About us 

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

About the role 

The Senior Policy Officer is responsible for coordinating and supporting the development, delivery and input into key policies and practices that relate to emergency management and resilience involving the local government sector. Responsibilities include assisting the Senior Project Manager, Policy with developing the department's local government emergency management systems and frameworks to support the overall preparedness and ability of the department to meet its emergency management obligations.

The Senior Policy Officer works in consultation with stakeholders to provide advice and shape future directions for local government in emergency management. The position also provides input and advice on how best to support local governments before, during and after emergencies. Additional responsibilities of this role include representing LGE at meetings within State emergency management arrangements, and with internal and external stakeholders.

About you 

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate: 

• Experience and knowledge in emergency management and the associated legislation particularly as it relates to local government.
• Policy Skills: Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; keep up to date with a broad range of contemporary issues; scan for links and potential implications of proposed policy options; liaises with stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: Seeks all relevant information for problem-solving; liaises with stakeholders; analyses issues from different perspectives and draws sound inferences from information available; identifies and proposes workable solutions to problems; implements solutions, evaluates effectiveness and adjusts actions as required.
• Stakeholder Management: Identifies issues in common for one or more stakeholders and uses to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved; find innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues.
• Influence & Negotiation: Gains agreement to proposals and ideas; builds behind- the- scenes support for ideas to ensure buy-in and ownership; uses chains of indirect influence to achieve outcomes; involves experts or other third parties to strengthen a case.
• Written communication: Prepares complex briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used.

Other requirements

• Current Driver Licence (Mandatory)
• May be requested to have flexibility regarding start and finish times (albeit the specific nature of this will be subject to individual discussion and will aim to balance work and personal needs)
• May be required to be contactable and available for recall to duty within a reasonable timeframe on a 24/7 roster basis in the event of a significant emergency or business disruption.
• May be required to undertake nominated duties to support emergency coordination responsibilities during significant emergencies or security incidents including supporting the department with its emergency management accountabilities, including at the State Control Centre.
• May be required to support or perform the role of State Duty Officer (after appropriate training), which gathers, assesses and escalates emergency related information reported by portfolios and agencies including participating on a roster that provides 24/7 service to the department.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description. 

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia. 

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday, 8th Spetember 2024. All applications should include: 

• a resume; and 
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages) 

In accordance with the Jobs and Skills Exchange Policy, Victorian Public Service employees are required to apply via the JSE for primary consideration access. 

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.  

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check. 

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.