The Department of Communities works to improve the lives of people, children, families and communities across Western Australia.

Working in partnership with communities, government, the community services sector and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, we help keep children safe, strengthen families and address complex social challenges including homelessness and family, domestic and sexual violence.

Communities is a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program. The program defines best practice standards by creating a carer friendly workplace, enabling staff to balance work and care, while continuing to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community.

If you’re looking for more than just a job, then read on.

Eligibility to Apply: Pursuant of Section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, the occupant of this position must be of Aboriginal descent. 

The Department of Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting and retaining Aboriginal people as a vital part of our diverse and talented workforce.  The Department recognises Aboriginality as a genuine occupational qualification for this position under 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984. To apply you must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as such, and be recognised by the community.

About the Division

The Aboriginal Outcomes division (division) is multi-disciplinary and focuses on culturally led systems reform and leadership across key strategic platforms, programs, projects and initiatives that support and enable the Department to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities. The division operates at a whole-of-system, whole-of-government and whole-of-agency level.

The division supports the Department to improve their organisational capability, developing new ways of working, enhancing economic development and designing and delivering new models of service delivery that are culturally nuanced, led and targeted to improve overall strategic imperatives and outcomes as they relate to Aboriginal Peoples and communities. The determination of strategic focus areas is defined by Government and the Department, and reflects emerging priorities and themes that impact Aboriginal Peoples and communities where the Department has a legislative or systems focus.

The team environment is culturally informed, responsive and safe, reflecting an agile, dynamic, focus on achieving positive outcomes and delivering change across target areas, with a specialist and clear focus on Aboriginal Peoples and communities. Our team embodies the Departmental values.

We achieve a culturally informed, responsive, and secure work environment and prioritise cultural awareness across our team to support and enable improved outcomes for Aboriginal staff, children, people, families and communities.

The Role

The Assistant Director General Aboriginal Outcomes is required to lead with cultural insight and accountability to influence and drive systemic change and lead equitable outcomes for Aboriginal Peoples both internal and external to the Department. This role is responsible for leading the ongoing strategic and organisational reform across the Department to achieve improved outcomes for Aboriginal Peoples and communities by ensuring people, systems, processes, and culture are optimised to meet community, Department, State and Commonwealth priorities.

As a member of the Communities Leadership Team, the position plays a key leadership role for the Department in supporting the Director General and other operational areas; setting the strategic business direction; and the achievement of corporate goals. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy.

The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Mandy Gadsdon, Director at Think Culture at mandy@thinkculture.com.au

You will need to embody our iCREATE Values and have genuine commitment to high levels of integrity, accountability, effective governance and transparency.

This full time, Senior Executive Service position offers a fixed-term appointment of up to five (5) years and is based in Fremantle.  Walyalup Koort is a great location close to the Fremantle Markets, various new cafes and eateries (click here to find out more) and a car park, as well as walking distance to the Fremantle train station and Bathers Beach.

The successful applicant or applicants assessed as suitable through this process may receive further offers of contract employment in this or similar roles.

Attractive Benefits

In return for your skills, passion, and commitment we will offer you a challenging job, a safe and healthy working environment, and a range of Attractive Benefits (subject to eligibility) including:

• Flexible working arrangements (including flexible working hours, 9-day fortnight consideration, and work from work options)
• Access to motor vehicle benefits
• Additional 3 Days Public Service Leave per annum
• Eligibility to join the Fitness Passport program
• 3 months long service leave for every seven years consecutive service
• 18 weeks paid parental leave
• 10 days Disability Leave
• 5 days Reproductive Health Leave
• Discount on private health insurance
• Comprehensive learning and development opportunities that focus on your career aspirations
• Access to free and confidential Employee Assistance Programs for you and your family
• 5 days cultural and ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
• Working for a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program.

All People are Leaders

We believe all our people are leaders irrespective of their role. We consider this as critical to our success and, to support this, we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the expected behaviours and mindsets of our employees as outlined in Building Leadership Impact. The leadership context of this position is Executive Leader.

Leadership in this context is about shaping complex initiatives covering multiple business areas as well as having a key responsibility in corporate governance.

Join the Department of Communities
Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above and below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:

1. A current resume/CV.

2. A maximum three (3) page covering letter outlining the key responsibilities and achievements you have had during your career in the context of the job description and essential work-related requirements

1. A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of the relevance to the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).
2. An application form (for hard copy applications only).

Applicants who are short listed will be assessed on all the Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) during the selection process.

For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact the SES Employment Team at SES.HR@communities.wa.gov.au.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the following numbers:

TTY/voice calls - 133 677

Speak & Listen - 1300 555 727

SMS relay - 0423 677 767

Integrity and Honesty

The public sector is built on a strong foundation of integrity where employees act ethically, and public sector bodies promote and maintain integrity. 

In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. For more information on these requirements, click here.  

Equity and Diversity

The Department of Communities embraces diversity and firmly believes that the best services come from a workplace, where varied viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged every day. We are committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce, where we encourage applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women and youth.

If you have any access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, or alternative methods of communication, please contact the team via email ses.hr@communities.wa.gov.au or Luke Daly, HR Consultant by phone on 0468 578 506.

If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Lodgement is system generated. Any emailed applications or late submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted.