If you have experience in workplace administration, the Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool might be the perfect opportunity for you. This full-time role offers a competitive salary of over $70k per year, along with all the benefits and leave entitlements that come with being a public servant.
| Organisation / Entity | Department of Communities and Justice |
|---|---|
| Job Location | Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains District (Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, and Mount Druitt) |
| Work Type | Full-time – Talent Pool Recruitment |
| Base Pay | Clerk Grade 1/2 – $70,694 |
| Closing Date | 1/11/2024 |
In this role, you will support the Housing Services teams by managing their mailboxes and acting as a conduit between Client Service Teams and relevant stakeholders. As a Business Support Assistant, your responsibilities will include handling administrative tasks, responding to enquiries, and distributing workloads from Outlook mailboxes and other internal systems to the appropriate team members.
A Day in the Life of a Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool
- Providing Administrative Services: This includes filing, handling mail, maintaining registers, photocopying, completing documents, routine purchasing, and supporting events.
- Mailbox Management: Monitoring Outlook mailboxes and managing the distribution of incoming workload.
- Information Compilation: Collecting and compiling information to develop documents and reports.
- Enquiry Response: Responding to enquiries and escalating matters when necessary to ensure accurate information is provided.
- Record Maintenance: Ensuring records and databases are updated, accurate, and stored correctly in accordance with records management processes.
- Data Entry: Entering data into specialised software, including payments for rent and water usage.
- Correspondence Management: Handling correspondence from agents and landlords, including requests for routine inspections, smoke alarm inspections, and other maintenance requests.
- Account Management: Managing rent adjustments, account enquiries, and vendor management.
What We Like About the Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool Role
If you’ve read our other posts, you know we love talent pools. This talent pool recruitment means the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is looking for multiple candidates to fill several current vacancies, as well as any that become available in the next 18 months. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wanting to enter the public sector. You’re not competing for a single vacancy, so your chances of receiving an offer—either immediately or in the coming months—are significantly higher.
Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool Recruitment Process
To apply, you’ll need to attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role, as well as an up-to-date resume (maximum 3 pages).
For your cover letter, make sure to specifically address the essential criteria:
- Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/clearances:
- National Criminal History Record Check
- Working with Children Check clearance
You’ll also need to address the focus capabilities.
| Focus Capability | Level | Demonstrated By |
|---|---|---|
| Manage Self | Foundational Level |
|
| Commit to Customer Service | Foundational Level |
|
| Deliver Results | Foundational Level |
|
| Technology | Foundational Level |
|
How to Address Focus Capabilities in Your Application
All NSW Public Sector roles come with a list of focus capabilities. Entry-level roles typically have around four, while higher-graded positions might have ten or more. The NSW Capability Framework has multiple levels, each with different behavioural indicators for the 16 capabilities.
Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to match the focus capabilities described for this role. Use similar language when detailing your previous work experience. For example, if you worked in a busy supermarket, you could say that you excelled by developing up-to-date knowledge of the services provided and always took the time to relay this to customers to enhance their shopping experience. This directly addresses one of the behavioural indicators.
Getting this right makes it easier for the hiring manager—who is likely reviewing hundreds of applications—to quickly check off all the focus capability boxes for you and move you forward to the interview stage.
Example Cover Letter for Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool
Re: Application for Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Business Support Assistant position within the Department of Communities and Justice. With my experience in administrative support and customer service, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.
In my current role as a Customer Service Administrator at a large accounting firm, I manage scheduling for a team of accountants and serve as the primary contact for general enquiries via email and mail.
Manage Self & Technology: Recognising challenges with appointment scheduling that led to overlaps and missed consultations, I took the initiative to learn advanced features of our scheduling software, including automated confirmations, reminder notifications, and calendar syncing with clients. I dedicated personal time to upskill in these areas. Implementing these tools improved appointment coordination by 20% and significantly reduced scheduling conflicts. This experience demonstrates my willingness to develop new skills and effectively use technology to enhance workplace efficiency.
Commit to Customer Service: Clients often felt unsure about which accounting services suited their needs, causing delays. To address this, I developed a comprehensive guide detailing our services in clear, accessible language, including benefits and typical scenarios for each offering. By actively listening to clients and using this guide during consultations, I ensured they were matched with the appropriate accountant. This personalised approach led to a 15% increase in client satisfaction ratings. This initiative underscores my commitment to understanding customer needs and providing exceptional service.
Deliver Results: My proactive efforts not only enhanced client experiences but also improved team efficiency. By streamlining scheduling processes and providing clear service information, I contributed to faster decision-making and saved time for both clients and accountants. This demonstrates my ability to take initiative, complete tasks effectively, and deliver tangible results.
Essential Requirements: I am prepared to undergo a National Criminal History Record Check and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance if required. I understand the importance of these checks in maintaining the safety and integrity of the services provided by the Department.
I am eager to bring my skills, dedication, and proactive approach to the Department of Communities and Justice. Thank you for considering my application.
I am eager to bring my skills and dedication to the Department of Communities and Justice. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Business Support Assistant – Talent Pool Interview Tips and Conclusion
If you’re successful in progressing to the interview stage, congratulations! This is a fantastic entry-level role that can serve as a stepping stone to a rewarding career in the public sector.
When preparing for the interview, consider using the NSW Public Service Commission’s Capability Application Tool, which offers numerous example interview questions. Click here to access the capability application tool.
We wish you the best of luck in your application process. If you secure the position, we’d love to hear about your experience!
