Role Description
Science Outreach Officer
Cluster
Finance, Services & Innovation
Department/ Agency
Department of Finance, Services & Innovation
Division/ Branch/Unit
Better Regulation – SafeWork NSW
Classification/Grade/Band
Clerk Grade 7/8
ANZSCO Code
224412
PCAT Code
1229191
Date of Approval
March 2017
Primary purpose of the role
Coordinate and deliver effective science outreach services for the Centre for WHS, to support business
objectives and raise awareness, interest and understanding of WHS research resulting in changing safety
behaviours and informing practice.
Key accountabilities

Contribute to the translation of work health and safety research into policies, practices, harm prevention
advice and injury and illness interventions.

Provide practical support in a shared services environment in the development of outreach strategies
including promotion of research data and intelligence, through networks and programs.

Work collaboratively as part of the broader team to contribute to the development and implementation of
science outreach programs and initiatives that reflect contemporary best practice

Remain alert to identifying key public issues impacting the organisation, and the NSW community and in
response, contribute to the development and distribution of agile and forward thinking initiatives,
products and services

Take ownership for allocated programs and initiatives, reporting on achievement of milestones and
other relevant performance indicators

Support and maintain a network of suppliers and colleagues to actively understand input and ideas from
a wide range of internal and external sources

Monitor and review the administrative requirements for the Science Outreach team including budget,
expenditure and other reporting
Key challenges

Contributing to the establishment of a critical function and concept, never before practiced by the WHS
regulator in NSW, and providing immediate turn-around of new services

Remaining focused on supporting long-term strategic projects while continuing to respond and provide
daily support and services and being resilient in a changing environment with competing demands

Understanding public issues and other factors likely to impact the way the Centre for WHS
communicates externally
Key relationships
Who
Why
Internal
Manager





Contribute to broader unit issues
Receive guidance and direction
Prepare advice, reports, data and analysis
Provide updates on program status and emerging issues
Escalate issues and keep informed
Working Team
 Participate in meetings, present information on program status, sensitive and emerging
issues
 Receive guidance and direction
 Prepare advice, reports, data and analysis
 Contribute to cross functional projects, working groups and networks on an ad-hoc basis
 Support team members and work collaboratively to contribute to achieving the teams
business outcomes
Client / Customer
 Provide information and service
 Respond to queries and escalate to manager to resolve issues and provide solutions
 Manage the flow of information, seek clarification and provide advice and responses to
ensure prompt resolution of issues or direct query to relevant area
External
Customers/
Stakeholders




Industry
professionals/
consultants
 Seek/maintain specialist knowledge/ advice and collaborate on the implementation and
delivery of science communication and outreach strategies
 Participate in forums, groups, to represent the agency and share information
 Participate in discussions regarding innovation and best practice
Maintain effective working relationships and open channels of communication
Engage with, consult, provide and obtain information
Contribute to a client-focussed approach to service delivery
Manage the flow of information, seek clarification and provide advice and responses to
ensure prompt resolution of issues or direct query to relevant area
Role dimensions
Decision making
This role has autonomy and makes decisions that are under their direct control as directed by their
Manager. It refers to a Manager decisions that require significant change to program outcomes or
timeframes or are likely to escalate or require submission to a higher level of management. This role is fully
accountable for the delivery of work assignments on time and to expectations in terms of quality,
deliverables and outcomes.
Role Description Science Outreach Officer
Reporting Line
This role reports to the Manager Science Outreach
Direct reports
Nil
Budget/Expenditure
As per DFSI Delegations Manual
Essential requirements

Tertiary qualifications relevant to the role

Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

Regular travel between Sydney and Gosford

Travel throughout NSW including overnight stays
Capabilities for the role
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework applies to all NSW public sector employees. The Capability
Framework is available at www.psc.nsw.gov.au/capabilityframework
Capability summary
Below is the full list of capabilities and the level required for this role. The capabilities in bold are the focus
capabilities for this role. Refer to the next section for further information about the focus capabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Capability Group
Capability Name
Level
Display Resilience and Courage
Intermediate
Act with Integrity
Intermediate
Manage Self
Adept
Value Diversity
Intermediate
Communicate Effectively
Adept
Commit to Customer Service
Adept
Work Collaboratively
Adept
Influence and Negotiate
Intermediate
Deliver Results
Adept
Plan and Prioritise
Intermediate
Think and Solve Problems
Intermediate
Demonstrate Accountability
Adept
Role Description Science Outreach Officer
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Capability Group
Capability Name
Level
Finance
Foundational
Technology
Adept
Procurement and Contract Management
Foundational
Project Management
Intermediate
Focus capabilities
The focus capabilities for the role are the capabilities in which occupants must demonstrate immediate
competence. The behavioural indicators provide examples of the types of behaviours that would be
expected at that level and should be reviewed in conjunction with the role’s key accountabilities.
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
Personal Attributes
Adept
 Look for and take advantage of opportunities to learn new
skills and develop strengths
 Show commitment to achieving challenging goals
 Examine and reflect on own performance
 Seek and respond positively to constructive feedback and
guidance
 Demonstrate a high level of personal motivation
Adept
 Tailor communication to the audience
 Clearly explain complex concepts and arguments to
individuals and groups
 Monitor own and others’ non-verbal cues and adapt where
necessary
 Create opportunities for others to be heard
 Actively listen to others and clarify own understanding
 Write fluently in a range of styles and formats
Adept
 Take responsibility for delivering high quality customerfocused services
 Understand customer perspectives and ensure
responsiveness to their needs
 Identify customer service needs and implement solutions
 Find opportunities to co-operate with internal and external
parties to improve outcomes for customers
 Maintain relationships with key customers in area of
expertise
 Connect and collaborate with relevant stakeholders within
the community
Adept
 Encourage a culture of recognising the value of
collaboration
 Build co-operation and overcome barriers to information
Manage Self
Relationships
Communicate Effectively
Relationships
Commit to Customer Service
Relationships
Work Collaboratively
Role Description Science Outreach Officer
NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability
Level
Behavioural Indicators
sharing and communication across teams/units
 Share lessons learned across teams/units
 Identify opportunities to work collaboratively with other
teams/ units to solve issues and develop better processes
and approaches to work
Results
Adept
 Take responsibility for delivering on intended outcomes
 Make sure team/unit staff understand expected goals and
acknowledge success
 Identify resource needs and ensure goals are achieved
within budget and deadlines
 Identify changed priorities and ensure allocation of
resources meets new business needs
 Ensure financial implications of changed priorities are
explicit and budgeted for
 Use own expertise and seek others’ expertise to achieve
work outcomes
Adept
 Demonstrate a sound understanding of technology relevant
to the work unit, and identify and select the most
appropriate technology for assigned tasks
 Identify opportunities to use a broad range of
communications technologies to deliver effective
messages
 Understand, act on and monitor compliance with
information and communications security and use policies
 Identify ways to leverage the value of technology to
achieve team/unit outcomes, using the existing technology
of the business
 Support compliance with the records, information and
knowledge management requirements of the organisation
Deliver Results
Business Enablers
Technology
Role Description Science Outreach Officer