APS 5 Corporate: Accounting and Finance,
Administration, Legal and Parliamentary &
People Job Families
Position Title
Departmental Officer
Classification
APS Level 5
Vacancy Type
Ongoing/Non-ongoing
Job Family
Accounting and Finance, Administration, Legal and Parliamentary
& People
No of Vacancies
Several
Identified or Special
Measures Position
N/A
Groups
Finance & Services, Legal Services, Corporate Support,
Deregulation and Property, National Delivery, Delivery, Strategy &
Performance
Location
Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth – refer role
descriptions.
Security Requirements
TBA
Information about the Department of Social Services
DSS is the leading Australian Government agency in developing and delivering social
policy and we are committed to improving the lifetime wellbeing of people and families in
Australia. Almost everyone in Australia is, at some point in their life, touched by what we
do.
As one of the largest Australian Government departments, DSS manages approximately
one-quarter of the Commonwealth Budget and is responsible for administering payments
and programmes totalling almost $120 billion per year across a wide range of subject
areas.
Our policies and services look after families, children and older people; support people to
participate economically and socially in Australian society; enhance the independence
and wellbeing of people with high needs; provide a safety net for people who can't fully
support themselves, foster a cohesive community; and promote civil society.
We are looking for motivated, skilled and capable APS 5 officers who want to make a
difference and contribute to the work of our already diverse Department.
The Department is committed to supporting the employment and career development of
people with disability. Applicants who opt in to the APS RecruitAbility scheme and meet
the minimum requirements for the vacancy will progress to a further stage in the
recruitment process.
We recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the
unique knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring to our workplace,
policy development and service delivery. We welcome and encourage applications from
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander peoples for vacancies in the Department.
Ministerial, Parliamentary and Executive Support – Canberra Only
Contact Officer – Steve Hicks 02 6146 4275
Description of the role
These roles liaise and provide support to the Department, Minister and Executive on
Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary matters.
Desirable
Detailed understanding of the portfolio and its functions, departmental policies, Cabinet
processes, procedures and systems e.g. MaPS.NET, Secure Enclave, CABnet and
Microsoft Excel.
Assessment Criteria
Criterion 1
Demonstrated experience with preparing and collating a variety of Ministerial
correspondence, briefs, papers, memoranda and reports for Parliamentary, Cabinet,
Question Time and Senate Estimates.
Criterion 2
Well-developed understanding of Parliamentary and Cabinet processes, include business as
usual process and current practices and quality assurance of documentation prior to
submission.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Corporate Support – Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth
Contact Officers:
Adelaide – Linley Shine 08 7628 3518
Canberra – Sally McGarn 02 6146 3434
Hobart – Helen Kessler 03 6283 5818
Melbourne – Michelle Paschkow 03 9623 8093
Perth – Jo Georgiou 08 6218 1416
Description of the roles
These roles provide high level administrative support and excellent organisational skills to
ensure the operations of the area are managed effectively and within required
timeframes, this may include support to the:
 SES Manager;
 Team, section or branch; and
 Secretariat of the Group or Department
Desirable
Detailed understanding of the Department's policies and frameworks, relevant business
management processes and the assistance provided by internal and external
stakeholders relating to business management.
Assessment Criteria
Criterion 1
Demonstrated well-developed organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to
prioritise effectively, exercise judgement and use initiative to ensure timely outcomes and
excellent administrative skills, including computer skills, experience organising travel,
purchasing and managing correspondence.
Criterion 2
Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to
prepare written material and interact positively with a wide range of stakeholders while
applying sound judgement and decision making skills, as well as the ability to manage
change, remain positive and respond to pressure in a calm manner.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Deregulation and Property – Canberra Only
Contact Officer: Jane Spaleta - 02 6146 0137
Description of the roles
These roles provide high level administrative support and excellent organisational skills to
ensure the operations of the area are managed effectively and within required
timeframes, this may include support to the:
 SES Manager;
 Team, section or branch; and
 Secretariat of the Group or Department
Desirable
Detailed understanding of the Department's policies and frameworks, relevant business
management processes and the assistance provided by internal and external
stakeholders relating to business management.
Assessment Criteria
Criterion 1
Well-developed skills and experience in applying project management principles to plan,
organise, motivate and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
or project outcomes within a given time period.
Criterion 2
Proven ability to contribute to scoping exercises and provide input into the scheduling of
activities and ability to draft briefing papers for project or executive governance committees
relating to specific project progress.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
People – Canberra Only
Description of the roles
These roles deliver high quality human resources (HR) services and advice to current and
future Departmental employees, and maintain the integrity of HR systems data.
Desirable
Detailed understanding of departmental goals, policies and procedures related to HR,
employee entitlements and the APS Code of Conduct and Values and relevant functions
of SAP HR and HR systems.
Detailed understanding of the relevant sections of the following legislation relating to HR:
 Public Service Act 1999
 Fair Work Act 2009
 Maternity Leave Act 1973 and
 Long Service Leave Act 1976
Assessment Criteria
Pay and Conditions - Canberra Only
Contact Officer: Desley Oliver – 02 6146 3432
Criterion 1
Experience in administering complex pay and conditions in line with APS HR policy and
legislation.
Criterion 2
Demonstrated understanding of the SAP HR or similar Human Resources Information
System.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Recruitment and SES Unit - Canberra Only
Contact Officer: Sally McGarn – 02 6146 3434
Criterion 1
Proven skills and experience in processing requests that relate to the department’s
conditions of service and entitlements including managing the allocation of requests and
resolving escalated enquiries.
Criterion 2
Demonstrated ability in the management of personnel and departmental records and to
process daily enquires.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Learning, Development, Performance and Diversity - Canberra Only
Contact Officer: Andy Paras – 02 6146 5285
Criterion 1
Proven skills and experience in, or the ability to quickly acquire the:
 design and development of targeted learning solutions;
 ability to undertake logistical and administrative processes required to plan, maintain,
deliver and coordinate a variety of learning and development solutions; and
 design, development and administration of effective Performance Management
schemes within the overall APS context.
Criterion 2
A demonstrated understanding of, or the ability to quickly acquire, one or more of the
following:
 Issues affecting people from diverse backgrounds, in particular, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander staff, staff with disability and staff who identify as Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex (LGBTI); and
 The implementation and administration of effective entry level programmes (including
Graduate and Trainee schemes) within the overall APS context and particularly in DSS.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Work Health and Safety - Canberra Only
Contact Officer: Bernadette Shanks – 02 6146 5286
Criterion 1
Proven ability to design, coordinate, manage and evaluate injury management strategies.
Evaluate, audit incident investigation procedures and issues, to ensure workplace health
and safety meet business and legislative requirements. Ability to acquire skills in
managing varying stakeholders and professional relationships including medical
practitioners, Comcare and rehabilitation providers.
Criterion 2
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the SRC Act, Public Service Act, WHS Act
2011, Codes of Practice and Guidelines or the ability to quickly acquire.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Finance - Canberra Only
Contact: recruitment@dss.gov.au
Description of the role
These roles provide a range of financial activities including:
 Financial advice;
 Financial processing;
 Monitoring of compliance;
 Contract management and procurement; and
 Financial reporting and analysis activities.
These roles provide advice and reporting regarding payables and other general financial
queries from both internal and external clients.
In addition, these roles may also contribute to external budget publications, coordinate
internal and externally driven budget processes, input information into the Central Budget
Management System (CBMS), update the department’s funding model, and report on
budget-related matters.
Detailed understanding of the following legislation:
 Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013;
 Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs);
 Chief Executive Instructions (CEIs);
 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES) and the Estimates process;
 APS financial legislation;
 Financial Rules; and
 Procurement Process workflows.
Detailed understanding of the Department's procurement policy and related financial
guidelines
Competent capability in the use of the following software:
 SAP Procurement Essentials;
 MS Excel;
 New Policy Costing request (NPCR) Tool;




CBMS;
TM1;
Cognos; and
Supercross
Detailed knowledge of the following: economic and accounting principles and practices;
the Government budgeting process and rules; relevant processes relating to Social
Services payments; forecasting techniques and models; accrual accounting concepts;
financial markets and labour market.
Assessment Criteria
Criterion 1
Well-developed financial and analytical skills including professional and / or technical
capabilities in one or more of these areas: financial accounting and reporting, budgets,
management accounting, economics, taxation accounting, accounts processing, or financial
policy and assurance.
Criterion 2
An understanding of the Commonwealth resource management framework and the
Commonwealth Budget cycle, and the ability to provide advice and assistance in relation to a
broad range of Commonwealth financial management activities.
Criterion 3
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 4
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 5
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
Legal - Canberra Only
Contact Officer: Julie Flux – 02 6146 3400
Description of the role
These roles provide legal services on behalf of clients on matters associated with the law.
Desirable
Detailed understanding of relevant legislation which may include:
 Public Interest Disclosure Act;
 Work health and Safety Act;
 Fair work Act;
 Public Service Act; and
 FOI and Privacy Legislation.
Detailed understanding of administrative law principles and other general legal principles
including court process, legislative/parliamentary process, legislative drafting process and
policy process.
Assessment Criteria
Criterion 1- Freedom of Information Officer (FOI)
Ability to assist in the delivery of high quality FOI services to clients, providing advice and
drafting documents in relation to FOI requests and a demonstrated sound knowledge of
the Freedom of Information Act 1982, including relevant time frames for processing
requests.
Criterion 1- Departmental Officer - Portfolio Bodies
Ability to provide proactive support to the Minister, Secretary and Executive on major
priorities and emerging issues related to portfolio bodies including advice regarding
appointments and remuneration, maintaining guidance materials on the appointments and
committee processes.
Criterion 2
Organisational and time management skills, including ability to work under pressure to tight
deadlines.
Criterion 3
Well-developed written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to liaise with
internal and external stakeholders and maintain key stakeholder relationships; contribute to
the preparation of a variety of documents and correspondence; and develop and maintain
reports.
Criterion 4
Ability to work effectively as a part of a team working collaboratively and encouraging
co-operation with team members and clients.
How to apply
Click on the link to apply.
Contact Officer
For further information or assistance, please call the contact officer or email
recruitment@dss.gov.au.
Notes
Will interviews be conducted?
Interviews may or may not be conducted.
Will extensions be given?
Extensions will not be granted for this round of recruitment
Referee Reports
Provide two names and contact details.
Applications Close: 11.59 pm Friday, 10 July 2015.