How to apply

Application for Employment

When you click Apply Now on a job listing, you will be directed to the Application for Employment form. Fill it in and attach your Cover Letter, Resume and Selection Criteria in Microsoft Word or PDF formats. 

Cover Letter

This should be a short and sharp summary of your strengths and achievements. Two or three paragraphs is plenty! 

Resume or CV 

This should include your personal details, relevant work and education history. List any qualifications, training courses attended and professional association memberships.

Include the name, position title and contact number for at least three recent work-related referees. 

These must be people who can comment on your job. When listing your relevant work history, start with your most recent position, include dates/period of employment, duties, responsibilities and achievements for each position.

Selection Criteria

How to create a Selection Criteria document:

1. ​Click on the job listing you are applying for.
2. Click on the Position Description link. A document will open. 
3. Scroll to the Selection Criteria section of the document.
4. Read the Selection Criteria (this is the skills you need to do the job) 
5. Address each Selection Criteria in a separate document. Explain how you have the skills and knowledge required.
6. Ensure the document is formatted properly. This is an example of how it should look.

Note: The Selection Criteria is used to determine which applicant is best able to perform the duties of the position. Applications that do not include the Selection Criteria will not be considered. 

Submit your Application for Employment and supporting documents by 4pm of the closing date stated in the job listing.  We don't normally accept late applications, but there are a couple of exceptions:

1. If you can provide evidence that you sent your application before the closing date and time. 
2. If you requested a deadline extension before the closing date. The interview panel may grant a 24 hour extension at their discretion. 

When your application has been submitted, an acknowledgement message will be displayed on the screen.

You will be contacted if you have been selected to progress to the next stage.  The selection process can take some time. 

The successful applicant will be contacted by a representative of the interview panel to verbally offer the position.  The Human Resource Team will forward a written offer. 

Unsuccessful applications will be notified via email. 

To check the progress of your application, please telephone the person named in the job listing. 

Things that might help

• Read the Position Description - especially the Selection Criteria 
• Think of work situations where you applied relevant skills and knowledge
• Focus on the duties of the position and think about how you would carry them out
• Think about any problems you might encounter and how you would resolve them
• Try to identify examples of your past experience that are similar, or skills that would be transferable to the position you have applied for
• Identify the outcomes and achievements of your examples

Ensure you bring the original certificates and qualifications to your interview. 

The interview

If selected for an interview, you will be contacted to arrange a suitable time to attend. 

Interviews are generally held in a Shire Administration Office with a panel of at least three members. Members will usually be the Director, Manager or Coordinator from the relevant area, a technical representative and an Officer from another work area. 

The interview is structured to achieve the following outcomes:

• Validate that you can perform specific duties and tasks
• Assess whether the behaviours and competencies that you have demonstrated match with those required for the position
• Help the interview panel to assess your overall suitability for the position.

During the interview, panel members will write notes and assess your answers in response to the structured questions.

If you don't understand a question asked during the interview, please ask the panel to clarify.  There will be opportunity at the end of the interview to ask questions you may have about the position, working for the Shire or living in the Harvey Region.

Referee and background checks

If you are shortlisted after the interview, your referees will be contacted.

For some positions it may be necessary to verify information you have provided or undertake certain pre-employment checks. 

All positions at Shire of Harvey require a National Police Check and a Pre-employment Medical Questionnaire.

The successful applicant will be contacted by phone and offered the job.  Human Resources will email a written offer. 

All employment is subject to successfully obtaining a National Police Clearance and  completing a Pre-employment Medical Questionnaire. These will be at the Shire's cost.

For more information, please contact us.