Employment 

Staff Benefits 

The Shire prides itself on its excellent employment conditions including a commitment to work/life balance and health and wellbeing. Working for the Shire means that as an employee, in addition to a competitive salary package, you will also enjoy:

• up to 6 weeks annual leave + 17.5% leave loading
• up to 5% matching superannuation contributions for additional employee contributions made (in addition to the statutory 11.5% amount)
• the ability to salary package rent or mortgage interest expenses
• 11 public holidays 
• 2 additional ‘Local Government Days’ per year (accrued on Christmas Day & Good Friday) for those employed under the Shire’s Enterprise Agreement
• access to regular rostered days off (if working permanent full-time hours)
• Shire provided work uniforms and PPE
• opportunities for professional development and training
• 24/7/365 free and confidential access to SWEK's Employee Assistance Program (access also extended to members of SWEK employee's immediate family and households members)
• free benefits such as annual flu vaccinations and skin checks offered as a part of SWEK's Health and Wellbeing Program
• complimentary memberships for permanent staff to the Kununurra Leisure Centre and Wyndham Pool

Code of Conduct 

The Shire is a Values-led organisation and our culture reflects the values, beliefs and behaviours of our entire workforce. The Shire’s adopted values and behaviours guide our workplace conduct and decision making and underpin our day-to-day interaction with one another, and the decisions we make collectively as an organisation. We expect our workforce to demonstrate positive behaviour which helps us to foster healthy, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders alike.

Code of Conduct for Employees - Leading with Integrity: Our Commitment to Ethical Excellence 

Application Process & Guidance Notes

Although it is preferred that applications are submitted for current vacancies electronically via www.swek.bigredsky.com, the Shire will also accept applications that are submitted in person, via post or via email.

To apply for employment with the Shire, applicants are required to submit requested details and supporting documents outlined within the advertising relevant to the vacancy that they’re applying for.

The below guidance notes are offered in respect to what candidates should consider and include when responding to the ‘CV/Resume’ and ‘Key Selection Criteria’ requirements:

• CV/Resume:
  • relevant personal details (name, e-mail address, postal address, contact telephone number/s);
  • previous employment history including dates and a brief overview of tasks performed in each position;
  • education and training undertaken relevant to the position being applied for, including copies of relevant qualifications; and
  • details of at least two (2) referees who can provide comment on the applicants current and/or recent (i.e. within the last 2 years) work or study performance.

• Key Selection Criteria:
  The ‘Position Description’ document advertised outlines both the essential and desirable Key Selection Criteria for the job that the incumbent will be required to address. These criteria, and the responses provided by applicants within their respective applications, are used to help the Selection Panel determine which applicant may be best able to perform the duties of the position.

One way that an applicant can choose to address this, is to set out a statement which lists each selection criteria and then clearly explain under each one how they feel that they currently meet it or otherwise what steps they are prepared to take to meet the criteria in the future.

Lodging your Application

• Closing date
  All submissions must be received by the nominated closing time and date as outlined within the advertising related to the vacancy. In fairness to all applicants, late applications cannot be considered unless prior consent has been received from the Shire under restricted circumstances.
  
  
• Job application lodgement process
  Applicants are asked to go to the Shire’s ‘Vacant Positions’ page on their website, select the position of interest to access the vacancy information and click on the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the vacancy page to lodge an application for the role.
  
  Documents as listed on the below checklist should be included as a part of an applicant’s application:

• • CV/Resume
  • Response to Key Selection Criteria
  • Copies of supporting documentation proving the candidate’s possession of essential qualifications, licenses and/or memberships, national police clearance and/or vaccinations; and
  • Supporting documentation of rights to work in Australia.

• Application acknowledgement and status
  Once an applicant’s application has been received by the Shire, an acknowledgement email will be sent to the contact email provided.
  
  The candidate will be contacted directly regarding the progress of their application, including if they have been selected to progress to the next stage of recruitment.
  
  It is important to note that the selection process can take some time, and as such, all applicants are asked to exercise patience while awaiting advice regarding the outcome of their application.

Selection Process & Interview Guidance 

• Application review and shortlisting
  All applicants will be assessed and shortlisted based on the merits of their submitted written application. The Shire will attempt to contact all applicants via phone if their application has been shortlisted for progression.

• Preparing for an interview
  Attending an interview can be stressful for even the most experienced applicant.
  
  To prepare for an interview, applicants are encouraged to:

• • read the position description focusing particularly on the Key Selection Criteria;
  • think of examples of work situations where they have applied the relevant skills and knowledge sought;
  • focus on the duties of the position and think about how they would personally go about carrying them out if successful for the role;
  • think about any problems they might encounter if successful for the role and how they would  go about resolving them; and
  • try to identify skills that they possess that would be transferable to the position they have applied for.

• The interview
  

  If selected for an interview, applicants will be contacted to arrange a suitable time to attend.

  During the interview, the selection panel will gather information related to the candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills and behaviours to assist them in determining the candidate’s suitability for the position they have applied for.

  Should a candidate be in a position where they feel that they do not understand a question asked during the interview they are encouraged ask the selection panel to repeat the question or seek clarification prior to providing a response.  In all interviews, there will be an opportunity for the candidate to ask any questions related to the role and/or working at the Shire prior to the conclusion of the interview.

  Selection Panel Members will write notes and assess the candidate’s answers in response to the structured questions, ensuring that applicants are examined in an objective and informed manner.

• Following interviews
  

  The preferred applicant will be contacted by a representative of the Human Resources Team in order to complete all standard pre-employment checks, with all positions at the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley requiring the below at a minimum prior to being considered for employment by the Shire:

  • Reference checks;
  • An acceptable National Police Clearance (dated within the last 6 months);
  • Completion of a pre-employment medical assessment or questionnaire (dependent on position type) and Drug and Alcohol Screening.

   

  All applicants unsuccessful in having their application progressed will be notified of this outcome in writing.

• Applicant feedback
  Following the completion of a recruitment process, Human Resources staff are available to provide applicants with feedback on their application and/or interview to assist them in applying for future vacancies.

Position Requiring Immunisations

Some positions carry some occupational risk of acquiring a vaccine-preventable disease. In these positions it is therefore a requirement that the successful candidate/s demonstrate they have had, or are in the process of obtaining, required immunisations. As such, in order to progress you as an applicant for these types of positions we will require a copy of your ‘Immunisation History Statement’ which is available from your ‘MyGov’ account or your ‘Express Plus Medicare’ app.

For the successful candidate to commence work, the requirements below must be met.

If you are applying for a position that has required immunisations outlined and would like to know more information as to the process of getting your immunisations up to date, please in the first instance contact your preferred GP or Healthcare Provider or alternatively Wunan Health on (08) 9168 1001 to make an appointment.

Any costs incurred to the successful candidate in relation to obtaining required immunisations will be reimbursed upon their 6 month anniversary date of employment (dependent on relevant receipts being provided).

A list of positions and the required immunisations is available below. For further information please contact the Shire’s Human Resources team on (08) 9168 4100.

More Information & Contacts 

At the Shire we are constantly reviewing our processes and procedures in an attempt to make ongoing improvements to make our recruitment processes as clear, straightforward and compliant as possible. As such, we value all feedback received which helps us to achieve this. 

For more information about applying for a job with the Shire and the applicable recruitment processes, or to provide us with feedback, please contact us via email hr@swek.wa.gov.au.

Enterprise Agreement 2021

• Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Enterprise Agreement 2021