Guide for Job Applicants
Thank you for considering applying for a position at Wollondilly Shire Council.
The following document provides important information to assist you in preparing and submitting your application.
1. Selection Process
Appointment to Wollondilly Shire Council is based on merit.
The merit of the persons eligible for appointment to a position is to be determined according to:
1.1 The nature of the duties of the position; and
1.2 The abilities, qualifications, experience and standard of work performance of those persons relevant to those duties.
Merit is assessed through the selection process, which comprises of the formal application, the applicant’s performance at interview, any assessment tools (eg. a written exercise) and referee reports. Using these tools, an assessment is made of each candidate’s claims against the selection criteria in the context of the job description.
In addition, there are a number of other processes that applicants will need to fulfil prior to a decision being made to recommend an applicant for employment:
1.1 Satisfactory evidence of required qualifications;
1.2 Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment health assessment;
1.3 Satisfactory work related reference checks;
1.4 Satisfactory completion of the Working With Children Check (where the position is child-related); and
1.5 Satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s right to work in Australia, as required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
2. Writing your Application
Your application should be typed and should comprise of three (3) parts.
2.1 Covering letter indicating the position to which you are applying for at Wollondilly Shire Council;
2.2 Claims against the Selection Criteria; and
2.3 A Resume which has a history of your employment and work experience and should cover the following areas:
2.3.1 Your employment history in chronological order, starting with your current employment. It should detail the main positions you have held, including dates of employment, capacity in which you were employed and a brief outline of the main duties.
2.3.2 You relevant educational qualifications and professional affiliations. Copies of your academic qualifications must be attached. You will be required to provide originals of your qualifications at interview.
2.3.3 Details of relevant training courses attended and/or development programs you have participated in.
2.3.4 The name and contact number of at least two (2) work-related referees. Make sure your referees are aware that you are applying for a position with Wollondilly Shire Council so they are prepared if they are contacted.
All applicants must include in their application the following statements:
I certify that all answers and statements on this application and any attachments thereto are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
I certify that all medical particulars will be provided to Wollondilly Shire Council by way of a pre-employment health assessment should my application be successful.
I understand that should I provide untruthful or misleading information, this application may be rejected or my employment with Wollondilly Shire Council be subsequently terminated.
Signature………………………… Date………………………………..
3. Submitting your Application
You can forward your completed application to Wollondilly Shire Council in a number of ways:
3.1 By email to .
3.2 By fax to (02) 4677 2339.
3.3 By mail to:
The Manager Executive Services
Wollondilly Shire Council
PO Box 21
PICTON NSW 2571
3.4 Hand deliver to:
Wollondilly Shire Council
62-64 Menangle Street
PICTON NSW 2571
All applications must be received by the closing date and time as those not received on time will not be considered
4. The Interview
If selected for an interview you will be formally contacted by phone and sent a letter in the mail with the location, date and time of the interview.
In the interview you will be given the opportunity to expand on your claims against the selection criteria as outlined in your written application.
The interview is a two way communication process. The selection panel will be determining how well you meet the job requirements, and you should be determining how well the job meets your requirements for such things as development opportunities and working conditions.
If the position requires educational qualifications and/or a Driver’s Licence you should bring the original documents to the interview to show the selection panel.
After the interview process has been carried out and if you are a preferred candidate, Council will carry out a minimum of two (2) work related reference checks and you will be required to undertake a pre-employment health assessment with a Doctor of your choice but at Council’s expense.
5. Pre-Employment Health Assessment
A pre-employment health assessment is another part of the overall selection process. It is carried out to ensure that you are medically fit to perform the requirements of the position.
Pre-employment health assessments can be carried out by a Doctor of your choice but at Council’s expense.
6. Work Related Reference Checks
Wollondilly Shire Council will carry out work related reference checks on a minimum of two listed referees. You should inform your referees that you have applied for a position within Council so they are prepared if they are contacted. False or misleading information may result in any offer of employment being withdrawn or your employment with Wollondilly Shire Council being terminated.
7. Working with Children Checks
Under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998, Council is required to screen all recommended applicants for child-related employment. If you make the interview stage for such a position you will be required to complete the relevant forms giving consent for Council to carry out these checks.
Until these forms have been completed, and Council has received the result of the Working With Children Check, you cannot be considered for a child-related position at Wollondilly Shire Council.
8. Right to Work in Australia
Wollondilly Shire Council must ensure that you, as a prospective employee, are entitled to undertake employment in Australia in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
You must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident, or a temporary resident with permission to work.
If you are a recommended applicant for employment with Wollondilly Shire Council, you will need to show an original of one or more of the following documents:
8.1 Australian Birth Certificate;
8.2 Australian Passport;
8.3 Citizenship Certificate;
8.4 Appropriate visa label; or
8.5 Photo identification.
9. Offer of Employment
Once the above steps have been carried out a final decision will be made on the successful applicant. The successful applicant will be contacted to negotiate a salary within the salary range of the position being offered and a commencement date.
Once agreement has been reached by both the applicant and Council a letter of offer will be sent with the title of the position being offered and details of the salary and commencement date.
Once the applicant receives the letter of offer, Council will then require an acceptance letter from the successful applicant to finalise the Recruitment and Selection process.
10. Local Government Industry Standards
If you are successful in your application for employment with Wollondilly Shire Council you must be aware of the following:-
10.1 Duty of Disclosure (Designated positions only)
On commencement with Wollondilly Shire Council a disclosure of interest in written returns must be completed which will require you to disclose items such as where you live, what properties you own, memberships of various organisations and non-related banking debts etc. Under the Local Government Act 1993 and the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 it is a requirement that this information be publicly available.
10.2 Wollondilly Shire Council’s Code of Conduct
You must comply with Council’s Code of Conduct at all times. Council’s Code of Conduct sets out guidelines and expectations of how you conduct yourself in all facets of Council’s activities.
10.3 Secondary Employment
If you have secondary employment you are required to seek the approval of the General Manager to continue in that employment.
Guide for Job Applicants - Trim 853#51 Page 1 of 5