APS6 - FOI Case Officer Integrity 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 Integrity Branch is seeking to fill 2 positions for the role of FOI Case Officer for the Freedom of Information Section. The FOI Case Officers will manage multiple FOI requests and provide technical support and advice to a range of stakeholders.

Integrity Branch takes the lead in improving the departments integrity capability and capacity to ensure we have a pro-integrity culture and are meeting all relevant governance and assurance requirements. There are 5 teams in the branch:

• Freedom of Information (FOI) ensures that the department meets its obligations under the FOI Act.
• Audit develops and delivers a risk-based Audit Work Program and oversees the delivery of audits.
• Integrity and Investigations develops and maintains key integrity and Fraud and Corruption frameworks strategies policies and procedures including the Fraud Control Plan and Integrity Strategy Framework and Action Plan.
• Risk and Privacy maintains the Departments Risk Management Policy and Framework manages the departments Child Safety Policy coordinates the departments Comcover insurance arrangements manages Privacy complaints and data breaches and maintains the departments delegations and authorisations.
• Legislation Liaison Unit manages the departments participation in primary and secondary legislative bid processes

What will you do

We are looking for high performing candidates with either recent experience in processing FOI requests a legal background or experience in the management of complex cases within a legislative framework.

As an APS6 FOI Case Officer you will be responsible for:

• Managing complex FOI requests including liaison with and provision of support and advice to FOI Decision Makers and Action Officers throughout the department.

• Managing routine Internal Reviews and where required providing assistance in complex Internal Reviews and external reviews with the Information Commissioner and the ART.

• Building and maintaining professional working relationships with key stakeholders across the portfolio to progress FOI requests.

• Monitoring progress of cases and ensuring compliance with statutory timeframes including managing extensions of time as required liaising with departmental Decision Makers and Action Officers and escalating outstanding actions as appropriate.

• Where necessary undertake and manage communications with FOI applicants to clarify and revise the scope of requests to ensure they meet FOI Act requirements.

• Preparing correspondence to FOI Applicants and internal stakeholders and drafting decisions on access under FOI legislation for consideration by Decision Makers.

• Issuing final decisions to FOI Applicants and where necessary Affected Third Parties and facilitating the release of documents including their publication on the FOI Disclosure Log.

• Entering and maintaining data into departmental systems to ensure accurate record keeping.

• Liaising with external stakeholders including other state and Commonwealth agencies and the Office of the Information Commissioner (OAIC) including undertaking and managing formal consultations with Affected Third Parties and information interagency consultations.

• Researching legislation as required.

• Providing support and training to junior staff in the team as required.

Who are we looking for

The successful candidates for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS6 Work level standards. This will include being dynamic and respectful having integrity valuing others and empowering people by:

• Supporting strategic direction: supporting shared purpose and direction by promoting the departments vision linking goals to operational tasks and clearly communicating objectives thinking strategically by understanding the environment setting team goals and anticipating broader trends and long term impacts harnessing information and opportunities by gathering diverse insights analysing their relevance staying well-informed and seeking best practice demonstrating good judgement intelligence and common sense through objective evidence based analysis problem solving and promoting innovative work improvements.

• Achieving Results: effectively managing resources by reviewing performance leveraging team strengths negotiating responsibilities and adapting to changes applying and developing professional expertise by valuing specialist knowledge utilising organisational skills and contributing personal expertise responding positively to change through clear planning flexibility open communication and supporting others adaptation taking full responsibility for projects by ensuring completion monitoring progress adjusting plans committing to quality maintaining documentation and seeking feedback where appropriate.

• Supporting productive working relationships: building and nurturing strong stakeholder relationships by proactively supporting and anticipating stakeholder needs actively listening to understand and involve others valuing diverse perspectives and working styles and fostering respect and inclusivity supporting team development by identifying learning opportunities delegating tasks effectively setting clear expectations providing timely recognition and constructive feedback and where staff supervision is relevant promptly addressing underperformance.

• Displaying personal drive and integrity: demonstrating professionalism and integrity by following the APS values providing honest advice managing risks and effectively representing the department using initiative and taking responsibility to achieve goals maintaining resilience under pressure and committing to self-awareness and continuous personal development.

• Communicating with influence: communicating confidently and clearly by focusing on key points using precise language and selecting the best medium to ensure messages are concise and understood actively listening and adapting communication by understanding the audience appropriately tailoring messages confirming others views and addressing misunderstandings promptly negotiating confidently with a clear grasp of key issues and outcomes anticipating stakeholder expectations presenting persuasive arguments and gaining relevant support.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Either FOI experience alegal background or experience applying legislative principles to complex caseloads is a necessity for this role.
• Effective people management skills
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner

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:

• Exposure to high profile and interesting projects with networking opportunities across the breadth of the Departments work in the major infrastructure transport communications sport and arts sectors supporting our regions cities and territories and across the wider APS FOI Community.
• Development of skills in the FOI landscape which are of value across the APS both in the Commonwealth and in state and territory governments.
• Improve your leadership skills through the departments Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities including part time hours and home-based work.

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 Level. 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.