Program Officer (First Nations Affirmative Measures)

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

The National Touring Programs team at Questacon delivers activities about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). These roles are based in Canberra, but will involve regular travel across Australia, often for several weeks at a time. We focus on underserved communities, with most of our tours taking place in regional and remote Australia.

Activities include:

• Questacon Science Circus primary-school science shows: Fun performances for students showcasing science in the world around them.
• Pop-up science centres: Bringing hands-on exhibits and spectacular science shows to regional communities.
• Virtual excursions and webinars: Live videoconference sessions where students are supported to perform activities and experiments in their classroom or at home.

The opportunity

Do you have a flair for the dramatic, or can you not stop talking about science? See Australia like you never have before as you travel to deliver engaging STEM activities in under-served communities.

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have the motivation and capacity to travel for prolonged periods in regional and remote Australia, including extensive driving.
• Have qualifications or relevant expertise in STEM, education, theatre or related fields.
• Have demonstrated experience delivering one or more of the following:
  • Science demonstrations or shows.
  • Performances for young people.
  • Live video conference workshops, presentations, or activities.
  • Activity-based workshop facilitation.
• Be an effective communicator who can tailor their presentation style to meet their audience’s needs.
• Be able to work proactively as an individual and collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Work positively and productively in a changing work environment on tour.
• Identify and mitigate risks that will impact work outcomes, WHS and child safety.

What you will do

Working consistently with the expectations for an APS Level 4 in the APS Work Level Standards, Program Delivery Officers will:

• Travel to regional and remote areas for 2-4 weeks at a time to deliver high-quality STEM programs for a variety of audiences.
• Support the logistics and preparation required for touring to regional and remote locations, as well as conducting other online or local delivery activities.
• Set-up and deliver pop-up science centres, from unpacking the truck to facilitating exhibits.
• Assist with the development, testing and evaluation of new content, activities and delivery methods.
• Have strong organisational and time management skills, with an ability to use initiative and work under minimal supervision.
• Provide open communication to all team members, including giving and receiving feedback and effectively contributing as part of a team.

Eligibility

Candidates must:

• hold a full or P2 drivers licence (and have held a non-learner licence for 12 months before commencing)
• be able to gain and maintain an ACT Working With Vulnerable People registration
• be able to gain and maintain equivalent registration in other Australian states and territories
• pass a national police check
• be able to gain a basic First Aid Certificate
• travel in small teams for 2-4 weeks at a time, up to a maximum of 24 weeks per year.

Applicants applying under this Affirmative Measures round will need to provide evidence they meet the eligibility for this vacancy should they be found suitable prior to being made a formal offer of employment.

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and
• Are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Evidence of confirmation of heritage include:

• A letter signed and executed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation confirming that they are recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; or
• Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent form executed by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation.

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.

Notes

This is an Affirmative Measures round and only available to First Nations applicants. Non-First Nations applicants can apply to a different round for a program officer position here.

The department has an active Indigenous Employee Network (IEN). For all staff who identify as a First Nations person it offers:

• peer support while creating a culturally safe space
• networking and professional development

The Diversity Networks create a workplace culture where all employees are all valued and respected for their contribution.

The Inclusion team and People branch organise the departments:

• Cultural competency
• Indigenous development pathway program
• Jawun secondment program.

The department has commenced development of the organisation's next Reconciliation Action Plan.

The department offers cultural leave in the form of access to up to 5 days of paid leave per year. You can use this to participate in ceremonial and cultural obligations, including NAIDOC activities.

The department pays for all accommodation and travel expenses during touring periods.

On tour, the team delivers some programs on weekends and public holidays to engage the whole community, and in these instances overtime rates apply.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is ACT (Questacon: Deakin) based and primarily requires in-person participation due to the nature of the work. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

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.

Application information

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 provide a pitch 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 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

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 [email protected] 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 regarding this opportunity, please contact Matthew Dunn on 0437940455 or via email on [email protected]