How to Apply

Hinchinbrook Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer. Our selection process applies merit-based selection techniques to find the best person for the job. 

Please read this information below carefully, as it will help you to understand the Council's selection process and help you to prepare your application. Shortlisting and selection are based on the assessment of each application in relation to the selection criteria provided for the advertised vacancy.

Recruitment and Selection Process

1. Advertising – A position is usually advertised for a period of 14 days.
2. Short Listing - Selection for subsequent stages is based on your written application. During the short listing process, the information you provide in your application is assessed on how well your knowledge, skills and abilities meet each of the selection criteria. Short listing is usually performed by a panel of two to three people. It is important that you demonstrate your ability to meet the selection criteria by concisely summarising your qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
3. Structured Interview – The selection panel will ask you a series of pre-determined questions. Be familiar with the selection criteria as you should expand on points from your written application and raise additional experiences and examples as required.

After the interview, the selection panel will assess your performance. Other selection techniques may be included as part of the interview process which you will be advised of in advance if applicable. 

4. Aptitude Tests - You may be asked to demonstrate particular knowledge or skills by completing an assessment either in person or online. For example, you may be asked to provide examples of previous work, to participate in a work assessment or to provide a brief on a particular subject matter.
5. Reference Checks - Make sure you have nominated at least two recent and relevant supervisory/management referees who can support your claims regarding qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reference checking is usually only conducted for the applicants with the strongest overall claim for the position.
6. Pre-employment Medicals and Criminal History Checks – Prior to an offer of employment being made to the preferred candidate a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and criminal history check will be completed. Certain positions will also require a full pre-employment medical check prior to an offer of employment being made.
7. Verbal Offer/Written Offer - The successful candidate is notified as soon as possible after the selection panel decision is confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer. Then all other interviewed candidates are notified by phone or by letter of the selection decision. Feedback on your performance at interview may be provided at this time if requested.

How to Apply

Hinchinbrook Shire Council employment opportunities will be listed on our Positions Vacant,  before beginning the application process please make sure you have read the entire application package for the position. Once you have read the application package and are ready to proceed

1. Complete an ‘Application for Employment’ Form. The employment application form provides Council with important information such as your contact information, work history, qualifications, licences, your working rights and health information. The employment application form also informs you of privacy information relative to your application.
   (NOTE: you do not need to complete the employment history, education or licences/tickets sections if you have this information detailed in your resume).

2. Include a Cover Letter (not essential). A cover letter is a short and specific letter that accompanies your application for the purpose of introducing yourself and highlighting your key skills, experience and achievements as they relate to the role.
3. Provide statements addressing each selection criterion. They should concisely and adequately illustrate how you meet the criteria. Each criterion should be addressed separately and should provide evidence of your merit with examples. For applicants with limited work experience can also detail transferable knowledge, skills or ability in areas relevant to the selection criteria that you have developed outside the workplace as evidence of your capacity to meet the criteria, e.g. a leadership role in a volunteer organisation. Please note: an address to each of the individual selection criterion is essential for your application to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
4. An easily read and concise resume. Include contact information (full name, address and telephone number) and a summary of your work experience detailing where you have worked, positions held, periods of employment and brief details of duties performed and/or achievements.
5. Include at least two work-related referees. Provide their names, position titles, relationship to you (eg. direct supervisor), addresses and telephone numbers. No written references are required. We will not contact your referees until we have your permission to do so.
   (NOTE: For applicants with limited work experience we will consider reference checks from teachers etc).

Where to send applications

Human Resources
Hinchinbrook Shire Council                              

PO Box 366
Ingham Qld 4850

Or email to:
applications@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

Further Information

For more information or clarification about the selection process or the advertised role please contact Human Resource Services on (07) 4776 4767 or via email applications@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.