Senior Guide

Job Details

Job Title: Senior Guide

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 20 June 2025

Contact: Deb Acland, 0262774103, deb.acland@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is seeking to fill the position of Senior Guide at the PSL 4 level to join the Visitor Engagement Section. This role is instrumental in upholding Parliament House’s standing as an iconic landmark and a site of national importance, ensuring that visitors gain a meaningful and engaging experience at the heart of Australian democracy.

Who we are looking for

The Senior Guide is responsible for delivering high quality, engaging tours to a variety of visitors, internal and external stakeholders, and guests of government at Australian Parliament House. The Senior Guide will provide mentoring and training support in the delivery of visitor services, specifically tours. The role may require representing the section in media and other public engagements.

Experience working in visitor services is highly desirable. If you believe you are a good fit for DPS, what we are looking for, and have the requisite skills, talent and aptitude to play a part in delivering exceptional visitor experiences, we would like to hear from you.  

The position requires the successful applicant to:

• Be walking and standing on a range of surfaces. It also requires talking and interacting with the public and building occupants for extended periods.
• Work on a roster where weekend, public holidays and some after-hours work may be required.
• Use voice amplification equipment for some aspects of the Tour Guide role will be required.
• Have a willingness to wear a uniform.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Obtain and maintain a working with vulnerable people card (WWVP).
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) 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 Service Level 4 

Branch: Parliamentary Engagement 

Section: Visitor Engagement 

Immediate supervisor: Parliamentary Services Manager 

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Service Level 4 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Deliver high quality, engaging tours for visitors of Parliament House, building occupants, Members of 
  Parliament, and guests of government. 
• Support daily floor operations as a member of the Visitor Engagement leadership team.
• Develop and maintain expertise in Australian Parliament House to train and support the guide team.
• As a mentor, develop and deliver training for guides in tour knowledge, delivery, engagement skills and 
  techniques.
• Perform promotional duties as needed, including the potential for on camera appearances for 
  promotional purposes.
• Perform administration and other duties as required by the management team.

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

1. Excellent communication skills:

• Highly developed interpersonal communication, public speaking and presentation skills, with 
  experience delivering high quality public tours.
• Ability to lead training and development programs to support a team of confident and effective guides, 
  who are able to explore diverse topics including political history, art, architecture, and the Australian 
  Parliament.
• Excellent English-speaking skills. 

2. Extensive experience in a customer service role:

• Experience delivering quality customer service for visitors, customers or guests, preferably in a 
  national cultural institution.
• Understanding of excellent customer service and ability to demonstrate daily. 

3. Supports the operations of the team:

• Ability to work as a flexible member of a team to support organisational goals, values and code of 
  conduct.
• An aptitude to take responsibility for allocated tasks and work in line with appropriate policy and work 
  procedures.
• The ability to support staff in the development of presentation skills and knowledge.

4. Strong organisational and time management skills:

• Demonstrated organisation skills including experience working with rosters, timesheets and 
  colleagues to meet deadlines and work responsibilities.
• Ability to use computer applications including Microsoft Office and bookings systems to support your 
  work. 

How to apply

Please upload your response to each of the four selection criteria, noting that each criteria has a word limit of 250 words.

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:  

•    access to flexible work arrangements 
•    ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
•    a competitive remuneration package
•    free secure underground parking
•    free gym membership and access to recreational facilities
•    on-site childcare, banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $80,672 - $87,659 per annum.

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.