About the branch
The Workplace Relations Branch and the Bargaining Taskforce work collaboratively to deliver the Australian Government's workplace relations policies and support agencies in their workplace responsibilities.
The Workplace Relations Branch undertakes policy development, implementation and advice on workplace relations matters related to Commonwealth public sector employment, including enterprise bargaining, remuneration and conditions of employment.
The Bargaining Taskforce supports the central negotiations of over 100 APS enterprise agreements. This is a high-profile reform activity working to address fragmentation in pay and conditions across the APS.
The key duties of the position include:
We are looking for workplace relations, human resources, legal, policy, governance or data professionals who can apply their skills to fast-paced workplace relations projects, including APS service-wide bargaining.
You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, high-level analytical skills, sound judgement, the ability to work in a team under pressure and a keen willingness to continuously learn.
As an Assistant Director, you may lead and manage a small team in the delivery of operational and strategic workplace relations advice to Commonwealth departments and agencies. You will champion contemporary best practice in workplace relations and be adept at identifying and addressing workplace relations risks.
Key duties of an Assistant Director include:
o Providing specialist, high level policy advice on:
+ the application and interpretation of the Government's workplace relations policies;
+ terms and conditions of employment within the Commonwealth public sector;
+ enterprise bargaining and agreement making;
+ remuneration policy; and
+ relevant legislation including the Fair Work Act 2009, the Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1973 and the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976.
o Researching and preparing high-level briefing material, correspondence, papers, reports and other workplace relations related documents.
o Establishing effective working relationships with stakeholders and agencies, giving consideration to sensitive organisational, political and public sector issues.
o Analysing, monitoring and sharing developments in employment law and legislative change, in order to mitigate risks and improve workplace relations services.
o Establishing effective working relationships within a team environment, building capability through coaching and developing others.
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) or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining citizenship.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated. All Commission staff are required to have a minimum Baseline security clearance prior to commencement.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a mandatory National Criminal History check as part of the pre-employment eligibility checks.
The Australian Public Service Commission is committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workforce. We welcome applications from across our community including, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ+, mature aged employees and carers.
Getting to know the Australian Public Service Commission
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a central agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. The Commission supports two statutory office holders: the Australian Public Service Commissioner—who is also agency head—and the Merit Protection Commissioner. Their functions are set out in sections 41(1) and 50(1), respectively, of the Public Service Act 1999. About the Commission The Australian Public Service Commission is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. Our Statutory responsibilities are detailed in the Public Service Act 1999. The APSC also provides resources to support the Merit Protection Commissioner. We operate under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. We employ around 350 staff, and have offices in Canberra and Sydney.