Organisation: Fair Work Ombudsman
Job Title: Analyst
Word Limit: 400 words pp
Location: Perth
Demonstrated high level research and analytical skills
Throughout my career, particularly when achieving results in my current position within the Government sector, I have developed the ability to think logically, understand situations from a strategic perspective and follow through by formulating and implementing effective short-term and long-term decisions. Within my role with Child Support Agency (CSA) as Senior Service Officer, I practice informed decision-making, utilising my sound judgement and in full recognition of the implications. Contributing to solutions and progress, I harness information and opportunities when performing my day-to-day duties, working diligently to adhere to existing practices and improve efficiency.
During my 11-year tenure with the CSA, I have embraced a variety of opportunities to continue to develop and build on my high-level research and analytical skills. These are essential to developing a clear vision and understanding of the key issues in each case. By utilising all available research tools within the CSA, analysing critical data against legislation, and identifying the unique attributes of each case, I confidently determine and implement case outcomes. Recently, I managed a complaint that had been directed to a Ministerial member, claiming that the CSA had incorrectly applied a taxable income to a client’s account, resulting in a debt being lodged against that account. As is standard practice, the client’s tax return had been intercepted and applied to the amount owing to the CSA.
Immediately reviewing this particular case, I began interrogating the client’s tax return through the Australian Taxation Office database to obtain the reported income components. Completing the research of all relevant information and data, I then contacted the client to discuss the particulars of their tax return. Whilst reviewing the data, I identified that the client’s employer had incorrectly applied reportable superannuation as salary sacrifice on the payment summary. Standard protocol of the CSA is that amended tax returns are not used for child support assessments, so I commenced further investigation and research into relevant legislation on incorrect taxable incomes and what solutions I could provide to this client. Locating a section of legislation that could be applied, I advised the client that they would require their accountant to re-lodge their tax return on their behalf.
The resolution provided to this client resulted in correct assessment of taxable income and, as a result, no debt owed. For my part, through my ability to research and analyse key data, received positive feedback from all parties for the efficient outcome provided.
Ability to manipulate and analyse statistical data
Displaying confident and competent analytical thinking skills, I have a proven ability to work within complex frameworks. Within my career to date, I have displayed my capacity to analyse, and also prioritise, elevated levels of information and convert objectives into actions. My aptitude in prioritising problems, and gathering pertinent information to analyse, has resulted in my being able to recognise identifying symptoms and their causes, enabling me to reach the best conclusions for all parties affected.
In relation to the analysis and interpretation of statistical information, I utilise analysis and data base management tools to interrogate and analyse data, providing advice to departmental staff and external agencies. By tailoring my preparation and presentation, I have been successful in providing statistical information in a way that meets the needs of all stakeholders. My previous positions with Government agencies has given me confidence in my working knowledge of the Western Australian Public Sector, including a sound understanding of funding and the associated reporting obligations.
In my current position at the Child Support Agency, I am responsible for the submission of financial reports that are provided to the General Manager. The budgetary reporting provided needs to be coupled with critical statistical data of case management files and their outcomes. I am influential in my reporting of this data to provide justification of funding and its allocation. Due to the level of trust and respect I have earned from management through my sound analytical skills, I am trusted to provide explanations for apparent data discrepancies. Demonstrating sound financial analytical skills, I perform financial audits and analysis on stakeholders’ financial situations. Through my ability to extract data in strict adherence to secrecy legislation and frameworks, I have been able to successful manipulate and analyse this data to provide accurate accounts of stakeholders and attempts of evasion. Both my past and current employment roles have all relied on my ability to deliver required outcomes within tight timeframes under changing priorities.
Throughout my career thus far, I have effectively put my skills into practice in a range of situations, drawing on my personal and academic experience of concepts and their practical application. My aims are to identify and implement possible improvements and strive to continue to grow my knowledge base.
Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to write for a range of audiences
Throughout my career history, particularly in my role at the Child Support Agency (CSA), I have proven successful in providing excellent written and verbal communication. With a capacity to deal with cultural diversity and communicate effectively with people of different ages and backgrounds in the workplace, I have demonstrated my ability to positively influence those around me. Possessing the ability to act in an inclusive manner, as well as taking the initiative often required to build productive relationships, I have been successful in building rapport in all network settings throughout my career.
Communicating with and advising people from all backgrounds, I have earned a sound reputation for my ability to represent clients’ objectives within various settings. As well as using influential negotiation and interpersonal skills, the methods I use include confident written communication, case management and preparation. Different contexts sometimes require different approaches and I adapt my strong communication skills to suit the occasion and achieve the desired outcomes. Extensive active listening skills are often required to ascertain a client’s needs so a greater understanding of their situation can be reached. It is through my commitment to active and passive communication that I have cemented cultivating and rewarding relationships in all my interactions and exemplified fair treatment and inclusive environments.
Throughout my career at CSA, particularly in my position as Senior Case Officer, I have been aligned with a number of clients who are restricted to written communication only. These are often complex cases with clients presenting with difficult behaviours. Currently, I am working with a client with these contact restrictions who writes to me on a weekly basis regarding appeals lodged with the Objections Department of the CSA, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Family Court. In every written response to this client, I ensure that I provide clear and concise explanations, answers to his questions and status updates of the ongoing appeals. Through managing the client’s expectations in respect to outcomes of the appeals and also the timeframes involved in processing them, I have to consistently remind the client of appropriate behaviour and language when dealing with the CSA. While I do not mirror the client’s language, I do tailor my written communications so they can be easily comprehended by the intended reader. My ability to adopt a style of written communication that is applicable to a wide range of audiences has been instrumental to my success.
Ability to identify and report on key information for the preparation of reports and advice to key stakeholders, with attention to detail
As a self-motivated person, I present as a professional individual capable of high levels of organisation to drive business projects to success. Performing in my position at the Child Support Agency, I am adept at communicating to multi-tiered internal and external stakeholders via verbal and written approaches, consistently building quality relationships in order to cultivate collaborative work practices and meet organisational objectives.
Not only do I have the ability to maintain accurate records and reports, I also have a clear understanding of the requirements in following strict compliance legislation and frameworks when preparing reports for stakeholders. Possessing a keen eye for detail, I drew on this knowledge in my position with the Child Support Agency when tasked with the review of customer financial records and asset registers to assess possible tax fraud. On completion of key data analysis, I collated this information into a descriptive and accurate report that was then escalated within the agency, following guidelines of internal protocols. In all interactions, including when delivering reports and advice, I consistently adhere to high standards of oral and written communication skills that demonstrate my attention to detail, accuracy, conciseness, logical reasoning, clarity and language, in a tone that is appropriate for my intended audience. Proven in this responsibility, I have demonstrated my ability to identify discrepancies and report on these for further review of key information sourced.
During my tenure acting as the Team Leader of the Deceased Customer Management Team (DCM), I was instrumental in the coordination of the final transition of DCM Perth to Newcastle. In coordinating the transition, I determined that a graduated transfer of each team member’s caseload was required. Acknowledging staff morale was low as a result of the transition, I drove the delivery of team-building exercises, encouraged staff to voice their concerns to me, and introduced team activities such as a communal morning tea. As a result, team morale lifted and they became more motivated. In appreciation for their continued support to DCM, I also assisted in the transition of the team into their new positions through management of their training schedules, in collaboration with the new Team Leader, both verbally and via written communication. Possessing a communication style that is open, clear, transparent and respectful to an often-diverse set of needs in a variety of settings, I was successful in negotiating complex interactions, finding resolutions that provided a supportive atmosphere and clear outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing work priorities to meet tight deadlines, and to work professionally to complete tasks as an individual and as a member of a team
Displaying excellent organisational and planning skills, I manage a personal workload with often time conflicting priorities within demanding environments. Proficient in time management and organisational skills, I attribute my career success to my capacity to set work priorities and deadline schedules. Although performing in a part time capacity, I manage a full time workload and consistently achieve amongst the highest statistics at the Child Support Agency (CSA).
In my position as Team Leader of Deceased Customer Management (DCM), I assessed workload by priority and tasks required. Accountable for the allocation of work to team members, I would consider what strengths or specialised skills would be required to complete any given task. My extensive knowledge of the sorting and reporting systems allowed me to review the work at different times throughout the day and reassess work distributions as new work arrived. Additionally, I maintained a constant understanding of the individual needs and requirements within the team to ensure that staff had an optimum environment in which to manage their workload whilst also meeting their individual work preferences. The results of my strong ability to manage multiple commitments with ease and efficiency, whilst performing in difficult environments with minimal supervision, has provided me with a strong reputation among peers and management.
A self-motivated and results-orientated professional, I take responsibility for achieving outcomes within my position at the CSA. My accomplishments within this position include meeting targets, mentoring and training staff and customers, leading by example, and supporting improvements to systems and procedures. Demonstrating a high level of motivation, personal drive and integrity, I have successfully balanced work with the ability to multitask and remain focused. My career to date has involved diverse responsibilities, which have enabled me to develop excellent personal and professional skills.
Showing a commitment to supporting a positive team culture, I promote collective achievements and contributions to shared goals, while acknowledging the individual strengths and abilities of each team member. Extending this model beyond the team has seen me successfully build trusting relationships to drive and deliver on business objectives, as well as supplying quality information to all stakeholders.
With a history of service within various Government agencies, I possess a high-level knowledge of public service professionalism, and am able to wholly subscribe to its ideals. I also thoroughly comprehend organisational structure and culture and their impact on the professional execution of my duties.
Knowledge of labour market statistics and/or social science statistics
Through my regular review of quarterly update publications, I maintain a sound knowledge of the Australian Labour Market. By consulting with the Department of Employment, I am aware of the data obtained through the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Labour Force surveys that provide labour market trends across states, territories and industries. With a commitment to professional development and learning, these are publications I would envisage as forming part of my regular reading to increase my understanding of the impact labour market trends have on not only the economy, but also on the work force and the role the Fair Work Ombudsman provides.
Possessing a sound understanding of statistics through my positions within the Child Support Agency, I am confident that this transferrable knowledge can be applied to Australian social science statistics. Passionate about the opportunity to fulfil the position of Analyst and become an asset to the organisation, I will embrace the learning and delivery of guidance to the Fair Work Act and the interaction it presents with social science statistics in the Australian national workplace relations system. Additionally, I am committed to working within the scope of responsibility and adhering to the escalation of matters outside jurisdiction.
Whilst employed in the Public Service, I am committed to embracing the numerous policies and procedures developed to protect employees and management. With a sound knowledge of the opportunity within The Strategic Research, Analysis and Reporting team, I am enthusiastic in providing ongoing research and reporting requirements of the Fair Work Ombudsman. Committed to becoming a valuable team member, I am confident in my ability to deliver on the expectations of producing accurate operational reports, analysing internal and external data, such as Labour Market and economic trends to assist in organisational decision-making. Possessing the understanding of the Australian labour market and the current issues in Australian workplace relations, I will drive achievements of strategic objectives by providing high quality, accessible, reliable and meaningful intelligence confirmed by my strong research and data analysis skills. Additionally, I am passionate about the prospect of working in an atmosphere that strives to provide a positive impact within the Australian community by promoting harmonious, productive and cooperative workplace relations through ensuring compliance to workplace laws.
