Job Information Pack
About the department
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is inviting high-performing graduates to join its team and help manage the Australian Government’s priorities for:
- the National Broadband Network
- regional telecommunications
- the switchover to digital television
- cyber-safety and security
- broadcasting
- communications
- spectrum management
- digital innovation
- a range of consumer issues relevant to empowering consumers of broadband, telecommunication and online services.
As well as providing the Australian Government with economic, legal and policy advice on these ever-evolving areas, the Department administers regulations, funding, programs, support and other incentives to industry and the wider community.
The graduate program
The key to the Graduate Program experience is variety. The 11 month Program, commencing in January 2011, includes extensive learning and development opportunities involving:
- a comprehensive orientation week
- three different work rotations, with opportunities to contribute to policy development, program management and administration
- a comprehensive training schedule
- a formal mentoring program.
The Department’s size means that Graduates get to work closely with senior staff during the Program, and your opportunities for skills development and learning are closely monitored. You have the opportunity to develop valuable contacts and a profile across the Department.
The Department makes a significant investment in you during the year, and we want you to learn and develop as much as possible. When the Program ends we want you to have a great position and to see a future with the Department.
Each year the Department’s Graduates form a social and supportive group, ensuring they have an easy introduction to both work and to life in Canberra. The Graduates from the year before also act as ‘social mentors’ giving tips for finding housing, good restaurants and clubs etc. A year as a Graduate is highly rewarding and can be one of the best years of your working life!
Applying for the graduate program
We are seeking smart and energetic people who want to help shape and manage significant government policies and programs.
The selection criteria reflect the knowledge, experience, core skills and personal qualities required for this position. Assessment of applicants during the selection process is based on these criteria.
You do not need to provide a separate response to each of the criteria in your written application. Instead you will need to provide answers to the 4 questions outlined below. A word limit of 250 words applies to each response.
The selection criteria for the Graduate Program are as follows:
Good judgment and analytical skills
- Comprehends information and identifies critical issues quickly;
- Thinks through issues and applies a common sense approach to problems;
- Seeks relevant information for problem solving; and
- Seeks direction when required
Ability to achieve results
- Completes tasks efficiently and effectively in line with work area goals; procedures and guidelines
- Organises and prioritises own workload in order to achieve outcomes within an allocated time
- Understands the objectives of the tasks / projects
- Can discriminate between more important and less important objectives
- Ability to think laterally and apply innovative approaches to problem solving.
Ability to communicate with influence
- Listens to others and contributes to group discussions
- Produces written communication which is clear, concise and is readily understood by intended audience
- Ability to express oneself clearly and logically
- Comes across with presence and credibility
- Able to communicate, relate to and see issues from the perspective of people from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds.
Ability to build effective working relationships
- Works co-operatively with others and demonstrates team player behaviour
- Treats others with respect and courtesy and values different ideas and approaches
- Establishes and maintains relationships with people at all levels
- Responds flexibly to client needs
- Contributes ides to the team.
Critical Self-Awareness
- Ability to manage and evaluate own performance
- Awareness of the impact of one’s behaviour on others
- Ability to read emotions in others and understand their perspective
- Has self-assurance and confidence in own performance
- Ability to manage emotions in self and others to improve performance and productivity.
Desire to work in Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE)
- A genuine interest and commitment in working in the Department
- An awareness of one’s ability to make a contribution to the Department
- Has skills and qualifications relevant to the Department’s criteria
- Is well informed on issues relating to the Department.
Written Application - Questions
Motivation
Based on your skills and qualifications, how do you think you will be able to contribute to the work of the Department? What do you find appealing about the Department?
Teamwork
Give me an example of when you were able to actively assist a team member towards the achievement of a common goal. What did you do? What was the result?
Ability to achieve results
Tell me about a time when you put in extra effort without being asked, in pursuit of a target/goal.
Good judgment & analytical skills
Can you tell me about a complex problem you have had to solve recently. What was it? What did you do?
Online Application Form
The on-line application process requires you to complete information about yourself including personal details, academic qualifications, how you heard about the Graduate Program, and your preferred interview location.
Academic transcript
When entering your academic details, please remember to enter the results obtained from your undergraduate degree. There is additional space provided to put details of other qualifications. Please include all results including withdrawals and fails. All transcripts will be checked before an offer of employment is made.
Referees
As part of your application you should provide the names and contact details of two referees who can talk about your abilities against the selection criteria of the job. This would usually include your current supervisor if you are working.
Preferred assessment location
You are required to nominate a preferred assessment location on your application. This is the location where you would attend an interview or other assessment. Please nominate your closest capital city. All applicants are required to attend the assessment centre in person; no phone interviews will be conducted.
If you require any assistance with your application due to disability, please email graduate@dbcde.gov.au or call the Graduate Development Team on 02 6271 7020.
We prefer online applications through our website: www.dbcde.gov.au/grads. If you don’t have access to the web you can post it to:
Graduate Development Team
People Planning, Recruitment and Development
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Hard copy applications will be scanned by the Department and placed online for the selection panel’s consideration.
The selection process
We know that people put a lot of time and effort into their applications and so we move as quickly as possible to assess them and to let you know whether or not you have been successful. However, we usually receive a large number of applications for the Graduate Program, so please be patient.
The Department has engaged a service provider to coordinate the selection process. Hoban Recruitment will be in contact with you once the application period has closed.
Outline below is an approximate timeframe for the selection process:
| Activity | Timeframe |
| Application period | 11 March 2010 – 27 April 2010 |
| Screening of written applications | 27 April 2010 – 7 May 2010 |
| Online testing | 10 May 2010 – 13 May 2010 |
| Assessment Centres | 24 May 2010 – 4 June 2010 |
| Process finalised – offers made | Prior to the end of June 2010 |
Benefits of working with us
Pay rates
The Department has a comprehensive Collective Agreement with attractive salaries and conditions of service. You can take a look at our current Collective Agreement at http://www.dbcde.gov.au/employment/Collective_Agreement.
Salary packaging
You can salary package items such as superannuation, cars and laptops through our salary packaging arrangements.
Relocation costs
All Graduate positions are located in the Forrest/Barton area of Canberra. The Department will meet reasonable relocation costs for interstate Graduates, including travel costs, up to 3 weeks accommodation in a serviced apartment, and removal of household furniture and effects.
Additional benefits
We offer significant additional benefits such as:
- an attractive superannuation scheme
- flexible working hours
- four weeks annual leave
- four weeks unplanned leave
- paid maternity leave (after a qualifying period)
- three months long service leave after 10 years service
- the option to purchase additional annual leave.
Working under the public service act 1999
Like other Australian Government departments, our work is governed by the Public Service Act 1999 and our conditions are reflected in our Collective Agreement.
There are some eligibility and other legal requirements that you should be aware of when applying.
Probation
Probation means a period of time where your performance is assessed before your employment is confirmed. People joining the Department through the Graduate Program have a probationary period which lasts the length of the program.
Citizenship
The Public Service Act 1999 requires all people joining the Australian Public Service to be Australian citizens. The Secretary may waiver the citizenship requirement in exceptional circumstances but if you think this could be a problem, discuss it with the contact officer before applying for a position.
Redundancy benefit
There are restrictions on the employment of people who have accepted a redundancy benefit from an Australian Government employer. If this is you, you might want to contact the Graduate Development Team for further information.
Share ownership
To avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest, if you are successful in getting the job you are required to disclose any share ownership that is relevant to the portfolio. This is very important and you should talk to the Graduate Development Team about this if you own such shares.
Health assessment
New employees are required to undergo a health assessment. We will advise you how to go about arranging your appointment if you are successful for the program.
Security and character checks
We will conduct a number of pre-employment checks; if you are offered a position with the Department you will be required to supply certified copies of:
- full birth certificate
- marriage certificate (if it shows a name change)
- decree nisi/decree absolute if associated with a name change
- deed poll certificate if associated with a name change
- current passport(s)
- Australian citizenship certificate
- photo ID
- tertiary educational qualification(s).
We also require all employees to hold a minimum protected security clearance level. If you do not hold a security clearance at this level we will require you to undergo a security check before your employment can be confirmed. If you have any questions about this, please talk to the Graduate Development Team.
