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.
Canberra Applications close 21 February
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.
About the team Questacon is a division of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. As Australia's National Science and Technology Centre, we harness imagination and wonderment to make science fun and relevant for all. This is achieved through the Questacon Centre, national programs and digital reach.
Questacon's vision is for Australians to be inspired by science and technology and the opportunities it creates for the future. Questacon's purpose is to create fun interactive learning experiences that stimulate engagement in science and technology.
Our challenge for the next five years is to ensure the relevance of our offer, promote diverse participation in science and technology and reach more young people and those that support them. This will be achieved through our strategic priorities:
- Enhance onsite offer
- Increase nation offer
- Embrace First Nations knowledge
- Maximise impact and influence
- Enhance capability and sustainability
The opportunity You will work with the Questacon Director, providing timely advice and support in collaboration with the Questacon leadership team and executive office. You will work under broad direction with a level of independence, building on your leadership and decision-making capabilities.
In this role you will have the opportunity to connect and coordinate the work of Questacon both internally and inter-departmentally. You will have the opportunity to work with the diplomatic community and support the Questacon Advisory Council.
Our ideal candidate We are seeking a candidate who can demonstrate:
- Excellent judgement.
- Highly developed relationship building and management skills and the capacity to work well with others (including on sensitive matters).
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to prepare clear, concise and influential written materials.
- Initiative and the capacity to work independently to lead initiatives and deliver outcomes with minimal guidance.
- Capacity to think strategically and operate in a fast paced and complex environment.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills and high-level attention to detail.
Questacon is committed to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of remaining an employer of choice. 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 role of the Questacon Executive Officer varies according to the needs of the Questacon Director. You will work under broad direction and exercise a high level of autonomy to provide proactive, responsive and high-quality advice and support. You will be trusted to exercise sound judgement to consider and prioritise issues, scan for and flag risks as they emerge and track the progress of high priority deliverables.
To thrive in this role, you'll be organised and capable of juggling multiple competing priorities. You will work directly with the Questacon executive office staff and leadership team and liaise with departmental executive officers and executive assistant staff. As a role that works closely with Senior Executive, you'll show discretion with sensitive information.
Duties of the role include, but are not limited to:
- Provide advice and support to the Questacon Director on a range of complex matters to support decision making, including priority deliverables and delivery timelines.
- Contribute to Questacon governance supporting the Questacon Advisory Council and support the Director's work for Executive Board, Cabinet, Budget and Senate Estimate processes and preparation. Liaise and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including on behalf of the Director.
- Write and coordinate submissions, briefs and internal communications on behalf of the Questacon Director.
- Prepare and coordinate the agendas and papers for executive and leadership level meetings.
- Manage departmental coordination and briefing requests.
- Lead and mentor the executive support team to deliver high quality outcomes including supporting executive assistants to facilitate clearances and arrange briefing notes.
- Handle sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality and modelling ethical behaviour and practices consistent with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values.
- Other duties as required.
Eligibility Prior to commencing, successful applicants will be required to:
- Undergo a 'Working with Children' Police Check; and
- Obtain or hold a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011.
This position requires Negative Vetting 1 security clearance, and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.
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 does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is ACT - Questacon - Parkes based, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.
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 500 words and should align to the key duties listed above.
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 or 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 Sally D'Addio on or via email on
How to apply: - Start your application by clicking the "begin" button.
By choosing to continue, you agree to the department's privacy policy and declare that you consent to the collection (and subsequent handling) of your personal information for the purpose of this recruitment process and potential employment in the APS.
