Job Application Guidelines

The following information is provided to assist you in preparing and submitting your written application and to plan for the selection interview.

Selection generally involves a written application, an interview and a referee check. It can also involve other selection methods e.g., presentations, work samples or work exercises. All assessments are based on the selection criteria and target your skills, knowledge, abilities and experience in relation to these criteria.

Your application for the advertised position should consist of the following information:

1. Application for Vacancy Form

All particulars should be completed including the details on the acknowledgement slip.

The  Application for Vacancy Form 151.67 KB is required when applying for all positions with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

2. Curriculum Vitae (Resume)

This should include the following information:

• Personal details - name, address, and phone number(s)
• List of academic qualifications and/or current studies (attach photocopies of qualifications)
• Details of any training courses you have attended
• Membership of professional bodies
• Activities you have undertaken external to work, which are relevant to the position you are applying for
• A summary of your work experience from most recent to least recent (include dates, employer name, position title and details of tasks/responsibilities, including committee memberships)
• Major accomplishments at work
• Referees.

3. Statement of Claims (against the selection competencies)

Your response to the selection competencies is the most important part of your application.

Selection competencies are the knowledge, skills, experience and abilities the selection panel consider necessary to perform the duties of the advertised position. You must demonstrate to the selection panel that you possess the required attributes to compete for the vacancy. Applicants will be shortlisted for further assessment based on their ability to meet the essential competencies and their overall competitiveness against other applicants.

When addressing selection competencies it is tempting to write down everything you have ever done in your career. However, panels will evaluate you on the way you demonstrate your competitiveness against competencies by recent, relevant and high quality examples. It is not necessary to write very long applications - aim for quality not quantity. In demonstrating to the selection panel that you meet all essential competencies it is important that information is presented in a clear, relevant and concise manner.

Lengthy applications tend to lose their impact. Overall, for each competency, it is suggested you keep your statements brief, say half to a whole page for each.

For each competency use each selection competency as a separate heading and give a brief outline of relevant experiences and knowledge which will show the panel the scope of your competencies. Then choose your best example related to the competency, make clear how it applies to the competency, what you did in relation to the information, how your contribution made a difference and how you know that it made a difference.

An acceptable way in which to do this is by using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Situation (The position you were in and the circumstances impacting - problem)

Task (The things that had to be achieved to overcome the problem - objective)

Action (The measures you took, how you did it - strategies)

Result (The result. Was it successful or not? - outcomes)

Where the selection competency requires a specific qualification then applicants need to indicate that they meet this requirement and attach a copy of the qualification to their application.

4. Referees

The name, work address and contact number of two referees should be listed on the Application for Vacancy form. Referees should be contacted for approval before listing them on the Application for Vacancy form.

5. Submitting your application

• Applications should be typed where possible, otherwise please ensure that your handwriting is clear and easy to read.
• Applications should be stapled in the top left-hand corner, with the Application for Vacancy form being the top document.
• Please do not submit your application in plastic or cardboard folders.
• If applying for more than one position, separate applications must be submitted for each position (unless otherwise specified in the advertisement).
• Keep a photocopy of your completed application for reference, as it will be useful if you should be shortlisted for interview.

Applications should be marked Confidential Advertised Vacancy and posted or hand delivered to:

Human Resources Officer
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Administration Office
Fraser Ave
WEST PERTH WA 6005

You may also email your application to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to (+61 8) 9322 5064.

Please ensure your entire application reaches us by 4.00 pm on the closing date listed in the advertisement.

Late or Proforma applications will not be accepted

• In accordance with established policy, vacancies are advertised for a prescribed period and specify a closing date. The closing time for advertised vacancies within the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority is 4.00 pm on the nominated day.
• When posting applications, allow ample time for any mailing delays, as it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is received on time.
• Applications that are lodged with Australia Post, MailWest or the internal Mail System and are in transit at the time applications close are deemed late and will not be accepted.
  
• If using a private courier service then it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the courier delivers the application by the due date and time to the nominated person in the advertisement and not to a general reception area. It is suggested, when using a courier service, to confirm with Employee Services that the application was received before the closing time.
• If you are unsure as to whether your application will arrive on time, deliver it by hand or prepare your application and mail it early.

6. Advice on Interview Preparation

If you are shortlisted for further assessment, the following information will assist you in preparing yourself for interview:

• All interview questions will be job related - that is, they will relate to the selection competencies for the position you have applied.
• The same questions will be asked of each interviewee.
• Do not assume that panel members know about your suitability for the job even though you may have worked with them or have previous experience in the position you have applied for.
• Answer questions fully without unnecessary detail.
• If you have any relevant reports or other work you have done which will provide examples of your skills and abilities, you should organise examples for presentation at the interview.
• Re-read the Job Profile Form and the selection competencies and think of work situations where you applied the relevant skills and abilities.
• Focus on the duties of the position and think about how your experience relates to the duties. Think of examples that demonstrate this.
• Questions will be behavioural type questions, answer these questions with an opening general statement followed by a specific example from your past experience, similar to the way you have addressed the selection competencies in your written application.

Some examples of behavioural type questions you may encounter: "Please give the panel an example of when you have had to resolve a conflict with a client or workmate. How did you handle it? What was the outcome?"(Interpersonal Skills)
"One of the main functions of this position is policy formulation. Describe your experience in writing policies and tell us how you go about it." (Policy formulation)

7. Feedback

You have the right to request feedback from the Convenor of the selection panel on how you performed at interview and how your written application was rated. You are encouraged to seek feedback.

8. Breach of Standard

The recruitment and selection of staff for positions within Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority is governed by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. The outcome of set standards is that "the most suitable and available people are selected and appointed". The recruitment, selection and appointment standard states:
The minimum standard of merit, equity and probity is met for recruitment, selection and appointment if:

• A proper assessment matches a candidate's skills, knowledge and abilities with the work-related requirements of the job and the outcomes sought by the public sector body, which may include diversity.
• The process is open, competitive and free of bias, unlawful discrimination, nepotism or patronage.
• Decisions are transparent and capable of review.

While there is no appeal process based on merit (i.e., on the grounds that an unsuccessful applicant considers themselves a better applicant than any other), applicants other than those applying for base grade appointments have the right to lodge a grievance against any alleged breach of the above standards. After receiving notice of the Selection Panel's appointment decision, applicants have the opportunity to seek feedback on their application/interview.

Further details on this process will be available in the letter to applicants advising the Selection Panel's decision.

It is hoped that you find this information of assistance and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority looks forward to receiving your application.

9. Applicant Checklist

(May be completed by applicant and retained if desired)

The following checklist is designed to assist applicants to fulfill all requirements related to lodging an application for a position at Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

	Application for Vacancy Form completed and stapled to top of application?
	Referees listed on Application for Vacancy Form?
	Referees contacted and agreed to contribute as required?
	Acknowledgement slip completed but not detached?
	Current Curriculum Vitae (resume) is attached?
	Photocopies of qualifications are attached?
	Statement demonstrating how each individual selection competency is met is attached?
	All competencies have been addressed? None have been missed?
	A photocopy of application with all supporting documentation has been retained for my personal record?
	I understand late applications will not be accepted and I have taken steps to ensure that my application is received on time?