Senior Media Liaison with Corrective Services NSW Officer Job Details
| Position Title | Senior Media Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| Organisation/Entity | Corrective Services NSW |
| Job Location | Sydney Region / Sydney City |
| Work Type | Part-Time (Ongoing Permanent) |
| Base Pay | $120,859 – $133,183 pa + superannuation + annual leave loading pro rata |
| Closing Date | 02/01/2025 – 11:59 PM |
About the Senior Media Liaison Officer Role and Corrective Services NSW
The Senior Media Liaison Officer plays a pivotal role within Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW), reporting directly to the Media Manager. This position is responsible for managing complex media relations and stakeholder communications independently.
Key responsibilities include responding to media inquiries, promoting positive media coverage, and acting as a departmental spokesperson. Additionally, the role encompasses overseeing events and press conferences, monitoring media coverage, and providing strategic media advice to ensure the department’s messaging aligns with its mission and objectives.
Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) is a government agency responsible for managing correctional facilities and supervising offenders in the community within New South Wales, Australia. Its primary objectives include ensuring public safety, administering rehabilitation programs, and facilitating the reintegration of offenders into society.
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Challenges for a Senior Media Liaison Officer
Taking on the role of a Senior Media Liaison Officer comes with its set of challenges. Managing sensitive and complex media communications requires a high level of discretion and strategic thinking. Handling crisis situations effectively to maintain and enhance the public image of CSNSW is crucial. Additionally, balancing multiple media inquiries and ensuring timely and accurate responses can be demanding. The ability to stay composed under pressure and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances is essential for success in this role.
CSNSW has been recognised for its commitment to staff welfare, exemplified by events like the Remembrance Day ceremony that honoured officers who have died in the line of duty. Such initiatives highlight the agency’s dedication to acknowledging and supporting its personnel.
The agency has faced criticism due to scandals involving staff misconduct, including incidents where prison guards were charged with attempting to cover up crimes committed by a serial rapist within the correctional system. These events have raised concerns about internal oversight and accountability.
Why You Should Apply for the Senior Media Liaison Officer Position
This Senior Media Liaison Officer position at Corrective Services NSW is a rare opportunity for those seeking exposure to government media, particularly existing public servants.
The role is strictly part-time, with just 15 hours per week across two days, making it perfect for individuals seeking flexibility and a balanced work-life dynamic.
As it is a part-time role, there may be an opportunity for someone to act in the position for two days a week while maintaining their current public service role. Candidates should carefully consider whether this arrangement could work for them and their team and discuss the possibility with their manager before applying.
You’ll gain invaluable experience contributing to impactful communications initiatives that shape public perception and support community engagement. This role allows you to lead media strategies and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, enhancing your expertise in media and communications within a highly reputable public sector organisation.
The fact that this role is part-time means there’s likely to be less competition, but that can work to your advantage! Many candidates shy away from applying for part-time positions, yet these roles are often a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in a new area or broaden your skill set.
If you’ve been looking for a way to step into government media or take on a new challenge, this position offers the perfect entry point with the flexibility to fit around your existing commitments. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to stand out and build your expertise in a high-impact role!
Senior Media Liaison Officer Application Requirements
How to Apply for the Senior Media Liaison Officer Position
To apply for the Senior Media Liaison Officer position, candidates must submit a comprehensive application through the DCJ Careers site.
The application process requires attaching a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that outlines how you meet the role’s requirements, as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Since there are no target questions for this role, be sure to carefully review the role description, focusing on the capabilities and essential requirements listed. Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with these key areas. Familiarising yourself with the NSW Public Sector application system will also help you navigate the process smoothly.
Essential Requirements for the Senior Media Liaison Officer
Candidates must meet the following essential requirements to be considered for the Senior Media Liaison Officer role:
- A current driver’s licence and willingness to drive a vehicle as part of the role.
- Preparedness to travel for up to a few days a month, including visits to Correctional Centres.
- A Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail and proofreading abilities.
- Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and solve problems efficiently.
- Demonstrated capacity to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Experience working within a small team and contributing to a collaborative problem-solving approach.
Aligning Your Application with NSW Capability Framework for Media Liaison Officers
To strengthen your application for the Senior Media Liaison Officer position, it is crucial to align your CV and cover letter with the NSW Capability Framework. Begin by thoroughly reviewing the focus capabilities outlined in the role description available on the iWorkForNSW link. Incorporate these capabilities into your cover letter. Demonstrating how your skills and experiences match these focus capabilities will significantly enhance your application.
For more information on the NSW Capability Framework, visit the NSW Capability Framework.
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Ideal Candidate Profile for a Senior Media Liaison Officer
Meet Julie, a Grade 7/8 public servant with a strong background in justice who is looking to expand her career into media. Julie has built a solid foundation in stakeholder engagement and communication through her current role, and she’s ready to take on the challenge of this Grade 9/10 Senior Media Liaison Officer position.
This ongoing, part-time opportunity offers Julie the chance to apply her critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a new context while leveraging her experience managing competing priorities under tight deadlines. With her ability to collaborate effectively in small teams and handle sensitive communications, Julie is well-positioned to succeed in this role, developing strategies to enhance public perception and act as a spokesperson for the organisation. This could be the perfect step for someone like Julie—or you!—to grow professionally while transitioning into a new field.
Sample Cover Letter for Senior Media Liaison Officer Application
Dear Hiring Manager
I am excited to apply for the position of Senior Media Liaison Officer with Corrective Services NSW. As a Grade 7/8 officer with extensive experience in the justice sector, I am eager to bring my advanced communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and proven track record in stakeholder engagement to this pivotal role. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my career aspiration to transition into media and communications, leveraging my expertise in managing sensitive issues to support the department’s public image.
In my current role in the justice sector, I was tasked with collaborating closely with media officers on a high-profile story about rising property crime statistics. This data, while significant, was highly complex and required clear explanation to ensure the public understood the context (Situation). My role involved distilling detailed crime data into accessible language, highlighting contributing factors such as seasonal trends, and emphasising the department’s proactive measures (Task).
I worked alongside analysts to craft a comprehensive briefing document and collaborated with media officers to prepare key messaging for press releases and interviews (Action). As a result, the story achieved balanced media coverage, presenting an accurate narrative that reinforced public confidence in the department’s commitment to addressing the issue (Result).
In another instance, I was responsible for managing a surge in media enquiries following the unexpected release of a controversial court ruling (Situation).
The department needed to respond swiftly and accurately to maintain public trust while adhering to legal confidentiality requirements (Task). I immediately coordinated with legal teams to confirm permissible messaging, drafted concise responses, and provided spokesperson notes for senior officials. I also ensured all messaging aligned with departmental policy and reflected sensitivity to community concerns (Action). Within hours, we had issued a clear, authoritative statement, reducing speculation and maintaining the department’s reputation for transparency and professionalism (Result).
These experiences underscore my ability to handle sensitive communications effectively, particularly under pressure, and to translate complex information into messages that resonate with diverse audiences. Both examples demonstrate the skills and judgment I would bring to the Senior Media Liaison Officer role at Corrective Services NSW.
I am well-qualified for this opportunity, meeting all the role’s requirements:
- Driver’s Licence and Travel Preparedness: I hold a current driver’s licence and am fully prepared to travel as needed, including visits to correctional centres for up to a few days each month.
- Educational Background: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, which has provided a strong foundation in media relations and public messaging.
- Advanced Communication Skills: My written and verbal communication skills are highly developed, and I am meticulous with proofreading and attention to detail. This ensures consistent, professional messaging in all materials I produce.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: I excel in analyzing complex situations, identifying key issues, and delivering sound, timely solutions. My ability to exercise judgment under pressure has been repeatedly proven in challenging circumstances.
- Deadline Management and Multi-Tasking: I thrive in dynamic environments where competing priorities are the norm. By staying organized and focused, I consistently meet deadlines without compromising quality.
- Team Collaboration: Working in small, agile teams has been a hallmark of my career. I actively contribute to collaborative problem-solving and foster positive, productive team dynamics.
This position offers a unique opportunity for me to apply my existing skills while gaining invaluable experience in government media. I am excited by the prospect of representing Corrective Services NSW and supporting its mission to build safer communities through effective communications.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with the needs of this role. I can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Need help with a different role?
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Mastering the STAR Technique for Your Senior Media Liaison Officer Application
The STAR technique is a powerful method for structuring responses to competency-based questions during your application and interviews. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This approach helps you provide clear and concise examples of your skills and experiences, demonstrating your suitability for the Senior Media Liaison Officer role.
Situation: Describe the context within which you performed a task or faced a challenge at work. Provide enough detail to give a clear picture of the scenario.
Task: Explain the actual task or responsibility that you had in that situation.
Action: Detail the specific actions you took to address the task or challenge. Focus on your individual contributions.
Result: Share the outcomes or results of your actions. Quantify these results if possible to highlight your effectiveness.
Using the STAR technique allows you to showcase your problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and the impact of your contributions. In the provided sample cover letter, the STAR method was employed to illustrate the candidates experience relating directly to the role. There was ample opportunity to efficiently list two different examples, which makes the case for this candidate even more appealing to the hiring manager.
When considering what examples to use, think about what would be most useful in the role. Make the examples as directly relevant to the role as possible, while also framing it in a way that aligns with the focus capabilities of the role.
Preparing for Your Senior Media Liaison Officer Interview and Conclusion
Preparing for Your Senior Media Liaison Officer Interview
Preparing for your interview as a Senior Media Liaison Officer involves understanding the key competencies and expectations of the role. The NSW Public Service Commission offers valuable resources, including the Capability Application Tool, which provides example interview questions and guidance on the NSW Capability Framework.
Here are three example questions you might encounter:
- Describe a time when you were faced with a significant change at work. How did you adapt, and how did you help your team navigate the transition?
- Give an example of when you had to address an ethical concern in your workplace. How did you handle it, and what was the result?
- Describe a time when you had to manage a challenging communication involving multiple stakeholders with differing viewpoints. How did you navigate the situation to achieve a successful outcome?
When preparing for your interview, consider the following tips:
- Research Corrective Services NSW thoroughly to understand their mission, values, and current media initiatives.
- Practice your responses using the STAR technique to provide structured and impactful answers.
- Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in media relations, highlighting specific achievements and lessons learned.
- Demonstrate your ability to think strategically and handle high-pressure situations with professionalism.
Final Thoughts on Securing the Senior Media Liaison Officer Role
Securing the Senior Media Liaison Officer position at Corrective Services NSW is a significant step towards a rewarding career in public sector communications. By understanding the role’s requirements, aligning your application with the NSW Capability Framework, and preparing thoroughly for the interview, you position yourself as a strong candidate. Remember to highlight your strategic communication skills, media relations expertise, and ability to manage complex media scenarios effectively. Embrace this opportunity to contribute to an organisation that makes a real difference in the community, and take pride in the impact your role will have on public perception and organisational success.
