Assistant Director Security Operations Psor And Emergency Management

Parliament Of Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration

Free on-site parking

Free gym membership

Childcare (pending availability)

Banking services

Post office

Value-for-money dining options

Job summary

The Parliament of Australia seeks an experienced and resilient leader to oversee Security Operations at Parliamentary Executive Level 1. You will lead the PSOR and coordinate emergency management across APH, setting direction and ensuring integrated security and preparedness.

This role requires strategic thinking, strong judgement under pressure, and the ability to translate lessons from incidents into practical improvements while upholding Parliamentary Service values.

Qualifications

• Proven capability leading operational teams or specialist functions, setting clear direction and delivering outcomes through others.
• Ability to remain composed, assess complex information and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Experience designing, coordinating and evaluating exercises, training and after-action reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Security Operations Room (PSOR) and emergency management capability across APH.
• Set direction, priorities and standards for integrated security and emergency management arrangements.
• Lead reform initiatives and drive continuous improvement and sustainable change.
• Provide clear, authoritative advice to senior stakeholders during incidents and in business-as-usual contexts.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Exercise design

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Parliamentary values

Education

Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management)

Job description

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced and resilient leader who can operate confidently in complex, dynamic and occasionally high-pressure environments. You will combine strong operational judgement with the ability to think strategically, lead people, influence stakeholders and translate lessons from incidents and exercises into practical improvements.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven capability leading operational teams or specialist functions, setting clear direction, balancing competing priorities and delivering outcomes through others.
• The ability to remain composed, assess complex information and make sound decisions in dynamic or high-pressure situations.
• Experience designing, coordinating and evaluating exercises, training, after-action reviews and other preparedness activities.
• The ability to identify operational risks, vulnerabilities and systemic issues and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including preparing concise briefs, reports and governance material and providing authoritative advice to senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively across operational, technical, executive and external agency environments.
• The ability to lead reform, embed positive change and translate lessons learned into sustainable improvements in capability.
• A professional, impartial and accountable approach consistent with Parliamentary Service values, particularly when operating in sensitive or high-pressure environments.

Qualifications and experience

A nationally recognised qualification in emergency management, public safety, government security or a related field, such as the PAU50120 Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) or equivalent, is highly desirable. Experience in a security control room, emergency coordination, protective security or incident management environment is also desirable.

Job Specific Requirements

• Some out-of-hours work may be required to support incidents, exercises, preparedness activities or other operational demands.
• 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 1

Branch: Security Operations

Section: Security Operations (PSS)

Immediate supervisor: Director Security Control & Preparedness

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 Strategically

• Lead the Parliamentary Security Operations Room (PSOR) and emergency management capability across APH.
• Set direction, priorities and standards for integrated security and emergency management arrangements, aligning operational capability with organisational objectives.
• Lead reform initiatives and drive continuous improvement, embedding sustainable behavioural and organisational change.

Achieve Results

• Lead and manage the PSOR to deliver coordinated, real-time security and emergency incident responses across APH.
• Ensure systems, workforce capability, and operational frameworks enable effective incident management and preparedness outcomes.
• Plan, coordinate and evaluate emergency preparedness activities, including exercises, training, and assurance programs, translating outcomes into measurable capability uplift.

Communicate with Influence

• Provide clear, authoritative advice and direction during incidents and in business-as-usual environments to senior executives and stakeholders.
• Prepare and quality assure high-level briefing materials, reports, after-action reviews, and governance documentation.
• Lead communications and information flow during incidents, ensuring timely, accurate and coordinated messaging.

Think Critically

• Analyse operational and incident information to identify risks, vulnerabilities and interdependencies.
• Develop evidence‑based recommendations to strengthen security and emergency management capability.
• Apply sound judgement in dynamic environments to support decision‑making and prioritisation.

Cultivate Productive Working Relationships

• Build and sustain effective relationships with Parliamentary Security Service (PSS), Australian Federal Police (AFP), ACT emergency services and internal APH stakeholders.
• Foster collaboration across operational, technical and governance functions to achieve integrated outcomes.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to support whole‑of‑site preparedness and response arrangements.

Display Resilience and Integrity

• Exercise position responsibilities to support the Director/Chief Warden and other lead response personnel or agencies during security and emergency incidents.
• Model Parliamentary Service values, promoting a professional, accountable and high‑performing team culture.
• Operate with integrity and resilience in high‑pressure environments, supporting senior leadership, maintaining composure and impartiality.
• Ensure compliance with security frameworks, information management Code of Practice requirements and Parliamentary Privilege obligations.

Selection Criteria

Leads Strategically

Demonstrated leadership and management capability in overseeing operational teams or specialist functions in complex security, emergency management or control room environments, including setting clear direction, managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes through others.

Achieves Results

Demonstrated experience in designing, coordinating and evaluating emergency preparedness activities, including exercises, training, after-action reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Communicates with Influence

Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise, high-quality written briefs, reports and governance documentation, and provide clear, authoritative verbal advice to senior stakeholders.

Thinks Critically

Proven ability to analyse complex operational and incident issues, identify systemic risks and vulnerabilities, and develop evidence‑based recommendations to inform decision‑making and capability uplift.

Cultivates Productive Working Relationships

Demonstrated ability to build, influence and sustain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships to support integrated security and emergency management outcomes.

Parliamentary Service Values

Proven ability to lead reform and drive sustained positive culture change, delivering continuous improvement outcomes and organisational benefits.

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.

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 at 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.