Program Officer

About Us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone’s experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government.  We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses.  We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

You can find out more about our Ministers, leadership and entities here: Department of Government Services. 

About the Branch/Group

The purpose of this group is to make it easier for customers and businesses to engage with government. It is accountable for strategy and policy development, regulatory design, sector support and program design and the delivery of regulatory services to – and in the best interests of – Victorians. It aims to provide consistently great customer experiences in the delivery of scalable, efficient and effective services. Managing the delivery of services with a balance of expertise and speed, while driving the digital transformation of those services.  

The Sector Engagement and Program Delivery Division provides sector support, management and oversight of quality delivery of funded programs within the Local Government and Consumer Affairs portfolios and output responsibilities. The Division provides effective administration and oversight for funded programs, understanding the impact of the grants on the sectors; and providing continuous analysis and assessment of programs to ensure grants meet portfolio priorities and outcomes.  

The area works closely with industry, stakeholder, and government partners to ensure effective co-design and feedback in administering priorities. As part of a suite of sector supports and programs, the Division also supports emergency management preparedness and recovery for local government. The Division works with the Victorian Government’s emergency management sector; and municipal, regional and state tiers. In addition to emergency support programs, the Division supports the department to meet their legislative emergency management responsibilities and support communities.  

The Emergency Management branch administers a range of funded programs provided to the community and oversees DGS’ emergency management and liaison function. Teams support strategic program and capability review; design; funding provision and administration; and stakeholder management for portfolio responsibilities across the Consumer Affairs and Local Government outputs.  

The Emergency Management function works across different government tiers (including municipal, agency, and Cabinet layers) to enable the department and key stakeholders to meet their legislative emergency management responsibilities to support Victorian communities. This includes developing procedures and policies to increase capacity, capability, collaboration and resilience before, during and after emergences; providing authoritative advice to executives and Ministers; on emergency management matters; and engaging with key internal and external stakeholders on emergency management priorities.   

The function oversees the delivery of the department’s 24/7 operational responses and delivers key departmental responsibilities within the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP). Teams liaise closely with stakeholders and subject matter experts to uplift organisational resilience to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and other significant disruptions.  

About the Role

The Program Officer supports the development and delivery of key emergency management operational activities, projects and initiatives to ensure the Department of Government Services can deliver its roles and responsibilities under the State Emergency Management Plan. 

The Program Officer is part of a dedicated team that works collaboratively and effectively within the Sector Engagement and Program Delivery Division, and with key internal stakeholders across the department, other government departments and agencies, peak bodies and the local government and other sectors, to deliver the department’s emergency management priorities.   

Key Accountabilities

The role requires the ability to support effective service delivery by recommending resource allocation, preparing high-quality reports, briefs, and correspondence on complex organisational issues, and applying strong policy expertise to develop practical solutions. It also involves developing and implementing operational policies and guidelines that improve processes and support consistent outcomes within the work area.

About You

The ideal applicant will have a strong understanding of the Victorian emergency management sector and the key issues influencing the Department of Government Services' (DGS) emergency management responsibilities. They should be able to provide clear, well-informed written and verbal advice, build and maintain productive relationships with a broad range of government stakeholders, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to understand stakeholder perspectives, tailor communication styles, and promote an inclusive, respectful workplace that values diversity and collaboration.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate adaptability, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They should be experienced in planning and delivering projects, coordinating teams, solving complex problems using critical thinking, and responding effectively to changing priorities. A collaborative approach, combined with the ability to drive innovation, support colleagues, monitor progress, and deliver outcomes aligned with organisational goals, is essential for success in the role

This role is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

You must be an Australian citizen, as this role requires a security clearance.

For more information, please see the Position Description (insert Dropbox link).

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on XX/XX/XXXX. All applications should include:  

·       a resume; and  

·       a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.