Why work for us?

1. Our Values

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is a values-based organisation. These values define our workplace culture, shape how we interact with and serve the local community, and drive our performance through an engaged workforce.

Building a strong community

• We strive to enhance a liveable and sustainable lifestyle for our community.
• We are one and the same as our community.
• We commit to providing outstanding service and getting things done.
• We do this by working together and staying connected to achieve positive outcomes.

Integrity in every action

• We are proud to be a member of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council staff and we uphold the highest standards.
• Acting ethically and transparently in everything we do ensures we are accountable and build trust.
• We do the right thing and complete it on time.
• We are reliable and demonstrate value for money, being open and responsible in our decision making.

Respect and inclusion for everyone

• We treat everyone with respect, providing thoughtful and positive experiences in all our interactions.
• We create a sense of belonging and treat others as we want to be treated.
• We are mindful of our colleagues and our actions support a positive culture.
• We care for each other’s well-being, having empathy and acting with compassion.

Delivering outcomes that matter

• We get the job done and do our best, we strive for excellence in everything we do.
• We are curious and listen to what others have to say.
• We are adaptable, flexibile and open to change and new ideas.
• We value everyone’s role and are passionate about our contribution to local government.

2. Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision

Quality People, Remarkable Council

Our Mission

We recruit and retain quality people who are empowered and resourced to do the best for our community.

We get the work done, we celebrate when it is done well, we have fun while doing it.

We connect, collaborate and create.

3. Our Benefits

We offer competitive benefits to support an exciting working experience for our employees. These include:

• Consideration of flexible working arrangements to support a balanced lifestyle including working from home and flex-time where operationally suitable.
• Study assistance for those looking to expand their skills within their profession.
• Operational staff work a 9-day fortnight with a rostered day off
• Professional development through numerous learning and development courses. This includes participation in the LG Professional’s Rural Management Challenge.
• Our Social Club participate in exciting social events including lunch and dinners, performing arts events at The Q and sporting events.
• Our new head office in Queanbeyan is under construction and due for completion in 2023.
• Positions available at workplaces in Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Braidwood.
• Generous leave entitlements, including health and wellbeing leave and paid superannuation.

Local government is a highly rewarding sector that is primarily focused on building, improving, and providing capability for local communities through the diverse range of services provided. Working at QPRC allows our people to work closely with and give back to their local community.

4. Our Workplaces 

Our employees work across more than 30 workplaces in three main locations in our local government area. Staff are primarily located in Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Braidwood. Employees are spoilt for choice in the places they can work ranging from community libraries, a lively performing arts centre, stunning heritage buildings and spectacular parks and gardens.

Further information and concept designs can be viewed through the following link:

https://www.qprc.nsw.gov.au/QCCP

5. Our Health and Safety

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment and culture for all our employees, councillors, contractors, volunteers and visitors. We are proud that our organisation has once again been Health, Safety, Environment and Quality certified by Sustainable Certification. This means our facilities meet the requirements for International Organisation Standards ISO 9001 for Quality, ISO 14001 for Environment and ISO45001 for Occupational Health & Safety. More information on this certification is available here.

Examples of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for our people include:

• Management that develops, leads and promotes a strong safety culture in the organisation
• Consultation and participation of employees in WHS matters
• Promotion and protection of physical and mental health
• Simple and accessible incident, near miss, hazard identification, and injury reporting
• 13 health and safety representatives that make up our WHS committee
• Support for those injured at work
• Compulsory Work Health and Safety eLearning modules for all employees
• Risk management strategies in place
• Random drug and alcohol testing

6. Our Wellbeing Programs

We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our people. Our vision is to continue to build and maintain a workplace environment and culture that supports healthy lifestyle choices. Some examples of our commitment to employee wellbeing include:

• Discounted membership rates at local gyms
• Our Peer Support program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Regular online wellbeing seminars (tips on healthy eating, getting active, managing heavy workloads, etc).
• Designated wellbeing and return to work officer

7. Diversity and Inclusion

Council encourages a diverse and inclusive organisation, where people of all genders, backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences are welcomed and embraced. This has been enhanced through the development of an internal Diversity and Inclusion Group, our external Access Committee and key corporate documents – the Reconciliation Action Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Plan and Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we support social, cultural and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encourage local First Nations community members to apply for vacancies within Council.

Council provides an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion eLearning course which is mandatory for all new employees. The purpose of this course is to establish a foundational Aboriginal cultural awareness for all employees and promote culturally appropriate customer service excellence. Our staff also participate in national dates of significance including NAIDOC Week, National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.

We are proud to have identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions such as our Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer and Trainee Community Development Officer.

Women    

We believe everyone deserves equal opportunity and we aim to close the gender gap in our workforce. We have recently observed a shift in the numbers of women working in traditionally male-dominated roles in our transport construction and utility teams. We have also adapted our recruitment marketing to encourage women to apply for positions in all roles, reflective of our supportive, and discrimination-free working environment.

Disabilities

We have numerous employees who identify as living with disability who contribute to the achievements of Council. We have a Disability Access Committee where staff members can provide input on disability access on major development projects. We also celebrate International Day of People with Disability. As part of our commitment to an inclusive culture, we provide support for those with disabilities by:

• Supporting reasonable adjustments for new and existing employees
• Providing arrangements as required to participate in job interviews

Should you have a disability that requires adjustment for the interview process, please contact our Workforce Team careers@qprc.nsw.gov.au

Multicultural

We are proud of our diverse workforce which consists of people from various cultural, ethnic, religious and national backgrounds and identities. Our diverse workforce plays an important role in assisting Council meet the needs of our community. QPRC further promotes our rich diversity through the annual Harmony Day.