Dear Applicant
Parliamentary Service Level 5/6—Editor, Hansard (Sessional part-time) NonOngoing
Thank you for your interest in the position of Editor, Hansard PSL5/6. The attached
information package may help you in preparing your application.
The information package includes:
(a)
information about the department;
(b)
a copy of the position’s duty statement and selection criteria; and
(c)
an application cover sheet, which must be completed and attached to your
application.
Details of how to apply for this position are outlined within this information pack. Please note
that applications must be submitted by midnight Sunday, 11 May 2014.
For further information about this position, please contact:
Christine White (02) 6277 2858 - [email protected]
Kind regards
Recruitment Team
Department of Parliamentary Services
T: 02 6277 5200
W: DPS Employment page
Parliament House ● PO Box 6000 ACT 2600 Australia ● T: +61 2 6277 7111 ● ABN: 52 997 141 147
Information pack— Sessional part-time editors – Parliamentary Service
Level 5/6
Who are we looking for?
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting Sessional editors within the
Content Management Branch.
About the Job
Hansard, which is a section of the Content Management Branch, is responsible for the
production of all chamber and parliamentary committee transcripts.
Hansard employs sessional (part-time staff who generally only work when parliament is
sitting), part-time, full-time and casual editors to produce these transcripts.
A Hansard editor will generally commence as a trainee and receive on-the-job training.
Although a degree is not essential, potential editors should be team players who thrive in a
fast-paced environment characterised by tight deadlines that can change at short notice.
You should have a focus on getting the job done. You should have a good knowledge of
English expression, a good level of general knowledge, with particular emphasis on political
and current affairs, and the ability to pick up and correct obvious mistakes in the spoken
word.
Sitting weeks
Parliament sits for 18-20 weeks per year, during which editors work long and irregular hours,
including evenings. Overtime can be paid or taken as time in lieu. Sitting weeks are
characterised by changes to hours at short notice, additional sittings, late nights and
requests for urgent committee transcripts.
Non-sitting weeks
Editors generally work a standard day of 7:30. Their work in non-sitting weeks is primarily the
production of committee transcripts. More than 60 per cent of Hansard's work is the
production of committee transcripts. Committees sit all over Australia and Hansard is
responsible for the production of all the transcripts. Other tasks include preparation of proof
Hansards for publication as the official record and project work to progress organisational
capability.
Working at Parliament House
The benefits of working at Parliament House include free gym membership, free parking and
access to our brilliant Library.
Testing and interview
Suitable candidates may be tested for their abilities in respect to the duty statement.
Interviews will focus on the selection criteria.
Editor training program
Successful applicants will be employed at the bottom of the PSL5 level and complete a
comprehensive training program before progressing to the PSL6 component of the
broadband.
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Info Pack – PSL5/6 Sessional Hansard Editors (JO682)
Currently, the salary range for this position is $73,126 - $78,452 plus 4% evening work
allowance
How to apply
Applications, quoting the relevant reference number, should be sent:
(a)
by email to [email protected] quoting JO682 in the subject line.
Your application must:
(a)
include a completed DPS job application cover sheet;
(b)
your current resume (must include 2 current referees one being current manager);
(d)
claims against each selection criterion within 500 words per criterion; and
(e)
be submitted by the closing date.
Our selection process
(a)
All ongoing DPS jobs are filled on merit. This means we assess the suitability of
applicants to undertake the duties of the job using a competitive selection
process.
(b)
If you are selected for interview, you will be asked to elaborate at interview
about how your experience and skills qualify you for the position.
(c)
Referees reports will be sought to further assess suitability of interviewed
candidates.
General advice for developing your application
If you are unfamiliar with addressing selection criteria, the Australian Public Service
Commission’s fact sheet on applying for jobs will be useful:
Cracking the code fact sheet 5
Some of DPS’s selection criteria are generic and are based on the Australian Public Service
Commission’s Integrated Leadership System (ILS). Applicants will be expected to
demonstrate how they would apply these skills to the requirements of the job as described.
The Australian Public Service Commission’s ILS Leadership Pathway identifies and
describes leadership capabilities at all classification level
(http://www.apsc.gov.au/learn/integrated-leadership-system).
Some background to the department
DPS is one of four departments based in Parliament House to support the work of the
Federal Parliament.
DPS is the principal support agency for the operations of Parliament House—a building
where more than 3,500 people work on sitting days and which nearly one million people visit
each year.
To fulfil the DPS mission of “serving the Australian people by supporting the Parliament and
caring for Parliament House”, DPS has approximately 800 staff with a huge diversity of skills.
DPS has an annual operations budget of around $150 million to deliver a wide variety of
services, including building maintenance, security, ICT, Hansard, broadcasting, and library
and research services to the Parliament, parliamentary committees, Members and Senators
and their staff and other building occupants.
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Info Pack – PSL5/6 Sessional Hansard Editors (JO682)
The Presiding Officers (the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives) are jointly responsible for the department. The Secretary of DPS is
responsible to the Presiding Officers for the department’s efficient operation.
Information about DPS such as its annual report and strategic plan can be found on http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Department_of_Parlia
mentary_Services/Publications.
The website also includes a brochure about DPS and our staff—
http://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/dps/wearedps-brochure.pdf.
General advice to applicants
Employment opportunities in the Parliamentary Service are open to all Australian citizens
and may be subject to a range of conditions including:
(a)
a requirement for a probationary period;
(b)
security and character clearances;
(c)
working with children check; and
(d)
a health clearance.
If you are not an Australian citizen, and have already applied for citizenship you may still be
considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship
within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to
termination of engagement.
If you have accepted a redundancy benefit from a Commonwealth employer (including the
Parliamentary Service and the Australian Public Service), you cannot be employed by DPS
until your exclusion period (the number of weeks for which you received a redundancy
benefit) has expired. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact Recruitment
on telephone (02) 6277 5200.
The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 provides for mobility between the Australian Public
Service and the Parliamentary Service.
Conditions of employment and salary
Conditions of employment and rates of pay for non-SES DPS staff are specified in:
(a)
the Department of Parliamentary Services Enterprise Agreement 2011;
(b)
the Parliamentary Service Act 1999;
(c)
Parliamentary Service Determinations; and
Note: Persons commencing with DPS will generally be paid at the bottom of the salary range
for the relevant classification.1
Superannuation
Employees may be required to make superannuation contributions under the
Superannuation Act 1976, the Superannuation Act 1990, or the Superannuation Act 2005,
whichever is applicable. In addition DPS will pay an employer contribution rate as
determined by the relevant fund. .
1
Clause 224 DPS Enterprise Agreement 2011
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Info Pack – PSL5/6 Sessional Hansard Editors (JO682)
Duty Statement
Classification:
PSL 5/6
Position No.:
TBA
Local Title:
Editor
Branch:
Content Management Branch
Section:
Hansard
Immediate supervisor:
Assistant Director (PEL 1)
Security assessment:
Not required
Under broad direction, undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for PSL 5/6
The duties may include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following:
1
As either a trainee editor (PSL5) or a broadbanded editor (PSL6) produce accurate
parliamentary transcripts to tight deadlines in a high-volume, high pressure work
environment. This requires:
(a)
Good editorial, grammatical, comprehension and keyboard skills.
(b)
The ability to meet tight deadlines in a high-volume, high pressure work
environment.
(c)
Good general knowledge and an interest in current affairs.
(d)
The ability to transcribe using voice recognition, computer aided transcription
or keyboarding skills.
(e)
Research skills.
(f)
Subediting—a second pair of eyes over the proof transcript prior to
publication.
2
Prepare proof Hansards for publication as Officials.
3
Support production of committee transcripts by providing logs of terms and
voiceovers of parliamentary committees.
4
As required, undertake project work to progress organisational capability.
5
Other duties as directed.
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Info Pack – PSL5/6 Sessional Hansard Editors (JO682)
Notes:

Hours of duty for Hansard staff are dictated by the operational requirements of the
parliament and the department. In parliamentary sitting weeks, editors are required to
work long and irregular hours, including evenings, for which they receive an
annualised allowance of four per cent of salary and overtime for hours beyond 7:30

Trainee editors are expected to progress through the Hansard Editor Training
Program within designated timeframes.
Duties representing highest function:
Service Delivery / Professional
Functions
Reviewed and approved by Assistant Secretary, Content
Management Branch:
Karen Greening
Date:
5 March 2014
Info Pack – PSL5/6 Sessional Hansard Editors (JO682)
Selection Criteria
Classification:
Parliamentary Service Level 5/6 (Broadband)
Position No.:
TBA
Local Title:
Hansard Editor
Delivering Outcomes:
1
Ability to maintain work flows and deliver results within tight deadlines in a highvolume, high pressure work environment.
Leadership and Team Contribution:
2
Ability to exercise professional judgement in a constructive manner, flexibly adapt to
new challenges, identify opportunities and contribute both individually and as a member of a
team.
Communication:
3
Well developed verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills including
ability to communicate with influence, listen to, and identify, the expectations and concerns of
others.
Energy, Adaptability and Enthusiasm:
4
Take personal responsibility for accurate completion of work, focus on achieving
objectives, maintain an optimistic outlook and focus on positives even in difficult
circumstances.
Conceptual and Analytical Skills:
5
Well developed research skills, ability to comprehend information and identify critical
issues quickly.
Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide
professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or
prejudice.
Reviewed and approved by Assistant Secretary, Content
Management Branch:
Karen Greening
Date:
5 March 2014
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Info Pack – PSL5/6 Sessional Hansard Editors (JO682)