Freedom of Information Officer

7 Minutes ago • All levels • $97,099 PA - $104,941 PA

Legal

Job Description

Hume City Council is seeking a Freedom of Information Officer to provide high-level support and specialist advice on FOI queries and requests. The role involves processing FOI requests, liaising with stakeholders, preparing decision letters, ensuring compliance with FOI Professional Standards, and engaging with OVIC. Additionally, the officer will support integrity investigations, deliver internal education programs, and advise on privacy, fraud, discrimination, and conflicts of interest. This permanent full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary and a supportive work environment.

Good To Have:

Strong relationship-building abilities.
Skills in handling difficult customer situations and resolving conflicts.
Skilled in active listening, empathy, and understanding diverse perspectives.
Skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning, and organizing work.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and show initiative.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions and problem-solve in difficult situations.
Ability to effectively manage tasks of competing priority in a changing environment.

Must Have:

Receive, review, and process FOI requests in accordance with the FOI Act.
Liaise with applicants and key stakeholders for efficient request processing.
Prepare FOI decision letters compliant with OVIC requirements.
Ensure compliance with FOI Professional Standards.
Engage with OVIC on FOI review and complaint notifications.
Provide specialist advice to senior management on FOI issues.
Maintain and monitor FOI Registers.
Complete annual FOI Reporting to OVIC.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).
Experience in Freedom of Information administration.
High level of competency with computer systems, including Microsoft programs and Content Manager.
Excellent customer service skills.
Current driver’s license.

Perks:

Competitive salary package
Professional development opportunities
Supportive work environment
Inclusive and collaborative work environment
Child safe organisation
Equal opportunity employer

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Job Description

Permanent Full Time, Opportunity
$97,099- $104,941 per annum plus Superannuation
Join the Governance team

Hume City Council is one of Australia’s fastest growing and culturally diverse councils. We put the customer and our community at the centre of all that we do, ensuring our services are efficient and accessible.

To provide high level support and specialist advice to senior management and Council staff in relation to Freedom of Information (FOI) queries and requests.

To support the management, investigation and response to a range of matters arising from internal complaints or referred by Victorian integrity agencies including the Victorian Ombudsman, the Office of Victorian Information Commissioner, the Local Government Inspectorate or the IBAC.

To work in a discreet and professional manner, ensuring integrity of council processes and compliance with legislation.

What you’ll be doing:

Receive, review/analyse and process FOI requests in accordance with the FOI Act.
Liaise with applicants and key stakeholders to support efficient processing of requests.
Prepare FOI decision letters for review by the Authorised Freedom of Information Officer, ensuring it complies with the requirements of OVIC.
Ensure compliance with the FOI Professional Standards.
Engage with OVIC in matters pertaining FOI review and complaint notifications
Provide informed specialist advice to senior management on FOI issues.
Maintain and monitor FOI Registers.
Provide input to policy development and process improvement.
Complete annual FOI Reporting to OVIC.
Support integrity investigations which may arise from allegations of fraud or misconduct
Support investigations required by and/or in conjunction with external integrity agencies
Deliver internal education programs to upskill staff and increase awareness of integrity responsibilities
Provide advice to internal stakeholders in relation to privacy, fraud, discrimination and conflicts of interest as required.

The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role:

Strong relationship-building abilities, fostering collaboration, cooperation, and partnership with colleagues, other departments of the organisation, and community members.
Demonstrated skills in handling difficult customer situations and resolving conflicts, maintaining professionalism, and adhering to the organisation's guidelines.
Skilled in active listening, empathy, and understanding diverse perspectives, enabling effective communication and service provision within the relevant context.
Skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising one's own work and where appropriate that of other employees to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within a set timetable.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and to show initiative and effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions and problem solve in difficult situations.
The ability to effectively utilise knowledge and resources to ensure the timely delivery in a changing environment, including the ability to effectively manage tasks of competing priority.

Required Certifications & Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and experience in the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).
Experience in Freedom of Information administration.
High level of competency with computer systems, in particular, Microsoft programs and other Council key applications such as Content Manager and experience with a customer request system.
Excellent customer service skills.
Current driver’s license.

Why Hume City Council?

A leader in local government, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:

We’re better, every day: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

We’re in it together: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

We show up: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

All for Hume: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

All candidates will be required to undertake background and probity checks including Reference Checks, Working with Children Check, and a Criminal Record Check.