Application Guide for Senior Project Officer Talent Pool in Housing Services
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on the housing challenges facing NSW communities? The Senior Project Officer role at the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Housing Statewide Services presents an exciting opportunity to advance your career. Whether you’re looking to step up to a Grade 9/10 position or transition from the private sector into the public sphere, this role is your chance to apply your project management expertise in a dynamic and socially impactful environment.
As part of a talent pool recruitment, this role offers the potential for ongoing or temporary positions, with plenty of opportunities likely on the horizon. With the NSW Government placing a significant focus on addressing the housing crisis, 2025 is set to be a year of major project rollouts. Read on for an example application, detailed tips, and actionable advice to help you secure an interview and take the next step in your career.
Job Overview
| Position Title | Senior Project Officer |
| Organisation/Entity | Department of Communities and Justice |
| Job Location | Parramatta (Sydney – Greater West) |
| Work Type (ongoing, temporary, or casual) | Future ongoing or temporary roles (Talent Pool) |
| Base Pay | Clerk Grade 9/10, $125,693 – $138,510 plus super |
| Closing Date | 27 January 2025 (11:59 PM) |
Senior Project Officer Talent Pool: A Chance to Create Positive Change in Housing Services
In this Senior Project Officer position, you will join a dedicated team focused on driving transformational projects in Housing Services. Through high-level project management and stakeholder engagement, you will help shape initiatives that positively impact individuals, families, and communities across NSW.
As part of the Housing Statewide Services Team, you will:
- Manage, design, and implement various projects aligned with the directorate’s responsibilities to improve FACS service delivery and achieve better outcomes for individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders through open communication and regular feedback.
- Design, implement, and coordinate projects that meet business goals and client needs, using project management tools for consistent, high-quality results.
- Oversee all aspects of project management, including planning, resource coordination, and budget monitoring, to ensure deliverables are met within set deadlines.
- Prepare essential project documents (reports, budgets, and progress updates) to keep stakeholders informed and maintain smooth information flow.
- Provide proactive, evidence-based advice to leaders and senior management to support ongoing operations and future strategic decisions.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align project plans with service design, program development, and policy implementation.
This position is ideal for those with corporate or NGO project experience—particularly anyone looking to balance business-focused project goals with meaningful social and community outcomes.
Why This Senior Project Officer Role Is a Great Opportunity
- Talent Pool Recruitment
- Joining this recruitment process places you in a talent pool, meaning you could be considered for future ongoing or temporary roles within the next 18 months. One application opens the door to multiple potential positions.
- High Demand for Housing Projects
- With the NSW housing crisis at the forefront of government priorities, there is significant attention on housing services and a growing need for project staff. This sets the stage for major, high-impact projects—and for individuals like you to make a real difference.
- Transition from the Private Sector
- If you have private sector project experience, this role offers an excellent pathway to apply your skills in a mission-driven environment. As a Clerk Grade 9/10, you’ll enjoy a competitive salary and NSW Public Sector benefits, including comprehensive leave entitlements and professional development opportunities.
Take this opportunity to lead projects that will help address some of the most pressing housing challenges in NSW. By joining this dedicated team, you will play an integral role in creating community-driven, socially impactful solutions.
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Application Requirements for Senior Project Officer Talent Pool
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive application through the DCJ Careers site. Your application must include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing how your skills and experience match the role requirements.
- An up-to-date resume (maximum 5 pages) highlighting relevant experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, housing services, and data analysis.
Because this is a public sector application, it is essential to tailor your submission to the specific capabilities and criteria described in the role description. The Department places a particular emphasis on your ability to contribute to projects that meet community needs, maintain cultural awareness, and deliver outcomes aligned with state-wide housing initiatives. Make sure you highlight relevant experience using the terms in the role description and job ad.
Essential Role Requirements
To excel in this position, you will need a proven ability to:
- Manage all stages of project management, including planning, execution, and reporting.
- Navigate stakeholder engagement effectively, from Aboriginal Communities to internal teams.
- Oversee budget and resource coordination while meeting key deadlines and deliverables.
- Provide proactive, evidence-based advice to leaders and senior management.
- Demonstrate negotiation skills that balance multiple viewpoints and timelines.
- Use data and analysis systems like HOMES (Housing Operations Management System)
- Operate comfortably in Microsoft Office Suite (especially MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Make sure you address all of the essential requirements in your cover letter.
Desirable Experience
Though not strictly required, the following skills and experiences are highly valued:
- Data analysis expertise, including the ability to interpret complex reports and derive actionable insights.
- Prior exposure to public sector processes, especially in the area of housing or community services.
- Experience in leading project teams or mentoring junior colleagues.
- Proficiency with specialised project management tools and advanced reporting techniques.
These additional capabilities can help you stand out in a competitive talent pool and prepare you for the multifaceted demands of the role.
Understanding and Addressing Focus Capabilities
The Department of Communities and Justice, along with the broader NSW Public Sector, structures roles around defined focus capabilities. These competencies can be found in the NSW Capability Framework.
Candidates are encouraged to download the role description and examine these focus capabilities closely. Look at the bottom of this document to review the key focus capabilities that must be addressed through the recruitment.
When writing your cover letter and resume, be sure to address how your background and experiences align with each capability, showcasing clear examples of relevant achievements.
Application Checklist
| Checklist Item | Completed? |
| Cover letter (max. 2 pages) addressing role requirements | |
| Resume (max. 5 pages) highlighting relevant experience | |
| Review the Focus Capabilities in the role description | |
| Confirm closing date and submit application (27 January 2025) |
Example Candidate Profile for Senior Project Officer Talent Pool
Meet Alex, a dedicated project management professional who has worked in the Non-Government (NGO) sector as well as a major Telco. Alex wants to secure stable and ongoing employment in the NSW Public Sector where he can apply his project management experience to major projects.
Alex sees the Senior Project Officer role at DCJ as a chance to apply these strengths in a bigger arena. Motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through Housing Services, Alex is ready to tackle complex stakeholder engagements, align project plans with broader social policy, and contribute to inclusive, community-driven solutions.
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Example Cover Letter for Senior Project Officer Talent Pool
Dear Hiring Manager,
Re: Application for Senior Project Officer – Housing Services
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Project Officer role at the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). With a background spanning project management in both the Non-Government Organisation (NGO) sector and a leading telecommunications company, I bring a wealth of experience in managing diverse projects and engaging with a range of stakeholders. I am eager to leverage my skills to contribute to Housing Services’ mission of delivering inclusive, community-focused outcomes.
In my previous roles, I have successfully managed projects from inception to completion, demonstrating expertise in planning, execution, and reporting. For example, while leading a community outreach project at ABC Services, I developed a comprehensive project plan that aligned with organisational goals and addressed the unique needs of the community (Situation/Task). By collaborating closely with internal teams and community leaders, I ensured the timely delivery of services, meeting key milestones within budget constraints (Action). This resulted in a 20% increase engagement and support requests from this at-risk community (Result).
My ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships has been honed through engaging with diverse groups, including Aboriginal Communities and internal teams. While managing a community infrastructure project at ABC Telecommunications, I facilitated consultations with Indigenous leaders to ensure cultural appropriateness in project planning (Situation/Task). I balanced differing perspectives through open dialogue and negotiation, ensuring all voices were heard while meeting critical deadlines (Action). The result was a project completed on time and celebrated as a model for inclusive development (Result).
Budget management and resource coordination have been central to my project management experience. In a previous role, I oversaw a $1.5 million project budget, using tools like Microsoft Excel and MS Project to track expenditures and forecast resource needs effectively. By maintaining meticulous oversight, I ensured all deliverables were achieved within budget and avoided cost overruns.
I have extensive experience using bespoke systems to generate insights and analysis. For example, I prepared a data-driven report on telecommunication services trends, which informed key decisions and led to the adoption of targeted strategies. My comfort with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint, allows me to present complex information clearly and persuasively, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
The Senior Project Officer role at DCJ represents an exciting opportunity to bring my expertise to a larger stage, addressing critical housing challenges while contributing to community-driven solutions. I am confident my project management skills, stakeholder engagement experience, and data-driven approach make me a strong fit for this role.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background aligns with DCJ’s goals and how I can contribute to Housing Services. I am available at [Phone Number] or [Email Address] at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Alex
Explain the STAR Technique
The STAR technique is a structured method of presenting achievements and experiences in a concise, effective way. When responding to selection criteria or interview questions in a public sector application, STAR helps you highlight your competencies and impacts clearly:
- Situation: Provide the context for your experience, describing the circumstances or problem you faced.
- Task: Explain the objectives or responsibilities you assumed during that situation.
- Action: Detail the specific steps you took to address the challenge or complete the task.
- Result: Share the outcomes, focusing on the measurable benefits of your actions.
In the cover letter above, you can see how the STAR method allows you to walk a reader through your role in a project from beginning to end. This approach clarifies your contribution to major initiatives, underscores the skills and competencies you employed, and demonstrates how you made a tangible difference. Whether you are showcasing stakeholder negotiation, cultural awareness, or data analysis, using STAR transforms abstract claims into compelling narratives that can strongly support your application in the NSW Public Sector.
Interview Preparation and Conclusion
Preparing for the Interview
After submitting your application, the next step is to prepare effectively for an interview with the Department of Communities and Justice. The NSW Public Service Commission offers a valuable resource called the Capability Application Tool.
During the interview, you may be asked questions that test your technical proficiency, stakeholder engagement approach, and cultural competency. Below are three example questions to help guide your preparation:
- Can you walk us through a project you’ve managed from start to finish? How did you ensure the planning, execution, and reporting stages were aligned with the project’s objectives?
- Describe a time when a project you were managing faced unexpected challenges. How did you address these while keeping the project on track?
- How have you used data and evidence to influence decisions made by senior management? Can you provide an example of a recommendation you made that had a significant impact?
- How do you manage conflicts between internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure project success? Can you share an example
Expect that the panel will look for concrete examples of your experience, preferably framed through something like the STAR method. It is also common for interviews in the NSW Public Sector to focus on behavioural and situational questions that align with capability statements. Arriving at the interview with specific examples will help you communicate your ability to adapt, collaborate, and achieve results.
Final Thoughts
Taking on a Senior Project Officer role at the Department of Communities and Justice means joining a community of professionals committed to bettering the lives of diverse populations. In return, you can expect a rewarding career path, a commitment to continuous learning, and the flexibility you need to maintain a healthy work–life balance. If you are passionate about driving high-impact projects, working alongside Aboriginal Communities, and using your project management expertise to make a genuine difference, consider applying for this exciting position.
We encourage you to spend time refining your application to highlight your skills, experiences, and aspirations aligned with DCJ’s focus capabilities. With thorough preparation, you will be well-positioned to showcase your ability to lead critical initiatives and advance meaningful change in Housing Services.
