Organisation: Australian Crime Commission
Job Title: Support Officer – Personnel Security (APS5)
Word Limit: Max 350 words per criterion
Location: Canberra
- Demonstrated understanding of Personnel Security Vetting requirements and the ability to undertake a wide variety of tasks including analysis and assessment of employment screening information;
I hold demonstrated extensive experience in Personnel Security Vetting requirements gained through the course of my career, specifically working for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Australian Federal Police.
My current role working as a Senior Customs Officer with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for the Organisational Suitability Assessment Taskforce requires me on a daily basis to vet individual applications. I undertake vetting processes in accordance with security and legislative requirements and ensure that these are adhered to for each application. I apply my analytical skills in order to ensure accuracy with zero errors occurring. I complete this daily task by firstly extracting the application out of a queue system then analysing each application’s content on its own merits, compare applicant details against the statutory declaration and methodically assessing the information on the application. I take extra care in analysing details such as names, previous alias, addresses, date of birth and compare information against what is contained in statutory declarations.
While managing the vetting process I simultaneously manage strict deadlines and produce outcomes adhering to these. I arrange and allocate my time accordingly by collating the specific information, assessing the importance of particular security levels and verifying information for analysis. When ascertaining the correct security level I analyse key information and identify discrepancies pertaining to the information not matching in comparison to the integral database. When anomalies are found I contact the applicant and verify the collation of the information and refer this to another department for verification.
I developed my vetting skills further while I was engaged in the role of Security Officer for the Australian Federal Police, there I engaged in security vetting for internal and external applicants. The vetting process involved me regularly liaising with other Government departments and agencies, processing security clearance documents, providing advice to senior managers on all matters pertaining to personnel, vetting administration and conducting security briefings on vetting and similar matters to a vast audience.
- Ability to work positively in a team environment, working collaboratively with psychologists and others to develop recommendations;
Throughout my career I have worked in a diverse range of teams where I have maintained an open communication style and adopted a collaborative approach. Working in Government departments and agencies has allowed me to develop a unique communication style that I interchange to the applicable audience in which I communicate with. This style has assisted me in maintaining rapport with whom I am communicating and helps me achieved positive business outcomes.
I currently work in a team with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service called the Organisational Suitability Assessments Taskforce, who primarily undertake personnel security vetting and process applications. Within this Taskforce I am a proactive team member and enjoy working alongside others to accomplish our work goals and activities.
My main role within this team is to process applications in accordance with the specific process and legislation. Weekly and daily I coordinate and assign work to others. I complete this by allocating a variety of applications to different team members on the level of priority and urgency. The work load I manage is high volume, which requires an advanced level of organisation and coordination. I ensure time constraints are met by discussing this with my team members and allocate applicable applications by splitting them into alphabetical categories. Subsequently, I divide this category into manageable portions of work according to each individual, in order of urgency and processing time frame. After this action has been completed, I then process and vet the applications assigned to me by following the correct processing procedures and ensure the accuracy of details entered. Even when I am undertaking my own allocated work tasks, I actively assist my other team members in a positive way to contribute collaboratively and to ensure key priorities are meet.
Throughout this process I communicate effectively with my team members and external stakeholders to ensure consistency and compliance with the process and legislation. At times I provide advice on the process and demonstrate my knowledge on key specialised areas whilst maintaining an approachable manner. I find this assists with identifying issues and increases resolution.
- Demonstrated well-developed oral and written communication skills, and the ability to use ACC Systems and office technology and information management systems at a high level;
In my role as Senior Customs Officer I produce written communication to assist in finalising the personnel security vetting process. Over time I have developed a concise and sharp manner in which I produce written material such as emails. While preparing any written correspondence I adhere to guidelines and provide specific information on each application received on a number of criteria. This includes chasing omitted information from an application or relaying this information in a written format back to the applicant to ensure accuracy and compliance with legislation. In addition, I communicate in written format with other Government departments seeking specific information and clarification on applicant details to meet security levels. This communication is primarily in email format to the client or internal stakeholder.
I demonstrate verbal communication on a daily basis with applicants over the phone to obtain information. This involves seeking basic details to ensure each application can be finalised accordingly and obtaining clarification on details within their application for processing purposes. This verbal communication can sometimes be difficult as an applicant’s perception of obtaining this information can been seen as an invasion of privacy or a negative approach from their employer on their employment. In order to manage this situation, I use a courteous manner and appropriate demeanour to identify and resolve any issues that I discern while communicating with the applicant. It is vital for me to hold an empathic view and manner, as the customer may feel that their job is at risk when I am contacting them and asking specific questions pertaining to their personal details and information.
I currently use a system called Objective, which is an information management system. I use this on a daily basis to record data, process applications, and source information. This is my core working tool to process and coordinate my daily work tasks. To assist me with operating this system in an efficient manner, I created my own user system which resulted in me being well‑versed and allowed me to facilitate the use of it used in a timely manner.
- The ability to manage a dynamic workload, meet deadlines and utilise a positive and proactive approach to problem solving to provide excellent customer service;
The key skills that have allowed me to excel within my past and current roles are my developed written and verbal communication skills complemented by my ability to effectively meet deadlines. I reguarly communicate with an array of audiences, including team members, senior management, the general public, other Government agencies and external stakeholders to deliver compliant business outcomes.
My work tasks have varied over the roles I have worked in and it was paramount that I organised my time effectively to meet deadlines and address a dynamic workload. I use communication tools such as emails, document information systems and verbally liaise with external customers to provide a consultative approach and ensure that timeframes are met.
Customer service has been the most important aspect of any role I have engaged in, since my core responsibilities have included servicing and meeting customer expectations. While I deliver customer service I found that my problem solving skills came into play and assisted me with finding resolution that benefits both parties.
Recently I was required to complete a B244 form, which is used internally to request and verify information provided by an applicant. This form assists with verifying applicant details to ensure accuracy and efficiently when the security vetting process is undertaken. On one occasion I was completing a large batch of applications and was vetting personnel security checks when I came across an issue which included, two separate names that did not correspond. The name the applicant had provided did not match the system details. I was therefore unable to process the security check and needed to verify the information.
I took it upon myself to investigate and identify the issue by submitting the form to another security area for further vetting and clarification. Throughout this process I liaised with the customer and ensured that they were aware of what was occurring and explained the process I was undertaking. The final outcome was that a writing error had occurred and was misinterpreted. The applicant was provided with this feedback and requested to fill out a new form with the correct spelling of their name.
- Commitment to Work Health Safety and to the APS and ACC values, including demonstrated personal qualities of integrity, initiative, drive and adaptability
Within my career I have worked in organisations that have instilled within me the core values of how a person should behave whilst engaged in work activities and within a team environment. I have also adopted these values within my personal life and approach many situations in this manner.
Working in Government related roles has exposed me to the general public, key officials and senior management and this has heightened my awareness for work, health and safety. In addition, this has identified that I am responsible for their safety not just my own and other co‑workers. My approach extends to complying with related policies and procedures in which I have demonstrated my ability in my current and past roles.
The core values of integrity, initiative, drive and adaptability are paramount to success in any role as they form the foundation in which you should act and behave within a workplace. I have a strong commitment to work within these values and afforded the opportunity I would align my existing values to meet those of the organisation. Personally coming from a culturally sensitive background I have formed an approach that demonstrates respect and appreciation for diversity within the workplace. This approach assists me with dealing with sensitive discussions, communications and resolution of complex matters.
My work history, within various industries and organisations, demonstrates that I have the ability to adapt and that I possess the initiative to succeed. Working for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Department of Industry, Department of Housing and Community Services and the Australian Federal Police has developed my appreciation for working within organisations that are modelled by core values and behaviours expected of staff. This array of experience has allowed me to excel within my work environment and has provided me with the opportunity to contribute my personal qualities of integrity, initiative, drive and adaptability. I take pride in my current approach and I am seeking the next opportunity that allows me to apply my existing skills and develop further in key areas.
