Administrative Officer

The Role

The successful Administrative Officer will report to the Policy Officer in the Employer Support and Service Protection (ESSP) team, and provide administrative assistance in support of the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act and the Employer Support Payment Scheme. As an APS 5 Administrative Officer, you will be accountable under limited direction to perform and achieve moderately complex procedural, operational and business support work within an integrated workforce.

The duties of the role include but are not limited to the following:

• Perform business-as-usual support activities and tasks that support the delivery of outcomes for ESSP, the ADF Reserves and Employer Support Directorate and across Defence.
• Support the coordination of administrative and business support activities for the ESSP team, including moderately complex policy, procedural, operational, administrative and business support activities, and managing workflow and resources.
• Engage and manage enquiries and situations regarding the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 and the Employer Support Payment Scheme
• Support the research and preparation of briefs, submissions, reports and returns relating to the responsibilities of the team and associated issues.
• Contribute to research and analysis in support of decisions regarding complex issues, long-term planning, policy/legislative review, projects and operational goals relevant to ESSP 

About our Team

The Australian Defence Force Reserves and Employer Support (ADFRES) directorate resides in the Reserve and Cadet Support Division (RCSD) within Military Personnel Organisation (MPO). ADFRES provides direct support to ADF Reserves, their employers and ADF units. The Directorate comprises four teams: Employer Support and Service Protection (ESSP); National Priority and Planning (NPP); Regional Engagement (RE); and Policy and International Engagement (PIE).

The ESSP team is responsible for the facilitation of the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001, which provides protections for both reservists undertaking various forms of Defence service and their civilian employers. The ESSP team is also responsible for the administration of the Employer Support Payment Scheme (ESPS), which provides financial assistance to employers of reservists and to self-employed reservists, when the reservist is absent from their civilian workplace on eligible periods of Defence service.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a self-starter who can work under broad direction and act relatively independently. Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate how they are able to: 

• Quickly develop an understanding of policy, procedural and administrative information and apply the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to resolve issues, provide advice or a service.
• Manage enquiries into issues, including those that may be moderately complex and sensitive.
• Deliver advanced written and verbal communication, analysis and fact-finding skills.
• Consider and effectively manage competing priorities, driving own workload supporting team goals.
• Display sound judgement and the ability to identify and advise on risks.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers