EL1 | Assistant Directors| Communications Infrastructure Division

Full job description
Contact Officer:


Amanda Robinbson on 02 6136 65+7 |
Amanda.Robinson@INFRASTRUCTURE.gov.au



Closing Date:


11.5+pm AEST, Tuesday 3 September 2024



Our Department Values
Our values set the direction for what it means to work in our department. They inform the standard and expectations of behaviours, skills and capabilities and the attributes we currently have, will continually work to achieve and develop, and that we use to acknowledge and attract, retain and recruit into our department.



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 women’s progression into senior leadership.


A little bit about us



Communications Infrastructure Division (CID)



Recent natural disasters including COVID-1+, have shown how critical Australia’s telco sector is to Australia’s economy and society. Communications infrastructure like the NBN and 5G have helped Australians use digital tech to work remotely, learn online, and connect with services such as telehealth. CID is at the center of developing policy on telco issues, including leading on advice to the Australian Government on how to make sure all Australians realise the benefits of digital technologies.



But that is just the business as usual role of the division. On any given day, CID staff provide advice to government on satellite and space radiocommunications and submarine cables; brief the Minister on the NBN (including on matters concerning their role as a shareholder minister); prepare advice on the security implications of the next generation of mobile connectivity or a data breach; explore issues relating to digital inclusion, including in the context of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap for First Nations communities; as well as a range of other interesting and important functions.


The opportunity we have available



Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Are you looking for a policy advisor or program officer role? The communications infrastructure division is looking for you! We have several EL1 vacancies across different sections of our division.


Are you excited to improve policy and legislation surrounding Australia’s telecommunications sector, including shaping the next stage of the nation’s broadband? You could assist with the development and review of policy advice on a range of issues in this sector including drafting policy papers, cabinet submissions and drafting instructions.
Are you interested in supporting the security and resilience of Australia’s telecommunications sector, leading initiatives to strengthen the sector’s capability to withstand cyber threats and natural disasters?
Are you interested in shaping a more modern universal service framework to support both delivery of and funding of voice and broadband services on an equitable basis? If so, you’ll have opportunities to consider emerging technologies, changing consumer expectations and work on issues that have a real, direct impact on people’s lives right across Australia, especially those in regional and remote areas.
Are you passionate about addressing the digital divide in Australia, particularly for First Nations communities? Then supporting the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group and contributing policy advice on Closing the Gap initiatives might be for you. You’ll be providing stakeholder engagement, research, analysis and advice on issues relevant to digital inclusion and accessibility. We welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people.
Are you excited by the idea of ensuring Australia’s spectrum, a finite resource, is managed and allocated to support the long-term public interest, including for innovative technologies and public safety purposes or negotiating in international forums to improve international radiocommunications frameworks? You’ll be engaging with a broad range of stakeholders, domestic and international, and providing strategic advice to the Minister and senior executive.

Still not sure? Our workdays are dynamic and diverse, and we have a great mix of reactive and exciting tasks, as well as some longer term and innovative thinking. You can expect other opportunities to flex your skill set and develop new skills to arise also! Please get in touch with the contact officer for more examples of the work you would be doing our roles.



Our positions will involve building relationships with industry and government stakeholders, including telecommunications companies, regulators and ombudsmen, both in Australia and overseas. Worried you haven’t got the qualifications or technical experience for the role? We’ve got lots to share and draw upon, so please apply anyway, or reach out to the contact officer to discuss it further.


Who are we looking for?



To be a successful applicant you should demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in the following areas:


Your strong constructive thinking, writing and problem-solving skills.

How you apply conceptual and analytical skills creatively.

An aptitude for tackling wicked problems, innovative thinking, understanding market dynamics and designing changes to improve them.

Strong organisational skills.

How you successfully lead and manage teams and influence workplace culture.
Good relationship management and negotiation skills.
The ability to deliver projects on time and on budget.

We welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people.



We look forward to hearing from you and are excited to continuing to develop and expand your skills and help progress your future career goals.


Workplace culture



“The Division’s approach to flexible working arrangements allows me to be the assistant to the coach of my child’s soccer team on a Thursday afternoon” - SES B1 officer.



“Sometimes who you work with is the most important thing” - EL1 officer, Telecommunications Resilience Branch.



“…the Branch is the focal point of spectrum policy for the whole country. I found this more engaging (than other opportunities)…and it also helps make my work feel more impactful.” - says an APS officer who started his career in the public service as a grad in what was now known as the Competition Spectrum Branch and is still with us years later.



“The ability to access flexible work has enabled me to increase my hours and still pick up my kids from school. And while it’s good for me, it’s a win-win for my team too.” - APS officer, Telecommunications Resilience Branch.



“Choosing to come back to the branch after a secondment was partly familiarity with the content, familiarity with the people and the chance to get stuck back into the busyness of a policy line area that has continued to interest me since the early days.” – Broadband Emergency Communications Branch member.



CID is not just a dynamic workplace, it is also a leading workplace for flexible working arrangements. Managers work with staff to structure a work week that works for both the employee and their team. It has an inclusive and enjoyable workplace culture, with the division’s weekly playlist, trivia, the cake shrine and senior executives who ‘walk the talk’, as just a few examples of the things that make CID stand out.



Still not sure? Our workdays are dynamic and diverse, and we have a great mix of reactive and exciting tasks, as well as some longer term and innovative thinking. You can expect other opportunities to flex your skill set and develop new skills to arise also! Please get in touch with the contact officer for more examples of the work you would be doing our roles.



Our positions will involve building relationships with industry and government stakeholders, including telecommunications companies, regulators and ombudsmen, both in Australia and overseas. Worried you haven’t got the qualifications or technical experience for the role? We’ve got lots to share and draw upon, so please apply anyway, or reach out to the contact officer to discuss it further.

What else can we offer?


Exposure to high profile and exciting projects

Networking opportunities across the department and wider APS

Capability development opportunities focused on your individual career goals

Mentoring and access to the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme

Flexible working arrangements, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing

Support for women’s progression into senior leadership


We look forward to hearing from you and are excited to continuing to develop and expand your skills and help progress your future career goals.


Eligibility requirements


Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1+++ including:


Citizenship: To be eligible for employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts applicants must be an Australian citizen.

Health Assessment: The preferred applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.

Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline, NV1 or NV2 Level (depending on which Section/Branch you have been assigned). 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.


How to apply



Applications for this opportunity close at 11.5+pm AEST, Tuesday 3 September 2024.



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



Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job. 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.



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



If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6274 6161 or via email at recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au 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 DiversityandInclusion@infrastructure.gov.au



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