DPS Library Temporary Employment Register 2023/2024

About the Department of Parliamentary Services

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) supports the functions of the Australian Parliament and the work of Parliamentarians through the provision of professional services, advice and facilities, and the ongoing maintenance of Australian Parliament House (APH). Employing over 1,000 people, DPS works to deliver a diverse range of services including: security, reporting and broadcasting, library research, catering, visitor experience, art collections, building design integrity, Hansard, information technology and maintenance. The Department also has corporate and administrative functions including Human Resources, to support a growing diverse workforce.

The Parliamentary Library Temporary Employment Register

This register is designed to establish a database of appropriately skilled and experienced individuals, who may, at short notice, be further assessed to fill temporary non-ongoing positions for up to 18 months. Non-ongoing (temporary) employment opportunities may be offered on a full time, part time or intermittent / irregular (casual) basis.

You will only be contacted regarding your application if a vacancy arises that matches your skills and experience. There is no guarantee that an offer of employment will be made whilst your application remains on the register. This register covers library and research roles within the Parliamentary Library, for systems and projects jobs in the Parliamentary Library, look . 

Roles within the Parliamentary Library

Since its establishment in 1901, the Parliamentary Library has served as a trusted source of information, analysis and advice for the Australian Parliament. The Library's services are confidential, impartial, and offered on an equal basis to all parliamentarians, parliamentary committees, and to staff acting on their behalf.

The Parliamentary Library provides access to books, journals and newspapers, comprehensive media monitoring and specialist Parliamentary Library is also one of Australia's major research libraries, providing tailored, confidential briefings and statistics to parliamentarians, parliamentary committees, and staff acting on their behalf. Expert researchers provide independent analysis of Bills before Parliament and publish quick guides, chronologies and in-depth research publications on issues before Parliament. The Parliamentary Library also maps a range of data including election and census results.

From time to time positions are available in the following areas:

Research Branch

The Research Branch has 8 sections covering economic policy; foreign affairs, defence and security; law; politics and public administration; science, technology, environment and resources; social policy; statistics and mapping; and a generalist research coordination unit.

PSL2-5

Candidates will be expected to either provide administrative support to information and research staff and the director of the section, or undertake research activities (including identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources). You will also perform writing, advisory, information management and dissemination tasks, including the preparation of reports, information products, publications and papers.

PSL6-PEL2

Candidates will be expected to undertake high quality professional, specialist and technical research on complex issues (including identifying, retrieving, analysing and synthesing information from diverse sources). You will provide analysis and advice to clients, research papers and information resources on the subject areas covered by the section to inform parliamentary clients and other stakeholders while maintaining the Library's high standards of scholarship and integrity. You should have excellent skills in research and writing, communicating, client service, with academic qualifications and experience in relevant fields. Qualifications in librarianship/information sciences are also advantageous but not essential.

Library Publishing Unit:

PSL4-6

Candidates will be expected to develop and maintain web and mobile initiatives for the Parliamentary Library, as well as publish online research papers, bills digests, blog posts, infographics and special publications using the Sitecore Content Management System. You will also assist with graphic design and layout for promotional material, print publications and social media posts. You will actively develop effective working relationships across the Library, have close attention to detail and demonstrate a strong customer focus. Qualifications and/or experience in web publishing and graphic design are highly desirable.

Central Enquiry Point

PSL3-6

Candidates will be expected to work at the Central Enquiry Point (CEP) where there are two client-facing roles: Library Officer (similar to a library technician) and Librarian. The Library Officers staff the front desk, providing circulation, interlibrary loan, collection management and digitisation services. They should be familiar with library management systems and bibliographic records. The Client Services Librarian allocates client requests to researchers, answers ready reference requests, trains and rosters staff on the CEP, and acts for the CEP Director as needed. Both roles require excellent customer service and communication skills. Qualifications in library studies/information sciences are essential for the Librarian. A library technician qualification (or equivalent) is highly desirable for Library Officers.

Library Collections and Databases Branch

PSL2-5

Candidates will be expected to undertake the day-to-day activities related to acquisition, description, maintenance and development of library collections, both print and electronic. In Library Databases you will contribute to our digital repository through adding content and maintaining metadata. Skills in digitisation, digital collection development, and metadata editing, as well as strong computer literacy, will be highly regarded. In Collection Management you are expected to undertake activities to maintain the library collection, such as shelving, processing invoices and new acquisitions, or creating or amending bibliographic metadata. Vocational or professional degree qualifications in the library and information studies field are desirable.

PSL6-PEL2

Candidates will be expected to carry out the day-to-day management of the library collections by supervising teams and processes. You will undertake management activities related to procurement, contracts, projects, systems, finance, personnel, and stakeholder engagement. You will represent the Library in forums across the parliamentary departments, provide strategic advice to the Assistant Secretary and Parliamentary Librarian, and assist in the development of policy around the Library’s collecting activities and services. Professional degree qualifications in library and information studies, or qualifications in project management and/or information technology are essential.

Conditions of employment

Employment opportunities at the Department of Parliamentary Services is subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, you must be an Australian citizen. 

Security clearance and character clearance – if selected, you will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.

How to apply

Applicants are invited to register their interest by completing the online application form. Please ensure you nominate your Temporary Employment Register ‘Area of Interest/s’ and ‘Classification’. You will be required to upload a current resume and provide a 300 word pitch stating why you are interested in working in the Parliamentary Library and what skills and experience you can bring to the department.

Classification

Parliamentary Service Level (PSL) positions are similar to Australian Public Service (APS) positions. 

Parliamentary Executive Level (PEL) positions are similar to Australian Public Service Executive Level (EL) positions. 

Closing date

The Parliamentary Library Temporary Employment Register will remain active for 12 months, closing 11:30pm Sunday, 30 June 2024 . After this time you will need to renew your registration by re-applying.

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