Thank you for your interest in applying for a position in the ACT Planning and Land Authority. The following summaries will help you to submit your application and give you an understanding of the ACT Planning and Land Authority's selection and interview procedures.

Merit principles

Selection for employment is based on merit, which considers the abilities, qualifications, experience, personal qualities and potential for future development of applicants. The merit principle precludes discrimination, patronage or favouritism. Its use aims to ensure the selection process is fair, open and in accordance with workplace diversity principles.

Initial preparation

It is very important to thoroughly read the selection documentation to determine whether you can demonstrate you have the skills, qualifications, experience and personal attributes required. The duty statement describes the tasks and functions of the position. The selection criteria lists the key skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications (if necessary) required to perform the duties. You are encouraged to talk to the contact officer and seek answers to any questions you have about the position or the Authority.

Presentation of application

Applications should be typed or neatly handwritten. It is not necessary to include copies of degrees, diplomas, certificates, academic transcripts and the like. Applications will be removed from folders and plastic pockets before forwarding to the selection committee.

Writing an application

An application should provide sufficient relevant information about your education, work history and experience to allow the selection committee to assess your claims to the position and decide whether you should be selected for interview. An application following the format suggested below will help to ensure that your claims for the position have been presented comprehensively.

Please download the recruitment package. It is mandatory to complete the application form and provide the contact details of two referees. Ideally, one referee should be your current, immediate supervisor. We recommend you advise your referees about applying for a position and if you progress to an interview, provide them with a copy of the selection documentation.

Use the selection criteria as headings and under each one, explain the relevance of your abilities, experience, qualifications and personal qualities. This is the most important part of your application. Concentrate on the quality of the information provided, not quantity. Highlight achievements that demonstrate your claims against each of the criteria.

The STAR model may be used when addressing and presenting selection criteria:

• S: What was the situation? Provide examples of previous situations where you have demonstrated particular skills, knowledge or ability.
• T: What were the tasks involved? Describe the tasks that demonstrated your skills, knowledge and ability.
• A: What action was necessary and taken? Describe how these actions demonstrated your skills, knowledge and ability.
• R: What was the result?

Applications that do not address each of the selection criteria are generally not considered for interview.

Your resume should be an outline of your work history and educational qualifications. Employment history should include dates, positions occupied, name of employer and a brief outline of duties. Employment history should be in chronological order. Don't be too lengthy but give a full picture. Relevant experience is what the selection committee is looking for.

Submitting an application

Your application should be received by the closing date. The preferred method of submission of applications is by email. All documents sent by email must be readable in Microsoft Word format. It is preferred that all parts of your application are appended to the recruitment package so that your email has only a single attachment. Applicants who do not have email can hand-deliver or post their application to the Dickson Customer Service Centre addressed to the attention of the recruitment officer.

The selection committee is not obliged to accept late applications. If you are not able to lodge a full application by the closing date, you should talk to the contact officer to determine whether an expression of interest will be accepted. If late acceptance is agreed, you should provide your application by the date agreed to by the contact officer.

We do not acknowledge receipt of applications. The contact officer given in the advertisement for the position can advise on the progress of the selection process.

Interview procedures

The selection committee will assess all applications in relation to the selection criteria. If you are successful in obtaining an interview, you will be contacted by telephone.

You will be considered available for interview from the date applications close, unless you advise otherwise. Where possible, you will be given three days’ notice of interview. Local applicants will be interviewed in person. Interstate applicants will be brought to Canberra for interview or interviewed by telephone. For telephone interviews, a conference call is used so all selection committee members can talk with the applicant.

Written or oral referee reports may be requested from referees. Referees are asked to comment on each of the selection criteria listed for the position. The selection committee may contact referees by telephone to clarify material in the written reference. If a member of the selection panel is one of your referees, a referee's report must be supplied to the entire panel before the interview process starts.

Selection and feedback

Once the final decision is made and approved, you will be contacted either in writing or by telephone about the outcome. If you are successful, a start date will be discussed and a letter of offer will be made.

All applicants may seek post-interview feedback. A copy of the interview report is available on request.