Graduate Program

The Department of Industry and Resources has a major role in delivering prosperity for Western Australians through the State’s economic development. Each Division in the Department has a unique function which requires a certain skill set identified by their graduate’s qualification requirements.

Please read the Job Descriptions below for each Division to gain an understanding of their Group context, Operational context and the Job Requirements (including qualifications) to ensure you have what they are looking for.

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The Department of Industry and Resources Graduate Program is designed to develop graduates professional skills and knowledge. It aims to assist graduates in advancing their careers within the Department, while at the same time adding value to operations and developing future management and leadership capability.

The Department seeks graduates with a wide range of professional and technical qualifications. We are particularly interested in employing recent University graduates who possess the following competencies;    

• Use appropriate techniques to research.
• Use a range of techniques and initiatives to identify and resolve problems.
• Work collaboratively to resolve issues.
• Draft a range of written documents.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, including within a small team environment.

Our Graduates will carry out a range of objectives during rotation placements through different Divisions of the Department.  Roles may vary to some extent with each placement, but are all contained in the general Role Statements below:   

• Assists in achieving business objectives within a team environment, through assigned research, policy and project activities, allocated during rotation placements.
• Builds on relevant tertiary education, with corporate knowledge, and applies professional expertise to support and enhance business activities.
• Develops a sound understanding, knowledge and experience of the operations of the Department, through short-term placements.
• Effectively participates in on-the-job and other learning and development activities, provided throughout the development program.

The Graduate Program is a targeted indigenous Australian and youth employment initiative, under our Equity and Diversity Plan.

The Graduate Program     

• The program runs for 18 months.  Initial employment is on a 12 month fixed-term contract with a provision for permanent appointment following successful completion of the probationary period. 
• A number of rotational placements across the Department which are designed to provide exposure to the range and depth of our diverse operations whilst providing an opportunity to develop skills and experience.
• A comprehensive induction process is provided which includes meeting with Corporate Support representatives and information sessions from various operational groups. 
• Graduates are employed at Public Service Level 3, which is currently $48 409 pa plus 9% superannuation. 
• A comprehensive training program is offered where graduates regularly attended a list of approved courses provided by various external and in-house training providers. 
• The Departments Performance Management process covers this program which outlines the objectives in each placement for the graduate to achieve and an evaluation on the skills developed. Graduates also undertake a feedback session on their placement with the Human Resource Branch. 
• The Program is centrally coordinated and monitored by Human Resources. 
• Graduates are engaged by a ‘home’ division’ where they will commence their employment before being rotated through other areas in the Department.  At the end of the Program, the graduate will return to a job in their home division. The program allows for graduates to have input and be involved in new and interesting projects that may arise during the rotation period. 
• Each 'home division' provides a senior manager as the graduate’s sponsor.  The role of a sponsor is to serve as a reference point for the graduate and to ensure placements, provide suitable work and opportunity to develop new skills.  
• Graduates are encouraged to maintain communication with each other during the Program through a group email address, group meetings and attending monthly information sessions with a representative of the Senior Executive group.   

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With an organisational vision of Sustainable Prosperity and a better quality of life for Western Australians, the Department advances the responsible development of the State's industry and resources sector for the benefit of Western Australians. The Department is a large public organisation with a diverse range of regulatory, resource development, industry and scientific services, and promotional functions.

The Department helps:   

• Create jobs and prosperity through sustainable development
• Broaden the State's economic base
• Protect the community and the environment.

The Department is a State Government Department of approximately 1000 staff with offices in regional and overseas locations. We have two offices in central Perth, Mineral House, 100 Plain Street East Perth and at 1 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth.

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As a graduate your role during the Program is to:

Develop a sound understanding of The Department’s functions

You will be provided with the opportunity to develop your skills through a variety of placements that will also contribute to the Department operational business plan. This will provide the foundation for ongoing work opportunities and career development within your home division.

Work within Government and The Department policies

It is expected that your work will be carried out in accordance with the relevant Government and The Department policies. This includes the Public Sector Code of Ethics, the Department Code of Conduct and the Department Core Values.

Apply your recently gained knowledge and skills to the workplace

You are encouraged to apply your recently learned academic knowledge and technical skills to the Department workplace during the Graduate Program.

Practice good communication and teamwork

You will be expected to practice good interpersonal skills, and work co-operatively within various work teams during your rotational placements.

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Some of the great conditions of employment that the Public Service General Agreement offers:

• 37.5 hours working week with access to flexible working arrangements such as start and finish times;
• 4 weeks annual leave each year;
• access to personal leave if you are sick, caring for a dependant, unplanned and planned absences;
• salary increments on completion of each anniversary year;
• 17.5% leave loading paid on accrued leave;
• 13 weeks Long Service Leave
• salary packaging;
• study and exam leave; and
• parental leave.

A summary of conditions can be found here and are outlined in the Public Service General Agreement.

Some of the employment benefits offered by the Department:

• Work and Living Program;
• social club;
• on site cafeteria (Mineral House);
• change rooms and bicycle lock up (Mineral House);
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Mentoring Program; and
• flexible working hours.

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Essentially, you will be expected to demonstrate your initiative and learning capacity during the Graduate Program. While initiative is a key element, you will not be expected to cope alone. The Department will provide support and feedback through the following:

Your Home Sponsor;   

• will be your key home division contact point; and
• provide any necessary support during the Program to maximise your development.

Your Line Manager during Placements:

Throughout your rotational placements, you will have different managers. The role of a manger is to:

• ensure you are fully engaged in meaningful work, that utilises your skills and abilities;
• set objectives for you to achieve during the rotation and provide an assessment on your performance at the conclusion of your placement; and
• Encourage you to share your academic and technical knowledge with your colleagues.

Human Resources

The Human Resources Branch will provide a Graduate Co-ordinator to negotiate placements for you and ensure compliance with the Graduate Program Policy and Guidelines. This will also involve bringing graduates together at various points for general progress discussions. Your Graduate Co-ordinator will be available to you for discussions on your progress, and deal with any queries or concerns you may have.

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As a Department targeted indigenous Australian and youth employment initiative within the Equity and Diversity Management Plan, the intention of the Graduate Program is to recruit indigenous and young first degree graduates.

Eligibility

• Australian citizen or eligible for permanent residency.
• First degree qualification being completed in the current year or the preceding calendar year.
• Indigenous Australians are encouraged to apply
• Graduates 25 years of age or younger

Advertising for graduate positions can be accessed on;

• DoIR Website - Current Graduate Opportunities 
• jobs.wa.gov.au - WA Government Job Board
• http://www.seek.com.au/
• http://www.mycareer.com.au/
• The West Australian; and
• University websites

Graduates will have the opportunity to participate in the Department of Premier and Cabinet program “Public Sector In Focus’, which offers graduates a great opportunity to understand the business of Government and to learn about Government-wide polices, current strategic issues and future developments in public policy and public sector management.

Graduates have the opportunity to connect with public sector leaders and experts in their fields, as well as fellow graduates from across the public sector.

The program consists of a series of seminars focussing on whole of government issues and topics. The seminars are designed to complement the training that graduates receive in their own agencies.

The following topics are covered:

• An Audience with our Leaders
• Public Sector: The Big Picture
• Spotlight on Parliament
• Treasury in Focus
• Future Workforce and Careers

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