The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) recognises the service of members of the ADF who die in war. We also commemorate eligible veterans who survived war service, but who later died from service-related injuries or conditions.
As an agent of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), we maintain war cemeteries, individual war graves and memorials for members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the First and Second World Wars.
The OAWG assets include a number of war cemeteries, Gardens of Remembrance and numerous official commemorations in general cemeteries throughout Australia. You will be responsible for the programming of work for staff and contractors to carry out horticultural and structural maintenance and the management of minor projects.
Under the limited direction of the Assistant Director Operations, the Operations Manager is responsible for all OAWG care and maintenance activities in Tasmania and also provides specialist operational support to other depots as directed.
The Operations Manager supervises staff and contractors and is responsible for ensuring they operate in a safe and appropriate manner and therefore must be able to demonstrate the management of multiple public horticultural facilities within Commonwealth and State legislation and regulations.
As the OAWG representative, the Operations Manager is required to liaise with Department of Veterans’ Affairs staff, ex-Service organisations, veterans’ and their families, cemetery authorities, local and State authorities, and funeral providers on matters relating to OAWG business.
The OAWG Operations Manager must be able to demonstrate an ability to represent the Commonwealth as an official at international and national fora and have an understanding of military commemorative services.
Intrastate and interstate travel is a requirement of this position resulting in time away from home base for periods of up to a week at a time.
The OAWG Operations Manager – Tasmania will be based at the OAWG Depot at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery in Hobart.
The key duties of the position include:
* Plan, manage and review the care and maintenance activities of the OAWG in the State or Territory and provide specialist operational support to other depots as directed
* Supervise a range of horticultural maintenance activities including professional turf care, maintenance of garden beds and shrub borders, pruning, recognition and treatment of planet diseases and pests.
* Engage, train and supervise OAWG staff and contractors in the State or Territory
* Engage and supervise contractors as required to enable horticultural and structural works to proceed as planned
* Prepare and manage the budget for OAWG activities in the State or Territory and exercise the relevant delegations to approve proposals to spend public monies
* Liaise with other DVA staff, cemetery authorities, members of the public, ex-service organisations and others as required
* Represent the Commonwealth at international, national and state fora and in formal military commemorative events
* Report to senior management and provide advice on issues relations to OAWG activities.
Eligibility
* Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
* All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
* The successful candidate will be required obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance.
* A minimum Certificate III in Horticulture (Diploma or Certificate IV level trade qualifications preferred).
* A current drivers licence with no restrictions.
Notes
This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.
Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for an initial specified term of up to 23 months.
A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.
Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
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Getting to know the Department of Veterans' Affairs
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to fulfil the nation’s duty to support our serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. We do this through programs of care, compensation, commemoration, income and Defence support services. Our aim is to enhance self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community recognition for those we support. DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, Federal and State Government agencies and the veteran community. DVA’s vision is to honour veterans, and empower them and their families to continue life after service, within a society that understands and values their military service and their ongoing contribution to the community.