Team Leader - Parliamentary Security Operations Room (PSOR)

Job Details

Job Title: Team Leader - Parliamentary Security Operations Room (PSOR)

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 28 July 2026 

Contact: David Boxshall, 02 6277 8847, david.boxshall@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is seeking a Parliamentary Service Level 4 Team Leader – Parliamentary Security Operations Room (PSOR) within the Security Operations Branch. In this role, you will support the safe, secure and effective operation of Australian Parliament House by supervising PSOR operators during shift and contributing to the delivery of 24/7 security monitoring, control room operations and incident response.

You will provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and support to team members, ensuring operational tasks are completed accurately, professionally and in accordance with established procedures. The role requires a practical and responsive leader who can apply sound judgement, maintain situational awareness and provide clear direction during routine operations, emerging issues and critical incidents.

This role is suited to someone who can work under general direction, take responsibility for their own work and support others to meet agreed standards. You will need to communicate clearly and respectfully with internal and external stakeholders, escalate matters appropriately and ensure information is accurate, timely and aligned to operational priorities. You will also contribute to a professional, courteous and values-based team environment by modelling accountability, impartiality, respect and resilience.

Success in this role requires the ability to remain composed in a high-risk, high-tempo environment, adapt to changing operational priorities and support coordinated responses during incidents. You will be expected to manage competing demands, maintain operational control, support shift continuity through accurate handovers and documentation and contribute to the ongoing effectiveness of PSOR operations.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a capable and composed operational leader who can work under limited direction, exercise sound judgement and support the effective delivery of Parliamentary Security Operations Room functions in a high-risk, high-tempo environment.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong supervisory capability, provide clear direction during routine operations and critical incidents and make timely, practical decisions while maintaining situational awareness and operational control.

You will communicate confidently and professionally with team members, senior stakeholders and high office holders when required, ensuring information is accurate, appropriate and aligned to operational priorities.

You will model professional courtesy, discretion, accountability and resilience and contribute to a disciplined, respectful and values-based team environment that maintains performance through changing priorities, pressure and uncertainty.

Our ideal candidate will:
 

• Have demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff in a security, control room or operational environment.
• Provide clear direction, guidance and support to team members during routine operations, emerging issues and critical incidents.
• Apply sound judgement and make timely, practical decisions in dynamic, high-pressure and time-critical situations.
• Maintain situational awareness, prioritise competing operational demands and support coordinated responses in a high-risk, high-tempo environment.
• Work effectively under general direction, taking responsibility for their own work while supporting others to meet agreed standards.
• Communicate clearly, respectfully and confidently with team members, internal and external stakeholders, and senior stakeholders when required.
• Remain composed, professional and resilient during periods of pressure, uncertainty or changing operational priorities.
• Ensure operational records, handovers, incident reports and other documentation are accurate, timely and completed in accordance with procedures.
• Model DPS values by acting with accountability, impartiality, respect, discretion and professional courtesy in all operational interactions.

Job Specific Requirements

• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Confidential/Highly Protected/Secret) security clearance.
• The successful applicant will be required to work shift work, including day, evening and night shifts, on a rotating 9-week roster to support 24/7 PSOR operations.
   

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: Security Operations 

Section: Security Control and Preparedness 

Immediate supervisor: Manager PSOR

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

• Lead and supervise PSOR operators during shift, ensuring effective delivery of 24/7 security monitoring and control room operations.
• Assist with managing roster arrangements to ensure operational capacity is always maintained, escalating resourcing matters in accordance with established procedures.
• Manage day-to-day PSOR activities and provide real-time direction, support, and escalation during routine operations and incidents.
• Foster a disciplined, professional, and high-performing operational environment aligned to Parliamentary Service Values. 
• Provide leadership and decision-making during security incidents and emergency situations, ensuring timely and coordinated responses.
• Undertake responsibilities as the after-hours Building Warden representative, supporting incident control arrangements and initial response coordination until relieved or escalated.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures and Code of Practice Frameworks, and ensure adherence to Parliamentary Privilege obligations.
• Oversee the management, progression and resolution of infrastructure faults and system issues and when applicable, implement alternate and temporary security risk mitigation measures.
• Prepare shift handovers, to ensure continuity of information and situational awareness across shifts.
• Act as a key liaison point between internal and external stakeholders, engaging confidently with occupants across APH, ensuring messaging is accurate, appropriate, and aligned to operational priorities.
• Oversee the completion and quality assurance of incident reports, logs, and other operational documentation. 
   

Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff in a security, control room, or operational environment.
• Proven ability to manage incidents and apply sound judgement in time-critical and high-pressure situations.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to engage with senior stakeholders and provide clear direction during incidents.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing operational demands whilst maintaining situational awareness.
• Experience or knowledge of security systems and emergency management frameworks, including control room operations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply and display DPS values, including being committed to service, ethical, respectful, accountable, and impartial behaviours. 
   

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.

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

Currently, the salary range for this position is $83,415 - $90,639 per annum.

Conditions of Employment

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

• Australian citizenship: Section 22 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires that employees of the Parliamentary Service are generally required to be Australian citizens. However, if you are not an Australian citizen you may be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to termination of employment.
  
  
• Loss and resumption of Australian citizenship: Under historical provisions of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 (section 17), some Australian citizens automatically lost their citizenship if they voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country between 26 January 1949 and 3 April 2002. This loss occurred by operation of law and may not have been known to the individual at the time. Although these provisions were repealed in 2002 to allow dual citizenship, the repeal did not restore citizenship that was previously lost. Individuals who believe they may be affected are recommended to seek advice about resuming their Australian citizenship. Further information, is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• Applicants who progress to the offer stage with our department who have been affected by the loss of citizenship as outlined above will be required to demonstrate within a reasonable time that they have resumed, or are actively undertaking the process to resume, Australian citizenship.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• External Work Approval: Employees must seek approval for any paid employment outside the department and declare voluntary activities that could impact their role.