This must be one of the more bizarre job ads for a senior public service position in Canberra in some time.
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The job as "first mate" to Access Canberra's deputy director-general Dave Peffer was advertised on LinkedIn from May 14 to 21, and called for applicants who could "steer a ship through a storm".
"Can you inspire your crew to sail in search of new horizons? Do you make friends with every parrot you meet?" the job ad reads.
Applicants were told to seal their curriculum vitae and a one-page pitch "in a bottle and throw it overboard - or email it if that is easier" to the ACT government's recruitment arm.
Access Canberra's chief operating officer David Snowden will remain in the top job, after a week-long recruitment for the executive level position last month.
The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission chief executive and Fair Trading Commissioner was re-appointed to the $313,260-a-year gig three weeks ago, for a term of up to five years.
Mr Peffer said re-engagement processes had to occur for executives at the end of their contracts, which generally were for five years.
"With recent changes to the Public Sector Management Act, Access Canberra re-advertised the position," Mr Peffer said.
"Following legal advice on executive recruitment processes and the PSM Act, Mr Snowden was reappointed from the re-engagement process."
While it's obviously too late to apply, here's the ad in full:
Chief Operating Officer, Access Canberra - ACT Government
Classification: Executive Level 2.6
Salary: $313,260-$327,383
Ahoy there! Can you steer a ship through a storm? Can you inspire your crew to sail in search of new horizons? Do you make friends with every parrot you meet?
Access Canberra, within the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, is taking on board a Chief Operating Officer (COO). As first mate to the Deputy Director-General, the COO runs the compliance arms of Access Canberra. They provide leadership, management and the vision to ensure Access Canberra's regulatory teams are working together to deliver good regulatory outcomes. You'll need to be comfortable wearing multiple hats as you'll be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling and Racing Commission and the Fair Trading Commissioner.
Sailing the seven seas, your travels will take you across Canberra. You'll be working with teams located across several ABW environments, liaising with other organisations and mapping a clear course for the journey ahead. Communication, planning and leadership skills are vital to overseeing the operations of this dynamic agency.
Remuneration: The position attracts a remuneration package ranging from $313,260to $327,383 depending on current superannuation arrangements of the successful applicant. This includes a cash component of $256,796.
Contract: The successful applicant will be engaged under a performance based contract for a period of up to five years. Prospective applicants should be aware that long-term engagements are tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
To Apply: seal your curriculum vitae and a one page pitch in a bottle and throw it overboard (or email it if that's easier to jobs@act.gov.au). Your pitch should demonstrate your team's greatest achievement, and how you can apply your leadership to this position. Your CV should also include the details of two referees (one referee should have previously worked for you).
