Job opportunity

Fixed term opportunity for up to 12 months with the possibility for extension and/or permanency.

Pursuant to Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA), only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible for appointment to this position.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Department of Energy, Mines Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) respectfully acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as being the Traditional Custodians for Western Australia. We acknowledge the enduring connection Aboriginal people continue to share with the land, sea, and sky through both their ancestral ties and custodianship to Country. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the value brought to our department through the collective contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Western Australia.

DEMIRS aims to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our customers and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. These positions are part of the Gnalla Yira Koorl (GYK) program, a diversity initiative to achieve equality and increase workforce representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Interviews for the Gnalla Yira Koorl Program will be held in February 2025, with an expected commencement date in April 2025.

What is the Gnalla Yira Koorl program?

Gnalla Yira Koorl (GYK) meaning: ‘We are moving, progressing, going forward and going up’ in Noongar language is an initiative focused on diversity and inclusion, aligning with the department’s Aboriginal Employment Strategy and the Diversity and Inclusion Plan. This 12-month program offers employment and career development opportunities specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. The program commences in April 2025.

The GYK program includes:

• A full-time, 12-month contract that can lead to permanent employment upon successful program completion.
• Structured professional learning and development and on the job learning.
• Guidance and support from the Aboriginal Strategy Team, along with a sponsor/mentor and our Aboriginal Gnalla staff network.
• Convenient office locations near public transport, making it easy to get to and from work.
• An open and collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and diverse perspectives.

The position

The Consumer Protection Division of DEMIRS is responsible for promoting fair trading and consumer protection in Western Australia. Investigations are conducted to effectively detect, deter and remedy improper practices in relation to legislation administered by Consumer Protection. This involves conducting appropriate enquiries into complaint matters arising from consumer purchases of goods and services in all market sectors including retail, automotive, marine, tenancy, property and service sectors. Investigations are also conducted into suspected breaches of industry-specific laws and regulations applicable to these sectors

As a Senior Investigator, you will play a vital role in conducting lawful investigations into complex complaints and where appropriate, compiling briefs of evidence for use in any Court or Tribunal.

Your key responsibilities will encompass analysing complex complaints and other materials received by the Department to detect potential breaches or instances of non-compliance with a range of legislation administered by the Department. You'll be tasked with formulating strategies for intricate investigations and generating high-quality, factual written content in the form of reports containing sustainable recommendations, preparing briefs of evidence suitable for any Court or Tribunal, and drafting formal correspondence such as memoranda, letters, and briefing notes and parliamentary questions.

Additionally, your role will be responsible for offering advice and cultivating productive relationships with consumers, traders, and various internal and external state and federal stakeholders.

Your proficiency in locating, interpreting, and analysing legislation to pinpoint non-compliance, along with your well-developed analytical and communication skills, and ability to obtain evidence lawfully via various means will be indispensable assets for this role and the team.

Please refer to the Job Description Form (JDF) attached for further information regarding the position, including any specific requirements, capabilities and pre-employment checks which will be assessed as part of the selection process.

While this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other similar vacancies (permanent, fixed-term, full-time or part-time) within the department for the next 12 months, from the date that the recruitment breach period has been finalised.

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have a valid working visa (for fixed term appointments) or be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia (for permanent appointments) at the time of application.

Further information

Please contact Kenneth Dobson, General Manager Investigations on (08) 08 6552 9515. If you have any questions about the GYK program, employment conditions or the application process, please contact Kellie Austin, Organisational Development Consultant - Aboriginal Strategy on 08 9222 3281 or email RecruitmentandEngagement@demirs.wa.gov.au or visit our website. You can also keep up to date on DEMIRS achievements and activities by following us on LinkedIn.

How to apply
We ask for you to provide:

A detailed resume outlining your key achievements, work history, education and professional development, and a covering letter of no more than two (2) pages, addressing the following points:

• Demonstrated experience and proven skills in planning and conducting complex investigations in the preparation and presentation of successful briefs of evidence as part of criminal, disciplinary or civil proceedings before Courts or Tribunals.
• Demonstrated experience in locating, interpreting, analysing and applying legislation to identify non-compliance.
• Demonstrated well-developed interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, including experience in producing complex reports and other high quality written materials.

In the attached Applicant Information Pack, we offer further information on how to apply with tips on preparing your application and the range of incentives offered to employees who work with DEMIRS.

To submit your application, click on the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. You will be asked to complete several questions, before attaching your resume and covering letter.

Supporting diversity and inclusion

DEMIRS is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive workplace. We welcome all to apply, however, preference may be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, youth and people of diverse sexualities. This helps us ensure our workforce is diverse, effective and forward thinking, and is supported by the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA).

We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2023-2024 by Diversity Council Australia. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

Reasonable adjustments will be provided during our recruitment processes and in the workplace so you can fully participate.

CLOSING DATE: 4.00 pm on Monday, 3 February 2025 (WST)

Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to lodge your application online; as applications that are in progress or submitted after this time will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure your application is submitted on time.

We look forward to receiving your application and considering you for this exciting opportunity to join our team.