APPLICATION GUIDE
Thank you for your interest in applying for a position with Cessnock City Council. Cessnock City Council is
an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and applies ‘Merit Based Selection Techniques’ to
ensure that the best person for the position is selected. Please read this information carefully as it will help
you to understand Cessnock City Council's selection process and how to prepare your application.
Council will treat your application and the information you have provided in the strictest confidence with
only those staff involved in the recruitment process accessing the application information.
POSITION DESCRIPTION & SELECTION CRITERIA
A position description for the vacancy can be found on the relevant advertisement page on Council’s
website. The position description details the primary purpose of the position and its key accountabilities.
Developed from the position requirements is selection criteria based on essential and desirable criteria.
The selection criteria details the key qualifications, training, experience, skills, abilities and knowledge
required to successfully undertake the position.
Merit Based Selection principles mean council can only progress the applicants who meet all essential
criteria to the required level. This means that although you provide an appropriate response to majority of
the criteria, if you do not meet one of the essential criteria to the required level, council will be unable to
progress your application. Where a recruitment is highly competitive, Council may also require an
applicant to meet all highly desirable criteria to the expected level.
APPLICATIONS
It is important that you provide sufficient detail to enable the panel to assess your initial suitability against
the criteria and relative to other applicants. Write your application so that the panel can understand how
your qualifications, training, experience, skills, abilities and knowledge relate to the selection criteria.
Your application should include;
1.Cessnock City Council Job Application Form (Required)
Please ensure you complete all the information required on the form, including a contact phone
number which is best for you to be contacted through the day as applicants shortlisted for interview
are contacted by phone.
Council requires at least two recent referees who can comment on your work performance and
work history. Your referees must be people who have supervised your work. In submitting this
application you are providing authority for Council to contact your referees. In cases where you do
not want your current employer to be aware of your application and cannot provide a current
supervisors name, please make a note of this on your application form. In certain circumstances
Council may require a current supervisor as a referee, however, contact will be made with you if
this is required.
2.Resume (Required)
Your resume should include a summary of your employment history, detailing where you have
worked, the positions held, period of employment and brief details about the duties performed.
Your resume should also include a summary of your education, training, qualifications and
certificates relevant to the position.
3.Selection Criteria response (Required)
It is essential that you address the selection criteria for the position you are applying for. You can
use Council’s Section Criteria Response Form to address the selection criteria or you may elect to
draft you own document that addresses each criteria.
You should address each of the essential and highly desirable criteria listed in the position
description in a concise manner and ensure that you provide adequate information to demonstrate
how you meet the criteria. When providing your response to the selection criteria ensure that you
provide a statement to demonstrate how you meet the criterion and also provide example/s of
your experience and/or skills.
Please provide copies only of the qualifications you have mentioned in your application. Council
will require to sight, and in some cases, copy the originals of certificates or academic transcripts if
applicants progress to the later stages of the recruitment process.
4.Covering Letter (optional)
You may provide a covering letter to briefly introduce yourself. Details may include a brief overview
of your work history and the reason that our position is attractive to you.
You are welcome to submit any other relevant information that is not covered in your application and to
include copies of training certificates, qualifications etc. to support your application. Please ensure you do
not send originals of certificates and qualifications as Council will retain all information submitted as part of
your application.
Applying for a position at Cessnock City Council

The Job Application Form is mandatory if you wish to apply for a position at Cessnock City Council. You
can submit your application electronically by completing the job application form on Council’s website.
Please Note: If you are applying for more than one position a separate application form is required for
each position.

Please ensure you address the selection criteria outlined in the Position Description using the Selection
Criteria Response section in the Job Application Form.

When providing your referee details please ensure you provide referees who have been your direct
Manager / Supervisor.

Please do not provide originals of certificates and qualifications, as they will not be returned.

Your application must be received by the closing date.

Applications may be submitted electronically by clicking the “Submit” button at the bottom of the Job
Application Form. This will generate an e-mail with the completed application automatically attached.
Please ensure that you attach a copy of your up to date resume before sending the e-mail.

You must complete all required sections of the form in order for your application to be submitted. If you
do not complete all of the required sections you will not be able to submit your application form.

For applicants who are unable to send their applications electronically, applications may also be
submitted via post using the details below;
Post
General Manager
Cessnock City Council
PO Box 152
CESSNOCK 2325
Note: When posting your application please ensure it is marked as “Job Application – Private and
Confidential”
SELECTION PROCESS
Council engages a recruitment panel consisting of 2-4 people to undertake the recruitment process. The
panel will generally include the positions supervisor and a member of the Human Resources team, as a
minimum. It is the panel’s responsibility to assess each applicant’s submission to determine the successful
candidate.
The most meritorious applicants will be contacted and invited to attend an interview and/or skills
assessment, usually within four weeks of the advertised closing date. Applicants are asked a series of
structured questions which focus on the requirements of the position. The interview questions usually
require applicants to provide specific examples of how they can demonstrate particular criteria in the work
setting and may include situational or scenario based questions.
Shortlisted candidates may then be requested to undertake a pre-employment medical. Council will also
conduct required checks and verify eligibility to work.
The preferred candidate will be offered employment with Cessnock City Council. All applicants who are
unsuccessful will be notified of the outcome once the appointment has been finalised. Cessnock City
Council encourages applicants to seek feedback on their application and interviews.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further assistance please contact Council’s Human Resource Section on (02) 4993 4230.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title:
Ranger Services Support Officer
Position Number:
129
Directorate:
Planning and Environment
Unit:
Business Support
Salary Grade:
7
Standard Position Hours:
35 Hours
Position Reports to:
Business Support Manager
Staff Management:
Nil
Budget Responsibility:
Nil
Date Created:
Version:
Required PreEmployment Checks:
1
Date Last Reviewed:
8 April 2015
Document Number:
DOC2014/031722
Criminal History Check
ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Cessnock City Council employs approximately 280 employees and is responsible for a local government area of
approximately 1,950 square kilometres within the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, approximately 120
kilometres north of Sydney and 40 kilometres west of Newcastle.
Cessnock City Council provides a diverse range of services and facilities for the residents and visitors of the
local government area. Cessnock City Council comprises of 3 Directorates;



Works and Infrastructure
Planning and Environment
Corporate and Community Services
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT OF POSITION
The Planning and Environment directorate manages services associated with the following functions within
Cessnock City Council;






Development Services
Health and Building
Business Support
Strategic Land Use Planning
Integrated Planning & Reporting
Natural Environment Planning
The Business Support team is responsible for providing a range of administrative functions for the Planning and
Environment directorate.
WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY
The Responsibilities, Authorities and Accountabilities (RAA’s) applicable to this position is Level 6
For specific WHS Responsibilities, Authorities and Accountabilities applicable to this position, refer to the WHS
RAA Handbook.
The person accepting this position is required to read and comply with the RAA’s applicable to this position.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Position Description
Date Printed: 10 April 2015
Page 1 of 4
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this position is to provide efficient, effective, professional and responsive administrative
assistance to the Ranger Services Team, Health and Building Manager, and Business Support Manager.
The position will focus on the needs of the community, customers and staff, and will ensure best practice in the
provision and application of services.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
1.
Provide a high level of administrative support to the Rangers, Ranger Team Leader, Health and Building
Manager and Business Support Manager.
2.
Provide a professional responsive level of customer service conveying clear and accurate information to
the customer.
3.
Maintain a current knowledge of legislation to effectively perform in the role.
4.
Investigate, create and respond to enquiries and requests using Council’s Customer Request
Management System (CRM), including allocation of customer requests to Rangers and generation of
Monthly Reports.
5.
Maintain the Notices and Orders Register in relation to the issuing of Notices and Orders, including the
completion of affidavits ensuring accuracy for legal purposes.
6.
Maintain the Division of Local Government’s NSW Companion Animal Register including identifications,
daily reconciliation report, registrations, ownership changes, general maintenance; and organise refunds
of registration monies where appropriate. Provide data on dog attacks, update dangerous, restricted and
nuisance dog information.
7.
Generate the Companion Animal Registration mail out letters, final reminders, notices and statistical
reports.
8.
Verify RSPCA receipting with Companion Animal Registrations and liaise with the RSPCA staff in relation
to receipting anomalies and companion animal related matters.
9.
Complete the Department of Local Government Companion Animals Register Invoice and reconcile with
Council’s payments received.
10.
Perform statistical analysis of statutory reports.
11.
Investigate and research information in relation to ownership, property details, companion animal matters,
infringement information and reports.
12.
Maintain an extremely high level of confidentiality whilst performing Roads and Maritime Services (RMS)
Drives Access (Registration checks) as per the signed agreement for vehicle offences and maintain an
accurate log of access to the RMS site for auditing purposes and complying with identified outcomes from
trial audits.
13.
Coordinate relevant RMS written procedures and guidelines, access permissions, documents and log
books and ensure security compliant to the agreement.
14.
Generate and maintain standard templates (e.g. animal control, vehicles and property).
15.
Provide input and assistance to Ranger Services in relation to the development and review of codes,
policies and procedures.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Position Description
Date Printed: 10 April 2015
Page 2 of 4
16.
Actively participate and provide assistance in the design and implementation of Council’s Ranger Services
Education Programs and Micro-chipping Day.
17.
Provide relief support for Business Support Team.
18.
Any other accountabilities as directed by the Team Leader which are within the employees skills
competence and training.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Position Description
Date Printed: 10 April 2015
Page 3 of 4
POSITION SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
1.
Certificate III in Office Administration or other related discipline, or extensive experience (minimum of 7
years) in a similar role.
2.
Demonstrated minimum of 4 years experience in an administrative role.
3.
Demonstrated high level experience in the use of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and
PowerPoint.
4.
Demonstrated experience in the use of Electronic Document Management Systems, computer based
Geographic Information Systems and Customer Request Management Systems.
5.
Demonstrated ability and commitment to providing quality customer service to both internal and external
customers.
6.
Demonstrated well developed written and verbal communications skills including the ability to
communicate with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external, and to negotiate outcomes and
resolve conflict.
7.
Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills, including the ability to critically analyse issues and
develop and implement appropriate solutions.
8.
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team, fostering an environment based on
teamwork and cooperation, within a multi-disciplinary environment.
9.
Demonstrated ability to accept challenges, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines in a fast paced
environment.
10.
Demonstrate the absence of any relevant criminal history.
Highly Desirable
1.
Demonstrated experience in a Local Government environment.
2.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Local Government Act 1993 and Companion Animals
Act 1998.
3.
Current Class C NSW Drivers Licence.
SIGNATURE
Employee
Full Name:
Signature:
Date:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Position Description
Date Printed: 10 April 2015
Page 4 of 4