Creating and Filling Jobs

Public service jobs are created through a job evaluation process. This process creates a position (job) description that describes the role and job requirements. The position description is evaluated to determine the job’s classification and grade which corresponds to a pay rate.  See Chapter 1 of the Personnel Handbook for more information on creating jobs.

A Department may decide to fill a job after confirming that the job is necessary, the position (job) description, classification and grading are correct and that funds are available.

The options for filling jobs in the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 include:

• temporary or permanent redeployment of displaced employees
• temporary staff transfer (secondment) 
• temporary or casual employment
• permanent appointment as a officer

Agencies determine the appropriate option depending on their workforce needs and whether the job is temporarily or permanently vacant. The NSW Public Sector - Employment Options table provides an overview of options for filling positions, including, situations when each option might be used effectively.

Merit selection generally applies to how people are recruited for jobs. This means the person whose skills, knowledge and experience best match the job requirements will be selected.

Job vacancies are advertised (unless exempt) on the NSW Government’s recruitment website at www.jobs.nsw.gov.au and in the Sydney Morning Herald and Daily Telegraph. Some jobs are also advertised in local, ethnic and Aboriginal newspapers and in disability networks.

See also

• Merit selection
• Chapter 2 of the Personnel Handbook for more information about filling non SES public service positions.
• Senior Executive Service for more information about filling SES positions.
• Finding a job in the Public Sector for more information about applying for a job.