Information for applicants. Working life. Benefits and conditions. 1. Flexibility. 2. Equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer

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1 Information for applicants This guide is provided to assist you in applying for a job with the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing and to provide you with information on our benefits and conditions. Working life We seek highly motivated, energetic and results-oriented people to work as part of our team striving to manage national parks and their use and enjoyment by all Queenslanders, encourage active lifestyles by providing recreational and sporting opportunities, and manage the racing industry. You can help shape Queensland s future so if you re looking for a rewarding career, come and work with us. You will work in an organisational culture which values results, professional growth, workforce diversity and a balance between work and life commitments. You will be actively encouraged and supported as an individual and will have access to a range of flexible work practices, learning and development opportunities, and study assistance. You will be expected to work in accordance with the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service, Workplace Health and Safety legislation, and all other policies, directives and legislation that affect your role. Benefits and conditions In many areas, our employment conditions are superior to those offered in other sectors. Benefits include: competitive salaries as detailed in the QPS Salary Schedule ( generous superannuation entitlements through QSuper ( locality allowance if you work in particular regional locations potential recognition of prior service (long service and sick leave balances) from previous government or educational institutions annual salary increases (increments) based on performance until the top of the salary range is reached generous leave entitlements, four or five weeks paid annual leave depending on location. 1. Flexibility One of the benefits in working for the state government is the flexibility you can negotiate. Our staff enjoy: a hour week for most full-time public servants (a 38 hour week applies to some specific roles) flexible working arrangements including accrued flexitime off and flexible start and finish times (not available to Senior Officer and SES roles) reasonable adjustment for people with disabilities an environment that supports family commitments, including 14 weeks paid maternity leave an option to purchase additional leave a range of policies and procedures that support balancing work with other responsibilities. 2. Equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer The department understands and values the benefits of a diverse workforce. Applicants from EEO target groups are encouraged to apply.

2 3. Training and professional development When you commence you will undertake an induction program to help you understand your new organisation and how it operates. Support and training continues throughout your career, with opportunities to attend professional workshops and programs. Our Study and Research Assistance Scheme (SARAS) may also provide you with financial support and leave to study or undertake research should you wish to undertake further relevant study. 4. Safe and healthy workplace Our aim is to make the department a better place in which to work by developing and maintaining effective workplace health and safety systems, and by promoting activities to improve all employees health and wellbeing. Examples of these systems and programs include: participation in workplace safety and wellness initiatives, including a Corporate Health Fund and flu vaccinations access to free personal counselling for you and your family participation in wellness programs such as the quit smoking program access to a network of workplace health and safety officers. As part of our commitment to providing safe and healthy workplaces, all buildings and workplaces are non-smoking environments. 5. Salary packaging Salary packaging is a tax-effective way of receiving your salary as a combination of income and benefits by allowing you to deduct some of your pre-tax income and use it to pay for benefits such as superannuation contributions or a novated lease. Remuneration Services (Remserv) ( and Smartsalary ( have been engaged to administer the department s salary packaging. 6. Relocation assistance If you accept an appointment to another location, you may be reimbursed for some financial outlays that you incur in moving. Access to relocation expense payments depends on individual circumstances and will differ according to your place of origin and your destination. 7. Regional locations Incentives such as subsidised accommodation, payment of locality allowance, and an extra week s recreation leave per year may be available, depending on your regional location. If you are applying for a position in a rural or regional location, the contact person (see role description) will be able to provide you with further information. 8. Other employment While employed in the public service, you are also able to work in another job including self-employment or consultancy, provided: it does not impact on your performance within the department you are employed there is no real or perceived conflict of interest it does not have a negative effect on the image of the department or the government it does not have the potential for the misuse of information, intellectual property, or physical or other public resources. You will need to advise your manager if you commence working in another job or are working in one when you join the department. 2

3 How to apply 1. My application To apply for the position you will need to provide a: response to the 'key attributes' copy of your resume. 2. Writing a response to key attributes (two pages or as specified) Each vacancy advertised on Smart jobs and careers contains a link to the role description which outlines the key duties and accountabilities of the role together with the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications. Please ensure you read the role description carefully as it will help you determine if you are the right person for the job and to confirm you meet any mandatory requirements. Your responses to the key attributes listed in the role description provide the selection panel with information about the extent to which you possess the skills, experience, knowledge and personal qualities being sought and how you have used them before or have the potential to acquire the skill or knowledge. Check for words such as good, thorough and high which indicate the level of skill or knowledge being sought. Good requires a moderate level while thorough or high means that advanced skills or knowledge are required. If no level is indicated, a beginner level is acceptable. Base your information on what you have done, how you accomplished the outcomes and what knowledge and/or personal attributes you used (e.g. ability to work cooperatively with others) to achieve the outcome. Expand on information supplied in your resume as the information in your response to key attributes will be used in conjunction with your resume to select the most suitable applicants for interview. Carefully select examples that demonstrate your competence or experience. Ensure they relate to information supplied in the role description. It is not the number of examples you provide but their quality and relevance that is important. Present your information in a logical, clear and concise way. Depending on the level of detail requested, a simple technique to help you structure your responses is the Situation, Tasks, Action and Results (STAR) method described below. S T A R What was the SITUATION? Explain the situation to the reader. Start by providing an example of a situation where you have demonstrated the particular skills, knowledge, experience or personal attributes outlined in the role description. What TASKS were involved? Explain to the reader the processes, resources, etc. you used. Write about what you were responsible for (the tasks/duties you performed) that demonstrate your skills, knowledge, experience or personal attributes. What ACTION did you take? Explain what you did, whom you consulted, and how you developed and implemented strategies. Think about what other skills/actions you took that would set you apart from the other applicants. What was the end RESULT? Explain what the outcomes were and their relationship to strategic/corporate goals or business outcomes, if applicable. 3

4 3. Writing a resume Your resume (maximum of six pages) should provide a complete picture of your career focusing on your education, qualifications and major achievements whether they be through paid work or a volunteering experience. Include the name and contact details of at least one referee. Where possible, your referee should be a previous employer, manager or supervisor who can comment on your recent performance in the workplace (preferably your current supervisor). It is important for you to advise your referees prior to providing their details. Also provide details of your qualifications for any mandatory requirements in the role description. A Justice of Peace, solicitor, or commissioner for declarations certified copy will be required at the time a job offer is made. 4. How do I submit my application? Applications are to be submitted online via Smart jobs and careers. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Applications Processing Team on (07) or (07) between 9am to 5pm to discuss alternative arrangements. Complete applications must be received by 12 midnight on the date specified in the role description. 5. Late applications Late applications cannot be submitted via Smart jobs and careers, so please allow enough time before the closing date to submit your application. If approval has been granted by the selection panel for a late application to be considered, contact the Applications Processing Team to arrange this. 6. Changing your contact details If your personal details change after you have submitted your application, you need to advise the Applications Processing Team. 7. Withdrawing an application To withdraw your application, you will need to access your My SmartJob account. What happens after I lodge my application 1. Short-listing The selection panel will assess each application to identify those applicants who are suitable to progress to the next step of the selection process. In doing so, the panel will be looking to identify applicants who best demonstrate each of the 'key attributes' outlined in the role description. These applicants will be invited to attend the next phase of assessment. 2. Further assessment This stage may be made up of one or more assessment tools such as a review of work samples, work-based demonstrations, presentations, and/or interview. 3. Referee checks A referee check will be conducted to obtain information on your job performance, behaviour, disciplinary history and attendance. The timing of the referee check is at the discretion of the panel and can be undertaken at any time in the assessment process. If any comments are received which may adversely impact on the outcome of the selection process, you will be given the opportunity to respond. 4

5 4. Outcome Whether you are successful or unsuccessful, you will not be notified until the recommended applicant is formally approved. The panel may also recommend that applicants be considered for appointment should identical or similar vacancies become available within 12 months. 5. Privacy The department is committed to protecting the privacy, accuracy and security of personal information and all recruitment and selection information will only be accessed by authorised personnel. Recruitment and selection information may be subject to requests under the Right to Information Act 2009, the Information Privacy Act 2009 and the Public Service Commission appeals process. What if I am successful You will be advised in writing that you have been successful. If you are not already a permanent public service employee, you may be able to negotiate a salary point within the advertised salary range. You will need to supply some personal details so that we can get you on the payroll as quickly as possible. You will participate in an induction program so that you become familiar with your work area and understand your conditions of employment. Check whether a probationary period applies on appointment. This is usually three months in duration. Newly-appointed public service employees are obliged to provide, within one month of starting duty, a disclosure of employment as a lobbyist in the previous two years. You need to negotiate your starting date with your new manager. Discipline history checking People working in the public sector are required to demonstrate a high level of personal accountability and responsibility. The department may undertake a discipline check for applicants already working in the public sector. If you are an existing public service employee, it is mandatory for you to disclose in writing any serious disciplinary action taken against you within seven (7) days of an offer of a job being made. Serious disciplinary action means disciplinary action under a public sector law involving: termination of employment reduction of classification level or rank transfer or redeployment to other employment reduction of remuneration level a disciplinary declaration under a public sector disciplinary law of termination of employment or reduction of classification level or rank. If a disclosure of serious disciplinary action is made, the information presented will be considered with regard to the relevance of the duties of the job for which you are applying. Natural justice principles will be applied to this process which means you will be offered an opportunity to present your side of the story. Failure to disclose serious disciplinary action or provide false or misleading information is grounds for disciplinary action. What happens if I am unsuccessful, can I get feedback? You will be advised if you are unsuccessful. Verbal post-selection feedback is available to all applicants on request. Feedback is provided by a member of the selection panel. Feedback can be given about your application (e.g. did it provide enough information or relevant examples to demonstrate your skill/knowledge) and suitability in regard to the job skills, knowledge, experience and personal attributes. Where do I get more information? If you have further questions regarding your application and conditions of employment, please contact the person nominated in the role description. 5