About the department
The department plays a key role in the Australian Government’s agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia’s existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID‑19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government’s economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.
About the team
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is Australian Government’s peak authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement.
We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. The APS values exemplify personal drive and integrity, but in addition we also consider that the following values and behaviours of being, adaptable, innovative, accountable, strategic, inclusive and influential are a cornerstone of our organisation. Please consider responding to those values and behaviours as part of your application.
The Legal Metrology Branch primary role is to administer Australia’s measurement legislation, ensuring a level playing field, for consumers, businesses and international trade.
The Trade Measurement Services plays an important role in ensuring Australian consumers and industry can rely on trusted measurements for fair trade in goods and services. To ensure traders comply with the law and adopt correct measurement trading practices, we employ inspectors who check that measuring instruments (for example, weighing instruments, fuel pumps and weighbridges) are accurate throughout Australia, pre-packaged articles contain the correct amount of produce, and that fuel sold in service stations complies with fuel quality standards.
We also support the outcomes of the government agencies, undertaking inspection and audit activities through memoranda of understanding.
Up to seven positions are available, two across Region 1 (Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia) and five across Region 2 (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland).
Our ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate will be self-motivated with a technical aptitude and excellent communication skills. You will be capable of working autonomously and as part of a team with the ability to:
- apply and explain legislation in a regulatory environment, whilst holding a comprehensive knowledge of investigative processes, methods and responsibilities
- lead a team, including the ability to educate and develop others
- influence and negotiate with a wide range of external parties, including delivery of presentations to groups
- write reports that are clear and concise with logical recommendations
- use logic, objective judgment and evidence to make decisions and resolve problems
- monitor emerging issues, identify their impact and develop an effective response
- deliver quality outcomes and to build a team that can do the same.
You will also have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the use and verification of instruments used for measurement, including experience in the testing of a minimum of two categories of complex instruments.
Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way.
What you will do
The successful candidate will undertake work that is of a complex nature, working under limited direction with reasonable autonomy and accountability. You will supervise a team to deliver quality outcomes from Trade Measurement Services functions of NMI.
As the successful applicant you will:
- supervise a geographically dispersed team performing national compliance program plan activities
- support, mentor and coach members of the team to develop their capability, build a positive and productive culture, provide technical assistance and training and facilitate the production of high-quality work
- monitor the performance of the team and ensure adherence to regulatory best practice, safety and representation of the organisation
- complete regular reviews to ensure team activities are completed in accordance with NMI procedures and time expectations
- provide expert support in the investigation of complex cases/escalated matters, and on the interpretation and application of legislation, policies plans and procedures
- demonstrate effective leadership by monitoring the development of work and travel plans for the team, allocate allocating and monitoring workload and work completion
- provide technical advice and information to regional management, State/Territory and local government representatives on regulatory requirements, trends and compliance outcomes
- conduct audits on businesses and on the work of verifiers, licensees and inspectors to ensure compliance, and undertake assessment of business quality systems (qualitative assessments)
- develop and manage relationships with stakeholders, including licensees, equipment owners, businesses and consumers
- provide advice on trade measurement practices, obligations and achieving compliance with regulatory requirements
- assess verifiers’ recognition kits (learning & evidence materials), including conducting skill observations for competency (where applicable)
- maintain the currency of own technical expertise by planning and conducting inspections of businesses and conducting tests of measuring instruments, pre-packaged products and trading practices, with a focus on complex or sensitive matters
- investigate breaches of trade measurement legislation that are of a complex or highly sensitive nature, and where appropriate, gather evidence, undertake interviews and compile enforcement actions
- monitor emerging trends and intelligence and use this to inform strategic direction or operations undertaken by the section
- perform research to identify trends and inform inspection, investigation and compliance action
- contribute to the development and implementation of relevant compliance programs and projects
- be responsible for the work, health and safety of your own and that of team members through undertaking risk assessments, and ensuring periodic equipment and safety inspections are undertaken.
Eligibility
To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.
Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Applicants will be required to possess a current Australian driver’s licence and demonstrate their attainment of:
- Certificate IV in Trade Measurement and Certificate IV in Government Investigations; or
- A qualification that demonstrates appropriate knowledge or experience to be appointed as a Trade Measurement Inspector under section 18MA of the National Measurement Act 1960.
Whilst not mandatory, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, experience in leading a team operating in a regulatory environment and possession of, or capability to quickly obtain, First Aid and CPR certification are highly desirable.
Notes
A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.
The department offers flexible work opportunities for many roles. Regular attendance at one of our offices is expected, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.
The successful applicant will be required to undertake inter and intra-state travel of approximately 8 weeks* [32 nights*] annually, with overnight absences away from home for periods of up to a week at a time. Some out of hours work may also be required.
The successful applicant will gain exposure to a wide variety of business with potential to contain varying workplace environmental hazards. In accordance with activity risk assessments, policy and/or health recommendations associated with some of our activities, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, tetanus and other viral pathogens may be required.
To support the ongoing health and wellbeing of our employees in monitoring effects of varying workplace environmental hazards, the NMI may require the successful applicant undertake periodic health checks to monitor the risk.
* Where the successful applicant resides in a different geographic location from the location of the team, inter- and intra-state travel requirements will increase significantly to ensure appropriate levels of availability and supervision.
How to apply
Please provide a pitch and CV explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 5000 characters (approximately 750 words) and should align to the ‘Our ideal candidate’ and ‘What you will do’ sections. Please also ensure that you address your personal alignment with NMI’s values and behaviours in the ‘About the team’ section.
Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.
Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).
Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact recruitment@industry.gov.au or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.
Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.
Contact Information
For more information on this vacancy, please contact:
Region 1: (Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia) - Tony Blefari via tony.blefari@measurement.gov.au or 0457 548 986.
Region 2: (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland) - Brad Larter via brad.larter@measurement.gov.au or 0457 549 031.
