About us

Employment opportunities

Graduate recruitment

Applications for the 2009 Graduate Program have now closed.

Our people

Some personal perspectives from our current and former graduates.

Our 2009 Graduate Program

Who are we looking for?

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is looking for up to 60 graduates from all academic disciplines, but we are particularly interested in:

Before you apply, please ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for graduate employment. You MUST be an Australian citizen or receive Australian citizenship status by January 2009 AND you MUST have completed an undergraduate degree by no later than January 2009.

In addition to your academic qualifications (reflecting strong academic achievement), we are seeking candidates with many of the following:

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts values a diverse workforce.

Our selection process focuses on all of the attributes of each individual. Our graduates usually reflect a broad range of backgrounds, study areas and levels, work and life experiences, and come from across Australia.

Our graduate program is aimed at those seeking a career – not just a job.

What work will you do?

You will become part of a diverse and busy workplace which develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia'a environment and heritage, and to promote Australia's arts and culture.

Our graduates work in diverse areas such as implementing the Government’s national water strategy, wildlife protection, Australia’s Oceans policy, helping regional Australia conserve natural resources, Indigenous arts, the film industry, improving fuel quality standards or protecting Antarctica – and many more.

Refer to our web site for more information.

Work rotations

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts offers you a year of professional development through three work rotations and a comprehensive learning program.

Our graduate year starts in early February and ends in December. After a three-four day induction, you will begin in your first placement. The three rotations let you see the wide spectrum of the activities of the department. Each rotation provides you with the opportunity to gain and develop new skills, and to contribute to the policy, program and corporate aims of the department.

Graduates are highly regarded and we usually have more rotation bids than we have graduates.

The work you do in each rotation is real and you will be in a supportive environment with the help of an experienced team who are committed to your development. Our supervisors are encouraged to let their graduates see the work of the Section, the Branch and the whole Division. You may be taken to various meetings in interesting locations as an observer or as a participant.

You will also have two senior mentors who will be committed to supporting your development and career.

First rotation placements will be decided before you arrive. We allocate you according to the work that is offered but we take into account your background and your area of study.

You will have the opportunity to influence your next two placements and you will be encouraged to talk to prospective supervisors and design a bid to suit your own personal development needs. You are also encouraged to work outside your comfort zone and try out new areas of interest during the graduate year.

Field trip

In August or September, you will go on a group field trip that the graduate group have planned, budgeted, researched and managed during the year. The field trip will take you out of the ACT, and you will meet various people involved in, or connected with, the work of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. This project will be an excellent opportunity to find out about areas of the department which you may not have had much to do with previously. You will also raise your profile by liaising with senior management and clients to complete your project. The field trip is a vital and active learning experience but is also a lot of fun.

Learning and Development Program

You will participate in a comprehensive learning and development program.

A new program is arranged each year and may include some of the following courses:

  1. Writing for the Australian Public Service (APS) – concentrates on adapting your writing style to fit APS workplace culture.
  2. Working with Legislation and Making Decisions in the APS – provides an understanding of the legal framework within the APS and enables you to develop skills to read and interpret legislation.
  3. Project Management – examines all parts of the project cycle and helps you deliver results on time and on budget – very useful for your field trip!
  4. Workplace Diversity – gives you a better understanding of the culturally and linguistically diverse nature of the complex community in which we both work and deliver government services.
  5. Negotiation Skills – develops your understanding of different negotiation styles and equips you with skills for successful negotiation. 
  6.  Budget and Financial Essentials – develops your understanding of the Australian Government’s budget processes and financial framework .
  7. Indigenous Cross Cultural Awareness - develop your awareness to cultural diversity.

You will also attend regular graduate meetings where you can work and learn with the other graduates and arrange guest speakers to talk about issues that are of interest to your group. You will also have access to online training in IT.

Benefits

The Graduate Program offers you a range of benefits:

You will also receive:

Your future

As a Graduate you will have many opportunities and exciting challenges after the completion of the Graduate Program. The department will assist you to realise your potential and develop your career.

Online Application

All candidates should apply for the Graduate Program through the online application process which is available during our recruitment campaign.

Recruitment process

Initial short listing

Once all applications have been received, a team of departmental officers will read all applications and select those to proceed to the next stage of our recruitment process. It is anticipated that this process will be completed by mid-late April. It is essential that you fully answer all questions in the online application. The quality of your application is very important.

Second short listing

Successful applications from the initial shortlisting process will be reassessed by senior departmental officers. It is anticipated this will occur in the last two weeks of May.

Interview

The final short listed candidates will be invited to attend an interview in a major capital city close to their city of origin. Up to 150 candidates will be interviewed by a panel of Senior Executive officers from the department. Candidates may also be asked to complete a work based test such as a writing exercise or presentation. They will have an opportunity to meet with Graduate Program staff and find out more about the Program and opportunities within the department. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. Phone interviews will also be conducted for overseas candidates. It is anticipated that interviews will occur in July.

'the best thing about working for us … is the environment'

Employment opportunities

About the Department

Graduate program

After the graduate year