EL1 - Assistant Director Conduct and Performance People Branch

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples people with disability people with cultural and linguistic diversity and LGBTQIA people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and in particular supporting womens progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available

The Conduct and Performance team is a small collaborative and high performing team responsible for innovating designing and implementing the departments people performance and conduct strategies. The team coaches and supports our people leaders and management through performance and/or behavioural cases. Team members also conduct preliminary assessments APS Code of Conduct investigations and review of actions. As a learning organisation subject matter experts within the team also design and deliver targeted training courses.

What will you do

You will contribute to departments people performance and conduct strategies promoting innovation and best practice while ensuring Australian Government policy advice is applied.

This role is varied and dynamic typically including the following duties:

• Lead a small team of subject matter experts who build and maintaining a strong and effective partnership with all clients and stakeholders to deliver pragmatic and timely advice support and coaching.
• Design and implement performance and behavioural strategies for the department ensuring best practice and compliance with relevant legalisation APS policy and departmental practices.
• Undertake or facilitate APS Code of Conduct investigations preliminary assessments including preparation of briefings reports reviews and assessments.
• Build a performance culture within the department and support people leaders lift performance and capability including guiding parties through relevant policies and process.
• Manage data and reporting for the team to support evidence-based decision making.
• Prepare and present training targeted training programs for management and employees on a range of matters including but not limited to respect at work performance and behaviour including the APS Code of Conduct and Values.
• Contribute to projects to assist the section to meet Branch priorities as required.

Who are we looking for

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 1 Work level standards.

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate your ability to:

• Achieve results and quality outcomes by showing initiative and leadership working in a small team delivering multiple activities at any given time often within tight timeframes.
• Communicate effectively both written and verbal delivering information in a variety of formats for a range of audiences.
• Collaborate across diverse teams using your exceptional interpersonal and engagement skills to engage with senior leaders and a wide variety of stakeholders valuing different perspectives contributions and backgrounds.
• Have a growth mindset with a willingness to continue to learn develop and foster an environment for team members to do the same.
• Think strategically evaluating complex information from a variety of sources to make connections and sound decisions while exercising good judgement.

Human resource qualifications and /or a certificate in investigations is desirable but candidates with extensive work experience are welcome to apply.

We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Applicants must demonstrate substantial work experience in a comparable role.
• Achieve results and quality outcomes by showing initiative and leadership working in a small team delivering multiple activities at any given time often within tight timeframes.
• Communicate effectively both written and verbal delivering information in a variety of formats for a range of audiences.
• Think strategically evaluating complex information from a variety of sources to make connections and sound decisions while exercising good judgement.

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found atRecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development empowering individuals to set goals acquire new skills and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities and a positive performance culture we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills through the departments Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities including part time hours home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year with one months accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee) plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth fulfillment and well-being. Experience personal and professional development prioritise your health and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure Transport Regional Development Communications Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the departments preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Vetting Clearance. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia or have a checkable background for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: Monday 12 January 2026

Applications close: Monday 26 January 2026

Application shortlisting: Week starting 2 February 2026

Further assessments: Week starting 9 February 2026

Selection report finalised: Week starting 23 February 2026

Offers and announcements: Week starting 2 March 2026

The above is indicative only please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted you may be asked to undertake further assessment this may include work sample testing interviews and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT Monday 26 January 2026.

In applying for this position you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather you should provide a statement of no more than 2 (two) A4 pages in PDF outlining your background capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role. You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF no more than 3 (three) A4 pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the Who are we looking for section.

Your application should be received through the departments online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team onor via email at to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information please email

Work with us. Apply now!