimum requirements for the position?
Please provide two current referees who have supervised and assessed your performance within the
workplace.
Name
Relationship
Email
Contact
Name
Relationship
Email
Contact