Thank you for your interest in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

A better understanding of APS recruitment processes and knowing how to apply can increase your chances of getting a job with us.

The below information will also help to advise and assist you, and should be read in conjunction with the job description, selection criteria and application form.

Merit

All recruitment decisions in the GBRMPA are based on merit. The guidelines on merit in the Australian Public Service (APS) can be found in the Public Service Act 1999.

Privacy

The GBRMPA understands and respects your right to privacy and has safeguards in place in line with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988. The information provided in your job application will only be used for the selection process and related procedures. Should you be the successful candidate, your personal details will be used in Agency systems necessary for the management and engagement of staff and your name will appear in the Public Service Gazette.

Before you write

Are you eligible to apply?

Where the position has been advertised within the Authority only eligible on-going employees of the Authority may apply.

Where the position has been advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette with an asterisk only ongoing and non-ongoing employees of the Australian Public Service may apply.

Where the position has been advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette without an asterisk and through other mediums (Press/Internet/Publications) any person who believes they meet the requirements of the position may apply.

Are you eligible for appointment?

To be eligible for engagement in the GBRMPA, applicants must be Australian citizens. However, in some limited circumstances applicants who have permanent resident status may be offered employment pending the granting of citizenship.

If you are not an Australian Citizen at the time of applying for the advertised vacancy, it is in your interests to advise (in your application) whether you are a Permanent Resident, whether you have applied for Australian Citizenship and the expected timeframe for citizenship to be granted. Also refer to Citizenship Requirement for Employment.

Redundancy benefit

If you have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer within twelve months of your proposed date of engagement, the GBRMPA cannot offer you employment without prior approval from both the APS Commissioner and the Agency Head.

Security clearance

Certain positions in the GBRMPA require you to hold a Security Clearance or undergo and satisfy a probity check. If this is the case it will be indicated in the job description/advertisement. Wherever possible GBRMPA will seek to have the clearance process decided prior to your commencement.

Qualifications

Any claims you make in relation to formal academic or professional qualifications must be able to be verified with the relevant institution and certificates or transcripts must be able to be produced.

Please note: Failure to satisfy one of the eligibility requirements or produce relevant documents could result in disciplinary action, your offer of employment being withdrawn or your employment being terminated.

Completing your application

Advertised vacancies often attract a number of good quality candidates and so before preparing your application it is a good idea to obtain as much information as possible about the position. You will benefit from time spent on some basic research and planning before submitting and application. We recommend that you:

Carefully read the Selection Criteria, Duty Statement and other documentation provided
Ring the Contact Officer to discuss the particulars of the position, the proposed selection process, the work environment and any other matters.

Your application should contain the following:

• A completed Application Cover Sheet
• A statement of claims against the selection criteria as this is an essential part of your application. It should provide examples of your relevant skills, capabilities, experience and qualifications to demonstrate how you meet each criterion. Your statement should address each criterion individually but should also be succinct. Applications that fail to address the selection criteria may not be considered by the selection committee
• A résumé which contains your personal particulars including (but not limited to):
• • Full Name
  • Address
  • Contact Details (telephone/fax/email)
  • Education and Training
  • Employment History (including dates of employment, employer, position, and brief summary of duties); and
  • The names and contact details of two referees, preferably one being your current supervisor. A referee should be able to provide comments on your work performance against each selection criterion. Written referee reports are not required at time of interview unless you have been requested to bring them with you. A verbal referee report may be sought prior to interview by the selection committee to assist with the shortlisting process. Verbal and written referee reports may also be sought after interview to assist in the decision making process.
  • Pertinent supporting documentation which includes highly revelant documentation ie. copy of degree, trade qualification etc.

Note: You should be available for interview as soon as the vacancy closes. If you know that you will be unavailable, please note this on your application and, if possible, provide alternate contact details.

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background, or have a disability please identify these qualities in your application. If you have individual requirements that need to be accommodated in order to participate in an interview, please indicate this in your application.

Lodging your application

All our online job profiles have an apply online capacity at the bottom of job advertisement page, allowing you to submit your application over the web. You will need to upload your cover sheet, resume and selection criteria in either a WORD file or PDF.

You can also submit your application (including cover sheet, resume and responses to the selection criteria) by:

• Emailing your application to recruitment@gbrmpa.gov.au
  
• Posting your application by mail addressing it to: Recruitment Officer, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority,PO Box 1379 , TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810
• Faxing 07 4750 0892

Receipt of your application will only be acknowledged via emails within seven working days. Please ensure email contact is provided should you require receipt.

Closing date

The closing time unless stated otherwise for all applications is 5.00pm QLD time on the advertised closing date.

You need to ensure that your application is completed and submitted before the closing time as the vacancy is automatically removed from the website at this time. Late applications will only be accepted at the discretion of the chairperson on the selection committee.

The GBRMPA aims to complete selection processes within 12 weeks from the date the vacancy is advertised.

Selection policy and process

Policy

It is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's policy to select and recruit the most efficient applicant based on merit relative to agreed position requirements and organisational requirements.

Selection process

The Selection Advisory Committee conduct the selection exercise and provide a recommendation to the Delegate.

Selection will at a minimum be based on assessment of applications and referee comments (comments may be sought from both nominated referees and other persons with a knowledge of the applicants work). Other selection methods which may be applied include: interviews and practical exercises.

Applicants are expected to be prepared to make themselves reasonably available for applied selection methods on submission of their application.

Finalisation of the selection report

Once candidates have been interviewed the selection committee will make a recommendation to the delegate. Once the delegate has endorsed the report, candidates will be advised of the selection outcome. All candidates will be notified in writing of the outcome of the selection process. Unsuccessful applicants will be given the opportunity to seek feedback on the reasons for their non-selection from the chairperson of the selection committee.

Pre-employment checks

If you are the successful candidate, and you are not an existing employee of the APS, the GBRMPA will conduct a number of pre-employment checks. Any offer of engagement will be conditional upon the results of these checks being satisfactory. You will also be required to submit the following documents as proof of your identity:

• Full Australian birth certificate
• Australian citizenship certificate (if applicable)
• Change of name documents if applicable (e.g. Marriage, deed poll, divorce etc)
• Tertiary educational qualifications (if applicable)
• Evidence of professional memberships (if applicable)

More detailed information on these requirements will be provided if you are successful.

Character check

To be eligible for employment in the GBRMPA and the Australian Public Service we need to confirm that you are a “fit and proper person”. You will be required to complete a Consent to obtain Personal Information form (police records check) to enable the police to match your details with their records and prepare a report for the GBRMPA. It is important that you demonstrate your honesty and integrity by disclosing any previous or pending infringements.

Medical assessment

Your employment is subject to a medical assessment to show that you are fit to perform the duties of your position. A medical examination will be organised for you prior to your commencement with a medical provider determined by the GBRMPA. The medical report will assist us in assessing your fitness for employment.

Probation

If you are new to the APS, your employment will be subject to a 3 month probationary period. During this time your conduct and work performance will be assessed to determine your suitability for ongoing employment. If your conduct or work performance is considered unsatisfactory during this period, your employment may be terminated on the grounds of failure to meet a condition of your engagement.

Advice of decision and feedback

Applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of the selection exercise following the delegates decision.

Feedback may be sought by unsuccessful applicants from the person nominated in the advice.

Contact us

We hope this information has been of assistance to you and wish you every success in your career. If you have any queries or need any assistance, please email: recruitment@gbrmpa.gov.au

Recruitment Team
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority