Assistant Director Security Operations PSOR and Emergency Management

Australian Department of Parliamentary Services; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) in Canberra is recruiting an Assistant Director for Security Operations PSOR and Emergency Management within Security Operations. The role provides operational leadership across the PSOR and APH emergency management capability, with delegated authority and liaison to senior stakeholders during incidents.

You will guide real-time security responses, set standards for integrated security and emergency arrangements, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational teams or specialist functions.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and deliver outcomes.
• Experience designing, coordinating and evaluating exercises.
• Strong written and verbal communication for senior stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain Negative Vetting 1 clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the PSOR and emergency management capability across APH, including real-time incident responses.
• Set priorities and standards for integrated security and emergency management arrangements.
• Strengthen preparedness through exercises, training, assurance activities and after-action reviews.
• Analyse operational and incident information to identify risks, vulnerabilities and interdependencies.
• Provide clear and authoritative advice to senior executives and stakeholders during incidents.
• Prepare high-level briefs, reports and governance documentation.
• Lead reform and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational capability.
• Build productive relationships across the Parliamentary Security Service, AFP, ACT emergency services and internal APH stakeholders.

Skills

Operational leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Written and verbal communication

Risk assessment

Education

Diploma/qualification in emergency management or security (e.g., Diploma of Public Safety: Emergency Management)

Job description

Assistant Director Security Operations PSOR and Emergency Management

Australian Department of Parliamentary Services - Canberra ACT

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Executive Level 1 Assistant Director Security Operations PSOR and Emergency Management within Security Operations.

The Security Operations Branch within the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) Security Division plays a critical role in protecting Australian Parliament House (APH), supporting a safe, secure and resilient environment for parliamentarians, staff, visitors and the broader parliamentary community. The Security Control & Preparedness section brings together operational security, incident coordination and emergency preparedness to support an integrated, contemporary and effective response capability across the parliamentary precinct.

AsAssistant Director Security Operations, Parliamentary Security Operations Room (PSOR) and Emergency Management, you will provide operational leadership and specialist advice across the PSOR and APH emergency management capability. The position also holds the APH Deputy Warden delegation, supporting the Director/Chief Warden and other lead response personnel and agencies during security and emergency incidents. The role requires the ability to make timely, defensible decisions in a sensitive and highly scrutinised operating environment, often while balancing competing operational, security and stakeholder considerations.

Working under limited direction, you will:

• Lead the PSOR and emergency management capability across APH, including coordinated real-time security and emergency incident responses
• Set priorities and standards for integrated security and emergency management arrangements
• Strengthen preparedness through exercises, training, assurance activities, after-action reviews and continuous improvement
• Analyse operational and incident information to identify risks, vulnerabilities and interdependencies
• Provide clear and authoritative advice to senior executives and stakeholders, including during incidents
• Prepare and quality assure high-level briefs, reports and governance documentation
• Lead reform and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational capability
• Build productive relationships across the Parliamentary Security Service, Australian Federal Police, ACT emergency services and internal APH stakeholders.

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Executive Level 1 Assistant Director Security Operations PSOR and Emergency Management within Security Operations.

The Security Operations Branch within the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) Security Division plays a critical role in protecting Australian Parliament House (APH), supporting a safe, secure and resilient environment for parliamentarians, staff, visitors and the broader parliamentary community. The Security Control & Preparedness section brings together operational security, incident coordination and emergency preparedness to support an integrated, contemporary and effective response capability across the parliamentary precinct.

AsAssistant Director Security Operations, Parliamentary Security Operations Room (PSOR) and Emergency Management, you will provide operational leadership and specialist advice across the PSOR and APH emergency management capability. The position also holds the APH Deputy Warden delegation, supporting the Director/Chief Warden and other lead response personnel and agencies during security and emergency incidents. The role requires the ability to make timely, defensible decisions in a sensitive and highly scrutinised operating environment, often while balancing competing operational, security and stakeholder considerations.

Working under limited direction, you will:

• Lead the PSOR and emergency management capability across APH, including coordinated real-time security and emergency incident responses
• Set priorities and standards for integrated security and emergency management arrangements
• Strengthen preparedness through exercises, training, assurance activities, after-action reviews and continuous improvement
• Analyse operational and incident information to identify risks, vulnerabilities and interdependencies
• Provide clear and authoritative advice to senior executives and stakeholders, including during incidents
• Prepare and quality assure high-level briefs, reports and governance documentation
• Lead reform and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational capability
• Build productive relationships across the Parliamentary Security Service, Australian Federal Police, ACT emergency services and internal APH stakeholders.

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.