Inspector Career Progression IRC - S130 Dispute Inspector Career Progression

SafeWork Executive Overview

Why are we in a s130 dispute? The PSA & VG believes SafeWork NSW has been in breach of the award by employing external candidates that do not hold the Advanced Diploma of Government Inspections. Attempts to resolve this issue with the SafeWork Executive have failed to resolve the matter. The PSA & VG took the matter to the membership for consultation. Members decided they wanted to have this matter resolved through the Industrial Relations Commission. The IRC has now requested the VG consult with the inspectorate with a view to proposing a solution that would avoid proceeding to a hearing. The only parties involved in this dispute are the DCS & the PSA VG. However, given the serious implications of this particular matter the VG has opted to include non PSA members in the information sessions only.

DEPARTMENT’S ASSURANCES Offered in letter from Martin Hoffman, Secretary dated 19 November 2018 To address the matters raised by the PSA in relation to the existing recruitment program the Department provides the following assurances (in additions to the comments provided in the SafeWork NSW Applicant Information Guide material) in relation to the current recruitment process:

VG/PSA Proposal Develop a framework to ensure adequate weighting is applied to applicants with regulatory and inspectorial knowledge, skills, & experience. That a State Inspector/ Assistant State Inspector form part of the recruitment/assessment panel. Recruitment for SI/ASI’s will include candidates being assessed for inspectorial and regulatory skills, as is required with entry level inspectors. Successful external candidates to be adequately assessed during the probationary period Ongoing development & promotion of the existing workforce Conduct to be assessed as rigorously for external applicants as internal applicants

Approach Make merit selection process more objective, less subjective Weight inspectorial skills/expertise to balance external applicant expertise Weighting designed to address risk vs value of external applicants Matrix to define critical areas and provide transparency and accountability of process Conduct and Performance to be better defined – common interpretation

Matrix Headings Inspector Qualifications Regulatory skills and experience WHS Qualifications WHS Skills and experience High level Skills and experience – Regulatory/WHS Other qualifications and skills in the field being sought ? what does this mean Industry skills and experience in the field being sought High level Skills and experience – ? in what things other skills and experience in the field being sought Communication Research / Analysis Project Management Strategic Leadership Has the person performed the role previously?  (addresses Performance +RISK)

How to Vote All PSA VG members will receive an email on Wednesday 18th September 2019 to vote on this matter. All vote will close on COB Friday 20th September 2019.