Library Chief of Staff

Job Details

Job Title: Library Chief of Staff

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 2

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 8 October 2025

Contact: Steven Fox, 02 6277 7102, steven.fox@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Parliamentary Library, Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Chief of Staff, within the Office of the Parliamentary Librarian.

The Chief of Staff reports directly to the Parliamentary Librarian and is responsible for providing high quality, stakeholder focused, responsive, integrated, and accountable services to the Library and the Parliament. They will be required to provide high quality strategic and technical advice to the Parliamentary Librarian, members of Library’s SES team and other internal and external stakeholders.

The Parliamentary Librarian is required by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to, among other things:

‘… provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in support of their parliamentary and representational roles.’

The Act requires the Parliamentary Librarian to perform this function:

• In a timely, impartial and confidential manner; and
• Maintaining the highest standards of scholarship and integrity; and
• On the basis of equality of access for all Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, parliamentary committees and staff acting on behalf of Senators, Members or parliamentary committees; and
• Having regard to the independence of Parliament from the Executive Government of the Commonwealth.

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will have experience in leading the strategic and operational management of organisations. The candidate should have a track record in leading teams, drive a high-performance culture, engage and motivate staff, and ensure the team is set up for success as we implement cultural and strategic renewal. Key personal attributes for success are strong personal accountability, an ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships, being agile and adaptable, and ability to deal with ambiguity and change.

Job Specific Requirements: 

•  The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Confidential/Highly Protected/Secret) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 2 

Branch: Parliamentary Library 

Section: Office of the Parliamentary Librarian

Immediate supervisor: Parliamentary Librarian

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Executive Level 2 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Effective management of the Office of the Parliamentary Librarian including the areas of service delivery, stakeholder engagement, human resources, and financial management.
2. Providing high quality analysis and advice to clients and internal stakeholders in relation to the work of the Parliamentary Library.
3. Research and prepare strategic advice and communications to the Parliamentary Librarian, Senior Executive and Senior Managers Forum on diverse, complex, and sensitive matters to facilitate informed decision making.
4. Lead the work program of external facing teams in the Library including client relations, central enquiries, publications, external engagement and communications and supervise, mentor and/or coach staff.
5. Provide issues management and support, responding to emerging issues to ensure effective resolution with minimal risk to the Library and the parliament.
6. Oversee the Office of the Parliamentary Librarian’s relationships with key stakeholders, including acting as the point of contact for the Presiding Officers’ advisers and offices.
7. Contributing to the management of the Parliamentary Library and Office of the Parliamentary Librarian through participation in relevant management groups and undertaking project work and policy development.

Actively develop effective, collaborative, and strategic working relationships across the organisation, with Parliamentary Departments, and with clients and other organisations and stakeholders.

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

Selection Criteria

Achieve results:

• Builds capability and responsiveness
• Marshals expertise internally and externally
• Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty
• Ensures closure and delivers on intended results

Cultivates productive working relationships:

• Develops internal and external relationships to support work objectives, including effective team building and management
• Facilitates cooperation and works collaboratively
• Values individual differences and diversity
• Works constructively to resolve conflict

Personal and professional qualities:

• Manages a complex team including the efficient allocation of tasks, balancing competing priorities and ensuring that client services are delivered on time and to a high-quality, guides and develops staff in client relations, stakeholder management and external engagement
• Possesses strong client service ethic
• Demonstrates probity and accountability, initiative, resilience, and good judgement

Communicates with influence:

• Communicates clearly and appropriately with clients, stakeholders, team members and peers
  Listens, understands, and adapts to audience
• Negotiates persuasively
• Tailors responses according to client requirements

Understanding of the parliamentary and political environment:

• Knowledge of the context, role and operations of Parliament
• Understands the role and function of key parliamentary bodies and processes
• Deals sensitively, impartially, and objectively with controversial issues

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:  

• flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational needs of the roles
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
• a competitive remuneration package
• free on-site parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities available a APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

An attractive salary, which could be negotiated with the successful candidate, is on offer.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

•    Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

•    Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

•    Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.