Applying for a role

Your application must include:

• a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience
• your responses to the capabilities, as requested in the advertisement
• your CV, with contact details for 3 current referees
• a completed and signed Pre-Employment Declaration Form (PDF 322.1 KB).

Capabilities in the role description

To make sure your application can be assessed against the criteria, you need to:

1. Address each capability, unless stated otherwise in the advertisement.
2. Give evidence showing you have the skills and experience for the role.
3. Give examples of times you have demonstrated that capability.

Use the CARE model to provide clear, structured responses. This can also be used to prepare for an interview. You should outline the following for each of the capabilities:

• Context – the situation
• Actions – what you did
• Results – what was achieved
• Evaluation – what you learned.

When presenting your responses, remember to talk about your experiences and achievements. Use the word ‘I’ when identifying responsibility and outcomes. If you were part of a team, explain your role in the team.

Writing your application

We recommend contacting the enquiries officer listed in the advertisement if you have questions about the role. Make sure your application is well written, covering the following:

1. Be well informed by researching the role and the department.
2. Explain why you are the best fit for this specific job, including how you would contribute to PIRSA's objectives and uphold our values.
3. Check your application for spelling and grammatical errors. This is critical if written communication skills are a capability – the selection panel will treat your application as an example of this skill.
4. Ask someone else to proofread your application and check that you’ve addressed each capability.
5. Follow the advertisement directions about the length of your application and any guidelines specific to the role.

Assessment process

After you submit your application online, we will send you a letter of acknowledgment. The selection panel will then assess applications and short-list applicants, who will be invited to an interview.

Following all interviews, the panel will give their recommendation to the executive director for approval. Timeframes for the selection process can vary and may take up to 6 weeks. We will notify all applicants of the outcome.

If you would like to receive feedback about your application, please contact the panel chairperson.

All applications are confidential. This includes any contact made with your referees.

Work, health and safety obligations

Employees at PIRSA are required to acknowledge our work, health and safety obligations. All employees must follow workplace safety procedures by:

• accepting responsibility for own and other’s safety
• actively participating in consultation about work, health and safety issues
• identifying and reporting hazards and identifying risk controls where appropriate.

Our expectations

Employees at PIRSA must acknowledge our expectations, as follows:

• you uphold the ethical behaviour and professional integrity standards as contained in the Public Sector Act 2009
• you familiarise yourself with the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector and ensure that you follow it
• you actively participate in PIRSA’s Performance Management and Development Program
• you may be assigned alternative duties consistent with PIRSA’s business needs or the developmental needs arising from your performance review conversations
• you contribute to whole-of-agency working groups developing PIRSA policy responses to significant and emerging issues as required
• you undertake training and participation in emergency management activities as required
• you implement and maintain security in line with whole-of-government and agency policies
• you adhere to the PIRSA Smoke Free Policy.