Crown
Employees (Office of Environment and HERITAGE - Parks and Wildlife) Conditions
of Employment Award
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Review of Award pursuant to Section 19 of the Industrial Relations
Act 1996.
(No. IRC 206 of 2012)
Before The Honourable
Mr Justice Staff
|
4 April 2012
|
REVIEWED
AWARD
Arrangement
PART A
Clause No. Subject Matter
1. Arrangement
2. Title
3. Definitions
4. Memorandum
of Understanding
5. Salaries
6. Salary
Packaging Arrangements, Including Salary Sacrifice to Superannuation
7. Allowances
8. On Call
for Kosciusko National Parks Municipal Services Managed By The Resort Group
9. Standby
Allowance - Including Standby associated with Declared Incident
10. Higher
Duties
11. Appointment
12. Progression
13. Project
Teams
14. Hours of
Work
15. Variation
of Hours
16. Overtime -
General
17. Meal Breaks
18. Rest Breaks
19. Flexible
Working Hours
20. Temporary
and Casual Work Arrangements
21. Part-Time
Work Arrangements
22. Job Sharing
23. Public
Holidays and Public Service Holiday
24. Leave
25. Recreation
Leave and Annual Leave Loading
26. Family and
Community Service Leave
27. Excess
Travel Time
28. Contact
with Officers on Parental and Maternity Leave
29. Incident
Conditions
30. Working
From Home
31. Dependent
Care
32. Families
and Field Work
33. Training
and Development
34. Study
Assistance
35. Training
Competency
36. Engagement
of Contractors
37. Anti-Discrimination
38. Redundancy
Entitlements
39. Workplace
Environment
40. Housing
41. Consultation
and Monitoring
42. Industrial
Grievance Procedure
43. Deduction
of Union Membership Fees
44. Saving of
Rights
45. No Extra
Claims
46. Area,
Incidence and Duration
PART B
Annexure 1 - Salary Schedule for Ranger Classification
Annexure 2 - Salary Schedule for Project/Research Officer
Classification
Annexure 3 - Salary Schedule for Field Officer
Classification
Annexure 4 - Casual Leave Entitlements
PART C
Memorandum of
Understanding
2. Title
2.1 This Award shall
be known as Crown Employees (Office of Environment and Heritage - Parks and
Wildlife) Conditions of Employment Award.
3. Definitions
"Accommodation" means - Home, place of abode
or residential address, Commercial: hotel/motel/guest house, or an
Established/Non Established camps.
"Act" means the Public Sector Employment and
Management Act 2002.
"Allocated Day Off" means the day/s off that
the officer who works set patterns of hours as detailed in this agreement has
off each settlement period as a result of that officer accruing the necessary
hours.
"Area Manager", classification is Assistant
District Manager, means a PWG officer designated as such, who obtained a degree
from a recognised university requiring a minimum of three (3) years full-time
equivalent study, in an appropriate discipline relevant to the field operations
of the Service, or other tertiary qualification as deemed equivalent by the
Chief Executive of OEH.
"Association" means the Public Service
Association and Professional Officers Association Amalgamated Union of New
South Wales.
"Award" means an award as defined in the Industrial
Relations Act 1996.
"Campaign" means those incidents where shift
work is introduced by the Incident Controller.
"Casual Employee" means any employee engaged
in terms of Chapter 2, Part 2.6 Casual Employees, of the Public Sector
Employment and Management Act 2002 and any guidelines issued thereof or as
amended from time to time.
"Chief Executive" means the head of the
Office of Environment and Heritage.
"Contract hours" for the day for a full time
officer, means one fifth of the full time contract hours, as defined in this
award. For a part time officer,
contract hours for the day means the hours usually worked on the day.
"Crew" means a group of up to five officers
assigned under the control of a Crew Leader to undertake incident management
duties.
"Crew Leader" means an officer responsible
for leading a crew to implement a strategy.
The Crew leader ensures the work is undertaken efficiently and safely,
and is responsible for managing and recording the crew’s operations.
"Crew Member" means an officer diverted from
their day-to-day activities to undertake work associated with the management of
an incident.
"Dependent" means a partner, including same
sex partner, husband, wife, child, elderly parent or a family member with a
disability.
"Director General" means the Director General
of the Department of Premier and Cabinet as established under the Public
Sector Employment and Management Act 2002.
"Dispute" is a disagreement between officers
and the OEH concerning employment matters.
"Division Commander" means an officer who is
under the direction of an Operations Officer and who is responsible for a
number of sectors to which specific work tasks are allocated.
"Duty Officer" means an officer either
rostered for duty, or appointed on standby to serve as a divisional, branch or
regional after hours contact, and to monitor and coordinate both OEH responses
and other responses to a variety of situations including, but not limited to,
escalating fire weather conditions, wildfires, search and rescue, marine mammal
standings, security alarms, asset damage, risks to visitor safety. The
responsibilities of a duty officer are outlined in the Fire Management Manual
and NPWS State Incident Plan.
"Employer for Industrial Purposes" means the
Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
"Employer for all purposes other than
Industrial" means the Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and
Heritage.
"Family" means a group of persons of common
ancestry, or all persons living together in one household or a primary social
group consisting of parents and their offspring.
"Fieldwork" refers to work undertaken in the
field in an area away from an officer's normal work location, and which
precludes the officer from returning to his normal place of abode at the
conclusion of each shift.
"Grievance" is any workplace problem that is
a concern, complaint or allegation raised internally by an officer against
another officer and requires resolution.
"Incident" means an unscheduled activity such
as wildfire suppression, wildlife rescue, flood and storm relief, search and
rescue, cetacean stranding, accident and substance spill attendance, or as
otherwise approved by the Chief Executive or delegate. (N.B.
Does not include hazard reductions)
"Incident duties" means all work involved in
emergency incidents effort in which there is OEH participation from when an
event is declared an incident until it is declared over by the Incident
Controller. Duties may include: the
initial reporting, reconnaissance, organisation of resources, control, mop-up,
patrol to completion of incident duties, and may involve office duties in the
organisation and direction of the emergency response as well as work at the
scene.
"Memorandum of Understanding" means the
document signed by the parties on 10 August 2006.
"Monday to Friday Workers" are PWG officers
whose ordinary hours of work are from Monday to Friday inclusive within the
bandwidth hours of 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
"Nominated working place" means the location
where an officer normally commences work.
"OEH" means the Office of Environment and
Heritage
"Officer" means an employee in the Parks and
Wildlife Group of the OEH including those employed on a temporary basis but
does not include those employed under individual contracts through employment
agencies, officers employed pursuant to the provisions of the Crown Employees
(Senior Officer Salaries) Reviewed Award 2012, or those employed in the Senior
Executive or Chief Executive Services, or those persons employed and paid as
casuals.
"Ordinary working hours" means the average
number of hours the officer is required to work each week.
"Parties" means the Office of Environment and
Heritage and the Association.
"Pattern of hours" can be either flexible
working hours, where start/finish times are flexible within the bandwidth of 6
am to 8 pm; or, determined where start/finish times are set.
"Planning Officer" means an officer
responsible for the collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of
information about the incident and status of resources.
"Project/Research Officer" is an officer
designated as such, who has obtained a degree in Science or a related
discipline from a recognised university requiring a minimum of three (3) years
full time study, or other such qualifications deemed equivalent by the OEH.
"PWG" means the Parks and Wildlife Group of
the Office of Environment and Heritage.
"Ranger" is an officer in the PWG designated
as such, who has obtained a degree from a recognised university requiring a
minimum of three (3) years full-time equivalent study, in an appropriate
discipline relevant to the field operations of the Service, or such other
tertiary qualification as deemed equivalent by the Chief Executive.
"Rostered Day Off" means a day off in a four
week roster period, taken at a time which is operationally convenient to the
OEH, except those days that are taken as approved leave including flex leave
time in lieu or as an allocated day off.
"Senior Ranger" is an officer in the PWG
designated as such, who has obtained a degree from a recognised university
requiring a minimum of three (3) years full-time equivalent study, in an
appropriate discipline relevant to the field operations of the Service, or such
other tertiary qualification as deemed equivalent by the Chief Executive.
"Settlement Period" is a four week roster
period.
"Seven Day Roster Workers" are officers whose
ordinary hours of work may be worked on any day, Monday to Sunday (inclusive)
within the bandwidth of 6 am to 8 pm.
"Standby" means an approved period of time outside
normal working hours, when officers, including Duty Officers, have been
directed by the Chief Executive, or delegate, to be readily contactable and to
immediately respond as required.
"Supervisor" means the immediate supervisor
or manager of the area in which an officer is employed or any other officer
authorised by the Chief Executive to fulfil the role of a supervisor or
manager, other than a person engaged as a consultant or contractor.
"Temporary Officer" means any employee
engaged in terms of Chapter 2, Part 2.4 Temporary Employees, of the Public
Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 and any guidelines issued thereof or
as amended from time to time.
"Union" means the Public Service Association
and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of New South Wales,
having regard to its respective coverage.
4. Memorandum of
Understanding
4.1 The Memorandum
of Understanding at Part C was signed by the parties to this award on 10 August
2006 and should, where appropriate be read in conjunction with this award.
5. Salaries
5.1 No officer's
substantive salary will drop on entering into the Award.
5.2 Salaries will be
those set out in Annexures 1 - 3.
5.3 The salary rates
are all inclusive of the following allowances.
(i) Diving
(ii) Kosciusko
(iii) Dry Cleaning
(iv) Flying
5.4 Salaries for
Field Officer classifications are inclusive of leave loading.
5.5 The salaries
contained in Part B, Annexures 1 - 3 of this Award will be adjusted to reflect any
variation to Salaries and Allowances in the Crown Employees (Public Sector -
Salaries 2011) Award or any successor instrument to that Award.
6. Salary Packaging
Arrangements, Including Salary Sacrifice to Superannuation
6.1 The entitlement
to salary package in accordance with this clause is available to:
(i) permanent
full-time and part-time officers;
(ii) temporary
officers, subject to OEH convenience; and
(iii) casual
employees, subject to OEH convenience, and limited to salary sacrifice to superannuation
in accordance with subclause 6.7.
6.2 For the purposes
of this clause:
(i) "salary"
means the salary or rate of pay prescribed for the officer's classification by
Part B Annexures 1 - 3 of this Award, and any other payment that can be salary
packaged in accordance with Australian taxation law.
(ii) "post
compulsory deduction salary" means the amount of salary available to be
packaged after payroll deductions required by legislation or order have been
taken into account. Such payroll
deductions may include, but are not limited to, taxes, compulsory
superannuation payments, HECS-HELP payments, child support payments, and
judgement debtor/garnishee orders.
6.3 By mutual
agreement with the Chief Executive, an officer may elect to package a part or
all of their post compulsory deduction salary in order to obtain:
(i) a benefit or
benefits selected from those approved by the Director-General of the Department
of Premier and Cabinet ; and
(ii) an amount equal
to the difference between the officer’s salary, and the amount specified by the
Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet for the benefit
provided to or in respect of the officer in accordance with such agreement.
6.4 An election to
salary package must be made prior to the commencement of the period of service
to which the earnings relate.
6.5 The agreement
shall be known as a Salary Packaging Agreement.
6.6 Except in
accordance with subclause 6.7, a Salary Packaging Agreement shall be recorded in
writing and shall be for a period of time as mutually agreed between the
officer and the Chief Executive at the time of signing the Salary Packaging
Agreement.
6.7 Where an officer
makes an election to sacrifice a part or all of their post compulsory deduction
salary as additional employer superannuation contributions, the officer may
elect to have the amount sacrificed:
(i) paid into the
superannuation fund established under the First State Superannuation Act 1992;
or
(ii) where the OEH
is making compulsory employer superannuation contributions to another complying
superannuation fund, paid into the same complying fund; or
(iii) subject to the
OEH’s agreement, paid into another complying superannuation fund.
6.8 Where the
officer makes an election to salary sacrifice, the OEH shall pay the amount of
post compulsory deduction salary, the subject of election, to the relevant
superannuation fund.
6.9 Where the
officer makes an election to salary package and where the officer is a member
of a superannuation scheme established under the:
(i) Police
Regulation (Superannuation) Act 1906;
(ii) Superannuation
Act 1916;
(iii) State
Authorities Superannuation Act 1987; or
(iv) State
Authorities Non-contributory Superannuation Act 1987,
the OEH must ensure that the officer’s superable salary
for the purposes of the above Acts, as notified to the SAS Trustee Corporation,
is calculated as if the Salary Packaging Agreement had not been entered into.
6.10 Where the officer
makes an election to salary package, and where the officer is a member of a
superannuation fund other than a fund established under legislation listed in
subclause 6.9 of this clause, the OEH must continue to base contributions to
that fund on the salary payable as if the Salary Packaging Agreement had not
been entered into. This clause applies
even though the superannuation contributions made by the OEH may be in excess
of superannuation guarantee requirements after the salary packaging is
implemented.
6.11 Where the officer
makes an election to salary package:
(i) subject to
Australian Taxation law, the amount of salary packaged will reduce the salary
subject to appropriate PAYG taxation deductions by the amount packaged; and
(ii) any allowance,
penalty rate, payment for unused leave entitlements, weekly worker’s
compensation or other payment, other than any payments for leave taken in
service, to which an officer is entitled under this Award or any applicable
Award, Act or statute which is expressed to be determined by reference to the
officer’s rate of pay, shall be calculated by reference to the rate of pay
which would have applied to the officer under Part B Annexures 1 - 3 of this
Award if the Salary Packaging Agreement had not been entered into.
6.12 The
Director-General of Premier and Cabinet may vary the range and type of benefits
available from time to time following discussion with the Unions. Such variations shall apply to any existing
or future Salary Packaging Agreement from date of such variation.
6.13 The Director-General
of Premier and Cabinet will determine from time to time the value of the
benefits provided following discussion with the Unions. Such variations shall apply to any existing
or future Salary Packaging Agreement from the date of such variation. In this circumstance, the officer may elect
to terminate the Salary Packaging Agreement.
7. Allowances
7.1 Allowances
payable in the subclauses 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 shall be adjusted on 1 July each
year in line with the increases in the Consumer Price Index for Sydney during
the preceding year (March quarter figures):
7.1.1 Allowance rates
contained in this clause are effective from 1 July 2011.
7.2 Boot Allowance
7.2.1 A boot allowance
is payable to any officer who works in the field where suitable boots are not
provided by the OEH. The allowance is
to be a maximum of $154.70 of boots, on condemnation of the previous pair,
endorsed by the Area Manager, Regional Manager or Branch Director PWG.
7.3 Field Allowance
7.3.1 This allowance
replaces camping allowance contained in the Crown Employees (Public Service
Conditions of Employment) Award 2009or
any successor instrument to that Award.
7.3.2 This allowance is
payable when an officer is required to stay overnight at a place other than
their place of abode or commercial accommodation.
7.3.3 The amounts
payable per day of 24 hours, or part thereof (which must involve an overnight
stay), are:
(i) Where meals are
provided by the OEH, $67.68 or $2.82 per hour
(ii) Where meals are
not provided by the OEH, $108.24 or $4.51 per hour
7.3.4 The OEH will
provide the necessary equipment
7.3.5 In the
exceptional circumstances where equipment is not supplied, no additional
allowance is payable.
7.4 Remote Area
Allowance
7.4.1 The remote area
allowance seeks to compensate staff for increased costs of living, the climatic
conditions of areas designated "remote" and the level of disturbance
to partners and family.
7.4.2 Remote area means
the area of the State of N.S.W. situated on or to the west of a line starting
from the right bank of the Murray River opposite Swan Hill and then passing
through the following towns or localities in the following order, namely,
Conargo, Coleambally, Hay, Rankins Springs, Marsden, Condobolin, Peak Hill, Nevertire,
Gulargambone, Coonabarabran, Wee Waa, Moree, Warialda, Ashford and Bonshaw, and
includes a place situated in any such town.
It also includes Nadgee, Montague Island and Lord Howe Island.
7.4.3 The allowances
specified in paragraph 7.4.5 Table 1of this clause, will be paid to those
officers who meet the criteria set out in the Personnel Handbook and who live
in a remote area as defined in paragraph 7.4.5 Table 2 of this clause.
7.4.4 The allowance
replaces the Commonwealth allowance paid to officers on Lord Howe Island.
7.4.5 The rates of the
allowances will be:
Table 1
Grade
|
With Dependents
|
Without Dependents
|
A
|
$4066.11
|
$2845.84
|
B
|
$5421.48
|
$3794.82
|
C
|
$6776.88
|
$4743.80
|
Table 2
Grade "A"
|
All locations in remote areas, as defined, except those
specified as
|
|
Grade B or C and including Nadgee.
|
For the purpose of this Award the following locations will
be included in Grades "B" and "C".
|
|
Grade "B"
|
is payable to officers
living in the following locations:
|
|
Angledook, Barrigun, Bourke, Brewarrina, Clare, Engonia,
Goodooga,
|
|
Ivanhoe, Lake Mungo, Lightening Ridge, Louth, Mungindi,
Pooncarie,
|
|
Redbank, Walgett, Wanaaring, Weilmoringle, White Cliffs,
Wilcannia,
|
|
Wilandra, and including Menindee, Kinchega, Macquarie
Marshes and
|
|
Gunderbooka
|
|
|
Grade "C"
|
is payable to officers living in the following locations:
|
|
Fort Grey, Mootwingee, Mount Wood, Nocoleche, Olive Downs,
|
|
Tibooburra, Yathong and including Witta Brinna, Tarawi,
Irymple,
|
|
Lord Howe Island and Montague Island
|
7.4.6 Should officers
be located in other remote locations not specified in this Award, the grading for
payment will be determined in consultation with the Union.
8. On Call for
Kosciusko National Park Municipal Services Managed By PWG
8.1 A weekly
allowance of $185 per week (of 7 days) shall be paid to officers in the
Kosciusko National Park Municipal Services Unit who are directed to be on call.
8.2 The payment
shall cover all time outside the normal working hours that the officer is
required to be available for contact and immediate response to a call.
8.3 Only in
exceptional circumstances would the OEH require an officer to be on call for a
period of less than 7 days. Where a period of on call is for less than 7 days a
pro-rata to a minimum of one day will apply for each day the officer is
required to be on call. The daily allowance will equate to $26.43 per day.
8.4 The allowance
shall compensate the officer for minor follow up work that may result from the
call.
8.5 Where the call
results in the officer returning to work or performing more than minor
follow-up work (i.e. where two or more further calls are required and this
takes more than 15 minutes), the officer shall be entitled to overtime for the
actual time spent responding to the call or a minimum of 3 hours overtime,
whichever is the greatest.
8.6 Where an officer
is required to return to work again after the initial call out, the officer
shall be paid for the actual time spent attending the second and subsequent
call outs.
8.7 Extension of
this provision to other work areas, classifications or specific jobs will be
done in consultation with the Union.
9. Standby Allowance
- Including Standby Associated With Declared Incidents
9.1 Standby roles -
officers may be directed to be on standby as a:
(i) Duty Officer -
either for general standby or associated with a declared incident (refer to
definitions clause); or
(ii) General standby
- an officer appointed on standby to respond to after hours duty as required.
9.2 Standby duties -
officers directed to be on standby must be readily contactable by telephone,
radio or pager where one has been issued, during the standby period and be
prepared to respond immediately to duty as required. Officers who are not
readily contactable and available for immediate response to duty as required,
will not be entitled to standby payments.
9.3 Duty Officer
support - a Duty Officer may have access to OEH after hours contact lists, an
OEH vehicle (with radio), mobile phone and pager (if necessary) dependent on
the requirements of the duty to be performed;
9.4 Standby hours -
the time an officer, can be directed to be on standby is:
(i) 24 hours on a
rostered day off; or
(ii) all hours
between the finishing time and starting time of the next day on rostered days
on; or
(iii) for an
approved period of time to meet operational requirements with the minimum
period being 3 hours.
9.5 Standby rates
9.5.1 An officer
required to be on standby will be paid at the rate of one third their standard
hourly rate (not including any loading) or maximum rate for Clerk Grade 8 as
varied from time to time plus $1.00, whichever is the lesser, for the time they
are required to be on standby outside their normal rostered working hours.
9.5.2 Payment of the
standby rates for a Duty Officer directed to be on standby for a declared
incident, will be charged to the respective declared incident and the overtime
barrier will not apply (except for SES officers) for the duration of the
declared incident.
10. Higher Duties
10.1 Officers who
relieve in a higher position for a period of at least 5 consecutive work days
will be paid a proportion (from 50-100%) of the difference between the
substantive salary rate of the occupant of the higher position and the
officer's salary. The proportions shall
depend on the range and level of duties performed in the position. Where the position
is vacant, an officer relieving in the position shall be paid a proportion
(from 50% -100%) of the difference between step one of the grading of the
vacant position and the Officer’s substantive salary rate. The proportions
shall depend on the range of the level of duties performed in the positions.
10.2 The terms and
conditions of the higher duties apply for the duration of the relieving period.
10.3 The duties and
the proportion of the higher duties allowance shall be mutually agreed to prior
to the relieving period.
11. Appointment
11.1 Appointment to a
vacant position will be by way of competitive selection based on the merit
principle and in accordance with the provisions of the Public Sector Employment
and Management Act 2002.
11.2 Appointment to a
higher starting salary point within the level, grade or class than Year 1 will
be determined by the Chief Executive or delegate, following assessment of the
successful applicant's educational qualifications, past work experience in a
related field and/or relevant competency level.
11.3 Rangers - special
appointments
11.3.1 An
officer possessing a minimum of a three year degree from a recognised
university at time of appointment, shall commence at Ranger Grade 1 Skill Level
1.
11.3.2 An officer
possessing a minimum of a 4 year full-time equivalent degree (including Honours
year or a teaching diploma in addition to a three year degree) from a
recognised university at time of appointment, shall commence at Ranger Grade 1
Skill Level 2.
11.3.3 An
officer possessing a Masters Degree or a Doctorate from a recognised university
at the time of appointment, shall commence at Ranger Grade 1 Skill Level 3.
11.3.4 Appointment
to a higher salary than those described above, shall be based on the officer
having demonstrated competencies in accordance with the attached schedule which
are assessed by the Area Manager and approved by the delegated officer.
11.4 Project/Research
Officers - special appointments
11.4.1 An
officer with a three year degree in Science or related discipline from a
recognised university will commence at Project Officer Grade 1 Year 1.
11.4.2 An
officer with a four (4) year degree in Science or related discipline from a
recognised university (including an Honours year or a teaching diploma in
addition to a 3 year degree) will commence at Project Officer Grade 1 Year 2.
11.4.3 An
officer with a Masters degree or a Doctorate from a recognised university will
commence at Project Officer Grade 1 Year 3.
12. Progression
12.1 Progression
within levels, grades or classes shall be by annual increment unless otherwise
specified in Part B.
12.2 Increments shall
be processed by supervisors within one month of receipt.
12.3 If increments are
not processed within two months of the due date, the increments will be
processed automatically, and payment backdated to the due date.
12.4 Progression to a
higher level, grade or class shall be by competitive selection for an advertised
vacancy, unless the position is banded across a number of levels, grades or
classes.
12.5 Progression and
competency application for field officer, ranger, project/research officer
classifications
12.5.1 Progression
within levels or grades shall be by annual increment unless otherwise specified
in Annexures 1-3.
12.5.2 Increments
shall be processed by supervisors within one month of receipt.
12.5.3 If
increments are not processed within two months of the due date, the increments
will be processed automatically, and payment backdated to the due date.
12.5.4 Progression
and competency applications shall be processed by supervisors within three
months of receipt.
12.5.5 Progression
to a higher level or grade shall be by competitive selection for an advertised
vacancy, unless the position is banded across a number of levels or grades.
13. Project Teams
13.1 The Chief
Executive or nominee may request officers to perform work in a designated
project team.
13.2 An officer may
decline an offer to work in a designated project team.
13.3 When undertaking
work in a designated project team, the officer shall be paid:
(i) the rate for
the job as determined by job evaluation; or
(ii) at least one
salary level higher than their substantive rate.
13.4 An officer
working in a designated project team on a full-time basis will not be required
to carry out the duties of their substantive position in addition to the
project duties.
13.5 Project team jobs
may be either full-time or part-time.
14. Hours of Work
14.1 General
14.1.1 The
organisation of work and ordinary hours will optimise work effectiveness and
the fulfilment of the reasonable needs of officers.
14.1.2 The
standard hours of work will be those necessary for the completion of routine
work and this clause sets out the ordinary hours and conditions attached to
exceptions (other than declared incidents).
14.1.3 Except
as otherwise provided, ordinary hours of work will be an average of 35 per
week, over a settlement period, to be worked between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
14.1.4 Officers,
except those classified as Rangers, Senior Rangers, Assistant District
Managers, Field Officers, Senior Field Officers, Field Supervisors and Senior
Field Supervisors may only be rostered to work ordinary hours between 6:00 p.m.
and 8:00 p.m., when the officer agrees.
14.1.5 The
parties agree that the appropriate level of service is maintained between the
hours of 8.30 am and 4.30 pm on weekdays consistent with the Guarantee of
Service Policy.
14.1.6 No officer
will be able, or be required (other than in incidents) to work more than 10
ordinary hours per shift (exclusive of travelling time).
14.1.7 Pattern
of hours is the way hours are worked each settlement period; i.e., start/finish
times and days of the week for 7 day roster workers.
14.1.8 The
pattern of hours will be agreed to between the officers and management of the
area with regard to the needs of the OEH, the needs of officers and the
provision of services to the OEH’s customers.
14.1.9 A roster
of hours and days must be set and agreed to in writing 2 weeks before the
settlement period starts.
14.1.10 Hours of
work for positions and/or classifications will be as set out in subclause 14.2.
14.1.11 Permanent
changes to the pattern of hours for an officer is subject to consultation with
the officer and/or the Union.
14.2 Ordinary hours
may be organised as follows:
14.2.1 Monday
to Friday Workers
(i) Ordinary hours
to be worked from Monday to Friday (inclusive).
(ii) Except as otherwise
provided, all approved work performed outside the bandwidth, on weekends or
public holidays is to be paid as overtime in accordance with the provisions of
clause 16, Overtime General of this Award.
14.2.2 Defining
Monday to Friday Workers
(i) A Review
Committee will be established for each National Parks and Wildlife Service
region for the purpose of determining the number, if any, of positions to be
reclassified from Seven Day Roster positions to Monday to Friday Day positions
in each region based on principles agreed between the parties including
operational needs.
(ii) Following the
original determination in 14.2.2(i) above, the Review Committees will meet to
review that determination within 12 months.
(iii) Subsequent to
the review in 14.2.2(ii) above, any further changes will be the subject of
consultation between the local delegate and manager based on operational needs.
(iv) New employee(s)
will be offered a Monday to Friday Roster position if a vacancy exists in this
category as determined in clause 14.2.2 (i) and (iii).
(v) Disputes arising
from the process will be dealt with pursuant to clause 42, Industrial Grievance
Procedure
14.2.3 Conversion
from Monday to Friday to Seven Day Roster Worker
(i) The
determination of a position being reclassified from Monday to Friday to a Seven
Day Roster position will be made by the OEH on the basis that:
(a) Where an
employee employed in a Monday to Friday position performs work on more than:
23 weekend days and/or public holidays (total) annually
in the case of employees who receive a 17% loading; or
11 weekend days and/or public holiday (total) annually
in the case of employees who receive an 8.5% loading,
the employee will have the option of choosing to remain
a Monday to Friday Day Worker or make a claim to the OEH to have the position converted to a Seven
Day Roster Worker position that attracts the loading; or
(b) By agreement
between the local manager and delegate, a Monday to Friday Day position is
converted to a Seven Day Roster position.
(ii) Nothing in
this clause is intended to derogate from the rights of employees’ opt in/opt
out rights in clause 14.2.5 below.
14.2.4 Seven
Day Roster Workers
(i) Seven Day
roster worker is the default category of employment for the classifications
listed in subclause 14.2.4(ii) except where subclauses 14.2.2 or 14.2.3 apply.
(ii) Seven day
roster workers include the following classifications; Rangers, Senior Rangers,
Assistant District Managers, Field Officers, Senior Field Officers, Field
Supervisors and Senior Field Supervisors.
This list is not exhaustive. Identification of additional positions will
be done in consultation with the union.
(iii) This provision
will also relate to specifically identified positions where the working of a
seven day operation is necessary for the efficient and effective operation of
the position. Identification of positions that are to be designated seven day
roster workers will be done in consultation with the union.
(iv) Seven Day
Roster Worker employees who were employed prior to 30 August 2010 and who
receive the relevant loading under the Award will continue to be entitled to
the loading until the employee chooses to opt out and their proposal is agreed
to by the local manager pursuant to clause 14.2.5. Current employees will retain the loading should they transfer or
win a promotion to another position as defined in the default employment
category.
(v) Ordinary hours
for officers specified in subclauses 14.2.4(ii) and 14.2.4 (iii) are to be
worked from Monday to Sunday (inclusive) within the bandwidth of 6:00a.m. to
8:00p.m., unless otherwise agreed to between the OEH and the officer concerned
(vi) Officers
working this pattern of hours are to have at least two consecutive full days
off per week, unless otherwise agreed to between the OEH and the officer
concerned.
(vii) Officers shall
not be rostered to work more than two consecutive weekends (i.e. Saturday and
Sunday), unless the officer agrees to do so.
(viii) A loading of
17% of annual base salary is payable to Rangers, Field Officers and Senior
Field Officers for working up to a maximum of 45 combined weekend days (i.e.
Saturdays and Sundays) and 5 Public Holidays and is paid in lieu of all other
penalty rates.
(ix) A loading of
8.5% of annual base salary is payable to Senior Rangers, Assistant District
Managers, Field Supervisors and Senior Field Supervisors for working up to a
maximum of 22 combined weekend days (i.e. Saturdays and Sundays), and 3 Public
Holidays and is paid in lieu of all other penalty rates.
(x) If an officer
agrees to work more than the maximum specified in subclauses (viii) or (ix) of
this clause, no additional payments or day in lieu shall be made.
(xi) Officers referred
to in subclauses (viii) or (ix) of this clause who are directed to work more
weekend days and public holidays than those prescribed for their position, will
be paid penalty rates as follows:
Table 3
(a)
|
Saturdays
|
a 50% loading for each additional day worked
|
(b)
|
Sundays
|
a 75% loading for each additional day worked
|
(c)
|
Public Holidays
|
a 150% loading for each additional day worked
|
(xii) The loading
specified in subclauses (viii) and (ix) of this clause will be paid for the purposes
of superannuation and all paid leave, other than where such leave is for a
period of over 3 months.
14.2.5 Opt Out
and Opt In
(i) Where Seven Day
Roster employees choose not to be rostered in accordance with Seven Day Roster
provisions in the Award and where management can manage the locations concerned
without these employees being on the Seven Day Roster, then such employees may
opt out of being on a Seven Day Roster subject to:
(a) clause 14.2.2
being satisfied; and
(b) with written
approval from the OEH.
(ii) Prior to
externally advertising a vacant Seven Day Roster position of the same
classification that attracts the loading, the position will:
In the first instance, be offered to employees from the
same Area or Unit that have previously opted out of their entitlement to the
loading;
If no employees that have previously opted out accept
the offer to opt back in, the position will be offered to employees that are
Monday to Friday workers in the same Area or Unit as a result of new
employment.
14.2.6 Twenty
Four Hour Bandwidth Workers
(i) A 24-hr
bandwidth, inclusive of weekends and public holidays, may be implemented for
officers required to undertake or assist in duties including but not limited to
law enforcement and surveillance as part of their normal duties. A 24-hr
bandwidth provides the OEH with the flexibility required to ensure that such
essential and/or urgent tasks, surveillance work, and field work are conducted
in an efficient and timely manner.
(ii) Ordinary hours
to be worked from Monday to Sunday (inclusive).
(iii) Ordinary hours
to be worked at any time within a 24-hour bandwidth, with no fixed core time.
(iv) Except as
otherwise provided, all approved time worked in excess of 140 hours per
settlement period of 4 weeks shall be paid as overtime.
(v) Officers who are
required to work their ordinary hours in a 24 hour bandwidth will perform the
work subject to:
(a) Not more than 10
hours are to be worked in one day;
(b) Hours usually
being worked from Monday to Friday;
(c) An officer
having 2 days off per week;
(d) An officer not
being directed to work more than 12 consecutive days without the payment of
overtime;
(e) An officer not
being directed to work more than 2 consecutive weekends; and
(f) An officer not
being directed to work more than 75 days field work per annum.
(vi) A loading of
9.7% shall be paid to all officers working on a 24-hour bandwidth in lieu of any
other penalty rates for working ordinary hours on weekends and public holidays.
(vii) A 24 hr
bandwidth will not be implemented where the provisions as per the seven day
roster - see clause 14.3 of this Award - will accommodate the operational
requirements of the PWG.
(viii) Implementation
of a 24 hr bandwidth in PWG will only occur following consultation and
agreement of the union.
14.3 Set Pattern of
Hours
14.3.1 These
provisions apply to officers in the Field Officer classification who work a set
pattern of hours within each 4 week roster period.
14.3.2 The set
pattern of hours will be decided and agreed to by the officer and their
supervisor at the time each 4 week roster is determined.
14.3.3 The
starting and finishing times set for the roster period will be within the
bandwidth of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Monday to Sunday) inclusive.
14.3.4 The set
pattern of ordinary hours of work, exclusive of meal breaks can be worked as:
(i) five 7 hour 22
minute days with 22 minutes accruing towards an allocated day off each 4 week
roster period; or
(ii) four 9 hour 20
minute days with 35 minutes accruing towards an allocated day off each 4 week
roster period.
14.3.5 The
working of four 9 hour 20 minute days per week can only occur with the Area
Manager’s approval. The officer shall give 2 weeks notice prior to the
commencement of this arrangement to the Area or Regional Manager, where
possible and 2 weeks notice of its cessation, by mutual agreement.
14.3.6 Any
paid leave, eg recreation leave, sick leave or Family and Community Service
leave, and any public holiday occurring during the settlement period, shall be
a day worked for accrual of an allocated day off.
14.3.7 Days
taken as leave without pay do not accrue any time towards an allocated day off.
15. Variation of
Hours
15.1 Where the OEH
directs that the set starting and finishing times and/or days to be worked be
changed, officers shall be given at least 2 weeks notice. (This requirement
does not apply in incidents.)
15.2 Where the hours and/or
days are varied by mutual agreement between the OEH and the officer within the
bandwidth, no penalty is paid.
15.3 Where the OEH
provides 2 weeks notice that the hours and/or days are to be varied, and the
variation is within the bandwidth, no penalty shall apply.
15.4 Where the OEH
does not provide 2 weeks notice that the hours and/or days are to be varied,
and the variation is within the bandwidth, a 25% loading on base salary, based
on a 7 hour shift, shall apply.
15.5 Where the officer
requests a variation to hours and/or days and this is agreed by the OEH, no
loading shall be paid.
15.6 In respect of
Hazard Reduction Burns, there is a period of two months in each calendar year
where the daily bandwidth of hours will be 6:00am to 10:00pm for the Award
classifications that are covered by the Set Patterns of Hours clause (clause
14.3). The Regional Manager in
consultation with the local delegates will determine the designated period or 2
periods each year to be worked under this agreed arrangement. Such employees
during the designated period/s, may be called upon to work on Hazard Reduction
Burns on 24 hours notice without the payment of the additional 25% loading
penalty.
16. Overtime -
General
16.1 General
16.1.1 General
overtime conditions of officers under this Award shall be regulated in
accordance with the provisions contained within the Crown Employees (Public
Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009or any successor instrument to that
Award.
16.1.2 Overtime
is payable for all approved time worked:
(i) In excess of 7
hours per day or the daily contract hours, whichever is appropriate, where such
work is at the direction of the OEH; or
(ii) Outside the
bandwidth, except where such work is associated with incidents as defined.
16.1.3 If
overtime is taken as time in lieu, it must be taken within six months of
accruing.
16.2 Overtime at Home
16.2.1 Officers
covered by this Award may work overtime from home where the nature of work allows
for it and prior approval has been sought and given.
16.2.2 No meal
allowance is paid when working overtime at home.
17. Meal Breaks
17.1 Unpaid Meal
Breaks
17.1.1 An
unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes shall be taken no later than 5 hours
after the commencement of work.
17.1.2 In some
cases, due to the nature of the work, the meal break shall be for a set period
of time. In these cases, officers shall
be allowed at least 30 minutes.
17.2 Paid Meal Breaks
17.2.1 Meal
breaks taken whilst working overtime shall be paid at single time rates.
17.2.2 A meal
break of 30 minutes shall be taken no later than two hours after the
commencement of overtime.
17.2.3 If
overtime continues, an additional meal break of 30 minutes shall be taken after
the completion of each 5 hours worked.
18. Rest Breaks
18.1 There must be a
break of at least ten (10) consecutive hours between an officer’s normal
finishing time and normal start time. Where an officer is directed to commence
work without having had their required rest break, they will be paid overtime
rates until they are released from duty.
18.2 Where an officer
is recalled to work after their finishing time, and works for a total of less
than 4 hours, they are entitled to a rest break of at least 7 consecutive hours
before their next start time, and are entitled to be paid for any time
lost. If they are directed to return to
work and have not had their rest break, they are to be paid at overtime rates
until they are released from duty.
18.3 Where an officer
is recalled to work after their finishing time, and works for a total of more
than 4 hours, they are entitled to a 10 hour rest break and shall be paid for
any time lost. Where the officer is
directed to commence work without having had their required rest break, they
will be paid overtime rates until they are released from duty.
19. Flexible Working
Hours
19.1 So as to ensure
consistent application and the orderly implementation of the new provisions
across the OEH the commencement date for the provisions set out in this clause
of the Award shall be as agreed between the parties.
19.2 Ordinary Working
Hours
19.2.1 Full-time
ordinary working hours shall be an average 35 hours per week over a 4 week
period.
19.3 Bandwidth
19.3.1 Bandwidth
is the period during the day when officers may record time worked.
19.3.2 Standard
Bandwidth
(i) The Standard
Bandwidth commences at 6:00 a.m. and ceases at 8:00 p.m. for officers in
positions classified as Ranger, Senior Ranger and Assistant District Manager.
For all other officers the Standard Bandwidth is 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. unless
the officer has agreed to work their ordinary hours in a wider bandwidth until
8:00 p.m. The maximum number of hours that can be recorded as being worked
under this bandwidth is 10 hours (10.5 hours less a 0.5 hour lunch break). This
will be the bandwidth that an officer covered by this award operates under
unless their bandwidth is varied as per clause 15 above.
(ii) The Standard
Bandwidth starting and finishing times may only be varied in circumstances
where prior approval by the appropriate delegate has been granted for such a
variation. A variation may apply to a
group of officers or an individual officer.
19.4 Guarantee of
Service
19.4.1 This is
the specified period during the day between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30
p.m. on a weekday when an appropriate level of service is maintained in PWG
work locations.
19.5 Accrual and the
taking of flex leave
19.5.1 Officers
are able to take 14 hours, ie two days (2) flex leave days, off in a settlement
period as long as they have accumulated enough hours to do so.
19.5.2 With
prior management approval, officers may accumulate a credit balance of 14-35 hours
to enable them to have up to 5 flex leave days in a settlement period, to be
taken at a mutually convenient time.
19.5.3 Officers
who continually fail to take annual leave as a result of taking extended
periods of flex leave may be placed on standard hours by management following
appropriate consultation until a reasonable leave balance is established in
accordance with the award provisions.
19.5.4 Supervisors
will have full and open 24 hour access to Officers’ time sheet records and
records pertaining to an officer’s flex leave.
19.5.5 Officers
may carry forward to the next settlement period, in accordance with paragraphs
19.5.1 and 19.5.2 above a credit balance of up to 35 hours or a debit balance
of 10 hours.
19.5.6 Flex
leave can be taken at either the beginning or end of a period of leave.
19.5.7 Flex
leave can be taken as either 1/2 days or full days. Time outside the bandwidth
will not accrue to flex time balance.
19.5.8 Officers
must have prior approval before taking flex leave.
19.5.9 On
cessation of duty Flex Credits will be dealt with in accordance with subclause
21.14 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award
2009or any successor instrument to that Award.
20. Temporary and
Casual Work Arrangements
20.1 Temporary and
casual employees will be employed by the OEH in accordance with the provisions
of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002.
20.2 Temporary
Officers
20.2.1 Temporary
officers may be employed by the OEH on either a full time or part time basis in
any PWG classification contained in this Award for a fixed term for a maximum
period of up to three years.
Continuation of employment beyond 3 years may only be offered on a
permanent basis.
20.2.2 Temporary
officers shall be entitled to uniforms (if the position requires such use),
Annual PWG Entry Permits (if employed in excess of twelve months), training and
staff development opportunities.
20.2.3 In
accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee legislation, temporary officers
are entitled to 9% employer based contributions to First State Superannuation.
20.2.4 Temporary
officers employed for a period in excess of three months are entitled to the
accrual of leave. In the case of temporary
officers employed for less than three months, no leave accrual is available,
however, payment of 4/48ths in lieu of recreation leave will be made on
termination of employment.
20.3 Casual Employees
20.3.1 Casual
employees shall be engaged by the OEH on an irregular and intermittent basis
and shall be paid fortnightly or at the termination of engagement, whichever is
the earlier, for the number of hours worked.
20.3.2 The
casual hourly rate is determined by the following formulae:
(i) Annual salary
of the Position divided by 260.8929 divided by 7 = Base hourly rate
(ii) Rate for
Monday to Friday = base hourly rate plus 25%
(iii) Rate for
Saturday = base hourly rate plus 58%
(iv) Rate for Sunday
= base hourly rate plus 83%
(v) Rate for Public
Holidays = base rate plus 158%
20.3.3 The
rate of pay of casuals shall be set in recognition of the skills and experience
of the employee which is relevant to the work to be performed.
20.3.4 The
casual hourly rates of pay are inclusive of all forms of leave except for long
service leave entitlements which accrue according to the provisions of the Long
Service Leave Act 1955. Casuals are entitled to be paid overtime for time
worked in excess of their normal daily contract hours to the next quarter hour.
20.3.5 Overtime
payments for casuals are calculated on the ordinary base hourly rate (the 25%
loading is not included).
20.3.6 Casuals
shall also receive the following entitlements in accordance with the Crown
Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 or any successor instrument to that
Award:
(i) Unpaid parental
leave in accordance with subclause 12.5.4
(ii) Personal
Carer’s entitlement in accordance with subclause 12.6 and
(iii) Bereavement entitlement
in accordance with subclause 12.7
20.3.7 This
entitlement is also set out in this Award at Annexure 4 - Casual Leave
Entitlements.
20.3.8 Casuals
shall be engaged and paid for a minimum of three consecutive hours for each day
worked.
21. Part-Time Work
Arrangements
21.1 Part-time work
may be available to:
(i) permanent and
temporary officers who wish to work part-time in an existing position;
(ii) existing
full-time or part-time officers applying for promotion or transfer if they are
willing to work the approved hours of the position;
(iii) officers
recruited and appointed to a position where the approved hours are less than
fulltime.
21.1.1 The
decision to work part-time is voluntary.
No officer shall be directed or placed under any duress to move from
full-time to part-time employment or vice versa.
21.1.2 Officers
employed on a part-time basis may elect to work full-time at any time, subject
to the appropriate work being available for the classification and level, grade
or class of the position.
21.1.3 Return
to full-time employment before the expiry of the agreed period of part-time
work is subject to availability of work and adequate period of notice.
21.1.4 Officers
employed on a part time basis shall not be expected to carry out all of the
responsibilities of a full-time job in part-time hours.
21.1.5 Officers
employed on a part time basis shall not be subjected to pressure to be
available for work outside their usual part-time hours. Where the nature of work may from time to time
require them to work outside agreed part-time hours any arrangements to alter
the existing part time work arrangement need to be negotiated and agreed to at
the outset.
22. Job Sharing
22.1 The parties to this
Award confirm a commitment to providing flexible work conditions through job
sharing.
22.2 The OEH will
support officers sharing a position provided that:
(i) the arrangement
is fair and equitable to the officers involved;
(ii) the officers
involved in the job sharing arrangement agree to the arrangement;
(iii) the
arrangement can be on a permanent or temporary basis;
(iv) the arrangement
is in the best interests of the smooth functioning of the OEH, ensuring that
customer/client-OEH relationship is maintained.
22.3 The days each
officer shall work should be consecutive, and negotiated and agreed to by all
parties involved before commencement of employment.
22.4 Some examples
are: 2 days one week and 3 days the next week; Thursday to Wednesday worked on
alternate weeks; Monday, Tuesday, alternate Wednesday and alternate Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday.
22.5 The officers
involved in the job share arrangement should maintain close contact to ensure
continuity of work completed by them.
23. Public Holidays
and Public Service Holiday
23.1 General
23.1.1 Unless
directed to attend for duty by the Chief Executive or delegate, an officer is
entitled to be absent from duty on any day which is:
(i) a declared
public holiday throughout the State;
(ii) a declared
local holiday in the part of the State at or from which the officer performs
duty; and
(iii) a Public
Service Holiday in accordance with any directives issued by the
Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
23.1.2 If a
declared local holiday falls during an officer’s absence on leave, the officer
is not to be credited with the holiday.
23.2 Monday to Friday
Workers
23.2.1 Those
officers required to work on a declared public holiday shall be paid overtime
in accordance with clause 16, Overtime.
23.2.2 Officers
who are required to work on a Public Service Holiday will be able to take a day
off in lieu within 12 months at a time agreed between the officer and their
supervisor.
23.3 Seven Day Roster
Workers
23.3.1 Officers
covered by this Award may be required to perform their ordinary hours on a
declared public holiday, a declared local holiday, or a public service holiday
as per clause 14, Hours of Work.
23.3.2 Payment
for time worked on a declared public holiday will be in accordance with the
provisions of clause 14, Hours of Work or clause 16, Overtime - General; as is
appropriate.
23.3.3 Provisions
of paragraph 23.3.2 do not apply to an officer who is required to work on a
Public Service Holiday and this is not included in the specified number of
public holidays for which the loading is paid as per clause 14 of this
award. The officer will be entitled to
take a day off in lieu within 12 months at a time agreed between the officer and
their supervisor.
23.4 Twenty Four Hour
Bandwidth Workers
23.4.1 Officers
working a twenty four hour bandwidth may be required to work ordinary hours on
a declared public holiday, a declared local holiday or a public service
holiday.
23.4.2 Such
officers shall not receive any additional payment for ordinary hours worked on
a declared public holiday or a public service holiday.
23.4.3 Such
officers shall not receive an additional day off or annual leave day for
ordinary time worked on a declared public holiday or public service holiday.
24. Leave
24.1 General
24.1.1 General
leave conditions of officers under this Award shall be regulated in accordance
with the provisions contained within:
(i) the Act and
Regulation, and
(ii) Crown
Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 or any successor instrument to that Award, and
(iii) The OEH’s
policies as agreed and reviewed from time to time.
24.1.2 Officers
employed on a part time basis will accrue any leave on a pro-rata basis, which
will be determined on the number of approved contract hours worked in a pay
period.
25. Recreation Leave
and Annual Leave Loading
25.1 Recreation Leave
25.1.1 For
Monday to Friday workers paid recreation leave accrues at the rate of 20
working days per year,
25.1.2 For
Seven Day Roster Workers paid
recreation leave accrues at the rate of 30 days per year,
25.1.3 For
Twenty Four Hour Bandwidth Workers paid recreation leave accrues at the rate of
30 days per year.
25.2 Annual Leave
Loading
25.2.1 Annual
Leave loading for Monday to Friday Workers is 17.5% on the monetary value
of up to 4 weeks of recreation leave
accrued in a leave year.
25.2.2 Annual
Leave loading for 7 Day Roster Workers and Twenty Four Hour Bandwidth Workers is
17.5% on the monetary value of up to 5 weeks of recreation leave accrued in a
leave year.
25.2.3 The
annual salary paid to Field Officer classifications is inclusive of annual
leave loading.
26. Family and
Community Service Leave
26.1 Family and Community
Service Leave for officers covered by this award shall accrue and be granted in
accordance with clause 71 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of
Employment) Award 2009 or any successor
instrument to that Award howsoever named and as varied from time to time.
27. Excess Travel
Time
27.1 Time spent
travelling, as defined under clause 27 of the Crown Employees (Public Service
Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 or any successor instrument to that Award:
(i) Before the
agreed bandwidth commences, and up to 1 hour thereafter, and from one hour
prior to the end of the agreed bandwidth; or
(ii) commencing a
set pattern of hours as per subclause 14.3 shall be able to be claimed as
'Travelling time'.
27.2 Provided that
travelling time shall not include any period of travel between 11.00 p.m. on
any one day and the start of the officer's bandwidth on the following day where
the officer has travelled overnight and sleeping facilities have been provided
for the officer.
27.3 Where organisational
requirements prevent an officer taking Time Off In Lieu for Excess Travelling
Time within the timeframe under the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions
of Employment) Reviewed Award 2006 or any successor instrument to that Award it
will be paid out by application.
27.4 The accrued time
in lieu may be added to the officer's Accrued Flex hours under subclause 19.5
to be taken at a mutually convenient time but at all times the nature of the
time being accrued i.e. time in lieu or flex time, must be clearly
distinguished and recorded by the officer.
28. Contact With
Officers on Parental and Maternity Leave
28.1 All parties agree
to implement the provisions of subclause 75.20 of the Crown Employees (Public
Service Conditions of Employment) Award
2009and which aims to maintain contact with officers specifically in the
context of workplace change, restructuring and office relocations and
attendance at relevant training courses.
28.2 It is recognised
that some officers may not wish to keep in contact with the OEH while they are
on leave.
29. Incident
Conditions
29.1 General
29.1.1 The
following conditions apply in circumstances where an incident is declared and
approved by the Regional Manager until such time as the declaration of the incident
is lifted.
29.1.2 Flexible
Working Hours Arrangements and bandwidths will be suspended at the time of the
incident being declared for those officers involved in the incident.
29.1.3 Adjustments
to hours will be carried forward to the next settlement period.
29.1.4 On
successful completion of basic fire fighting training all officers will be
issued with appropriate personal protective and other equipment in accordance
with the OEH’s Fire Management Manual as varied from time to time.
29.1.5 Officers
directed to return from annual leave to attend an Incident will be compensated
for pre paid accommodation and return travel from their leave destination to
home at either First Class Rail Travel or economy air travel for themselves and
any dependents or at Official Business Rate if a Private Vehicle is used. Officers will be further compensated by
single hourly rate for all hours travelled.
Such officers will have the same option as officers called from an
Allocated Day Off or Flexi Day Off as in paragraph 29.2.5 of this Award.
29.1.6 ‘Incident
Controller’ within this clause means an officer responsible for incident
activities including the development and implementation of strategic decisions
and for approving the ordering and releasing of resources.
29.2 Conditions
29.2.1 For the
purpose of calculating payment for incident duty, the salary rate shall be the
officer's substantive salary or as prescribed in subclause 29.5 Incident
Responsibility Rates, whichever is the greater.
29.2.2 Call
out to attend an Incident will be paid at a minimum of three (3) hours
overtime, or by mutual agreement, time in lieu at overtime rates.
29.2.3 All
travel to and from an incident will be paid as if part of the Incident.
29.2.4 If an
officer is away from their own Area for the purposes of attending an Incident,
and are not required to work and it is not possible to return to their home,
seven hours normal pay will be paid per day until they return home or their
usual place of work, whichever is the sooner.
29.2.5 Officers
required to work on their Allocated Day Off/Flexi Day/Rostered Day Off will be
receive either:
(i) overtime for
the whole shift in addition to the normal pay for the day; or
(ii) overtime for the
whole shift (minus the normal days pay) plus a day off in lieu of the rostered
day off to be taken at a mutually agreed time.
29.2.6 This
must be marked clearly on time sheets or the assumption will be that the
rostered day off has been deferred.
29.3 Start and Finish
Times
29.3.1 On a
normal rostered day on, start will be from normal workplace and finish will be
on return to normal workplace plus 30 minutes.
29.3.2 On a
Rostered Day Off, start will be on leaving place of abode and finish will be on
return to place of abode plus 30 minutes.
29.3.3 Where
it is not possible to return to place of abode or normal workplace, start will
be on leaving accommodation and finish will be on return to accommodation plus
30 minutes.
29.3.4 Where
an officer is called to an Incident from their place of abode after the
completion of a normal shift, starting time will be at the time of the call,
and finishing time will be on return to accommodation plus 30 minutes.
29.4 Shift
arrangements during Incidents
29.4.1 A
normal shift is seven hours, however officers may only be required to work a
maximum of twelve hours on site.
However, the initial shift following the declaration of an Incident may
extend to a maximum of sixteen hours on site.
(The intention of this Award is to allow flexibility in exceptional
circumstances; e.g., new crews arriving late, unforeseeable worsening of the
Incident).
29.4.2 A
minimum eight hour break, not including travelling time, must be taken between
shifts, and where possible a ten hour break is recommended.
29.4.3 After
completion of three consecutive shifts on incident duties or five consecutive
shifts carrying out support functions in connection with incidents (such as
catering Teams and Administrative Assistance) a twenty-four hours break with
payment at single time rates, shall be provided before continuing with incident
duties or support functions or to return to normal duties. Where officers are required to take rest
break days additional to those referred to above, such days shall also be paid
at the single time rate. Officers shall
not be required to take flexi days or flex leave or use any other leave
entitlement in order to have the required rest breaks after performance of
incident duties or support functions in connection with incidents.
29.4.4 It is
the responsibility of the Incident Controller or Delegate to ensure that
reasonable shift and rest periods are adhered to.
29.5 Incident
responsibility rates
29.5.1 The level
and grading of Incident Positions, prescribed by the Australian Inter-Service
Incident Management System shall be determined in line with the OEH’s job
evaluation process. Only those persons assigned to positions identified as
Incident Positions shall be paid incident responsibility rates from the date of
the making of this Award.
Table 4
|
1/07/2008
|
1/7/2009
|
1/7/2010
|
1/7/2011
|
Crew Member
|
$48,928
|
$50,885
|
$52,920
|
$54,243
|
Crew Leader
|
$54,972
|
$57,171
|
$59,458
|
$60,944
|
Sector Commander
|
$61,025
|
$63,466
|
$66,005
|
$67,655
|
Divisional Commander
|
$69,112
|
$71,876
|
$74,751
|
$76,620
|
Operations Officer
|
$74,205
|
$77,173
|
$80,260
|
$82,267
|
Planning Officer
|
$74,205
|
$77,173
|
$80,260
|
$82,267
|
Logistics Officer
|
$91,898
|
$95,574
|
$99,397
|
$101,882
|
Incident Controller
|
$101,849
|
$105,923
|
$110,160
|
$112,914
|
Deputy Incident Controller
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Situation Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Situation Unit Leader
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resource Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resource Unit Leader
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air Attack Supervisor
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air Operations Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air Observer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Airbase Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.5.2 Officers
with specific skills assigned to work in any of the identified incident
positions listed in Table 4 will be paid at their substantive hourly rate or at
incident responsibility rate, whichever is the greater. For officers on higher
duties or on temporary appointment the substantive hourly rate will be the
hourly rate they were paid when the incident was declared for the duration of
their relieving period or temporary appointment.
29.5.3 Where
the level and grading of any new or additional incident positions has not been
determined officers will be paid their substantive hourly rate or for officers on higher duties or temporary
appointment the hourly rate that they were paid when the incident was declared
for the duration of their relieving period or temporary appointment.
29.5.4 The
overtime barrier rate does not apply to incident situations, except for
officers of the SES.
29.5.5 Officers
must be appointed to or exercise the responsibilities of an incident
responsibility position for a minimum of three hours to receive incident
responsibility rates. Those required to
undertake responsibility for less than three hours have the opportunity to
develop experience.
29.5.6 When
new incident positions are created they will be evaluated to determine the
appropriate salary and existing incident positions may be reviewed at the same
time.
29.5.7 Incident
responsibility rates will move in line with the Crown Employees (Public Sector
- Salaries 2008) Award or any successor instrument to that Award.
29.6 Payment
associated with Incidents
29.6.1 This
replaces the provisions of clause 16, Overtime, in relation to overtime worked
in respect of incidents.
29.6.2 Payment
will be calculated as follows:
(i) Double time for
all hours from start of incident regardless of day, night, Saturday, Sunday or
Public Holidays.
29.6.3 No
officer shall have time deducted from pay for meal breaks unless they are
actually relieved of Incident Duties for the period of the break and clean up
time; e.g., 30-45 minutes. Where meals
are provided to an officer on the ground and eaten in conjunction with incident
duties, no deduction will be made from pay.
29.7 Family and
Dependent Care During Incident Conditions
29.7.1 The OEH
will compensate officers for additional dependent care expenses (receipts must
be provided) relating to time worked during the incident. This must be arranged with the Incident
Controller as soon as practical and each case will be assessed by the Incident
Controller.
29.7.2 The OEH
will notify a nominated family member or friend as to the whereabouts of
officers when extended shifts are required.
29.8 Provision of
meals and accommodation while working on Incident
29.8.1 The OEH
will generally provide meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and
provide supper for officers working night shift.
29.8.2 Officers
commencing at their normal workplace will provide their first meal where the
meal break falls within their normal seven hour shift.
29.8.3 If no
meal is supplied, a payment of $15.00 per meal is made.
29.8.4 Wherever
possible officers will be allowed to return home or the OEH will provide accommodation
in a hotel or motel.
29.8.5 Where
returning home or to other accommodation is not possible or practical and the
officers are required to camp, they will be paid the Field Allowance set out in
subclause 7.3, Allowances, of this Award.
29.9 Standby
Associated with Incidents
29.9.1 When an
incident is declared appropriately trained and qualified officers may be
required to be on standby outside normal rostered working hours.
29.9.2 These
provisions do not apply to classifications where standby is a usual and regular
part of their duties such as sewage treatment plant officers. Such classifications will be paid on call
allowance in accordance with the provisions of clause 8 of this Award.
30. Working from Home
30.1 Supervisors may
allow officers to work from home; however, working from home is not to be a
routine arrangement.
30.2 Officers covered
by this Award may be given approval to work from home from time to time.
30.3 Greater access to
working from home is to be given to officers where:
(i) family members
are sick; or
(ii) where a
project/report requires urgent completion and for productivity reasons working
from home will achieve this;
(iii) for weekend
and night emergency incident management; and
(iv) where the nature
of the work allows for it.
30.4 In some cases
where family members are sick, officers may work from home and combine this
with their entitlement to family and community service leave (where available
and appropriate).
30.5 When working at home,
officers must ensure that they are contactable by their office.
30.6 Officers are
covered by workers’ compensation where prior approval has been given to the
officer to work from home.
31. Dependent Care
31.1 Where dependents
of the officer are sick and require care, the OEH will continue to support the
officer in the following ways:
(i) Family and
community service leave may be taken by an officer to attend to any medical
needs a dependent may have; or
(ii) Where
circumstances allow, an officer may negotiate with their supervisor to work at
home.
31.2 In circumstances
where an officer with a sick dependent is required to attend to work that can
not be completed from home (e.g. an urgent meeting) assistance will be
available to pay for additional costs associated with in home care for the
dependent, subject to the provision of receipts.
31.3 The OEH will meet
the additional costs involved in before or after school care, where an officer
is required to work beyond their regular hours, resulting in additional cost to
the officer for child care, in an accredited child care program, subject to the
provision of receipts.
Each application will be determined on its merits.
31.4 The parties
reaffirm their commitment to providing dependent care assistance:
(i) To enable
officers to attend residential training and development activities.
(ii) To officers
required to work during emergency situations
(iii) To ensure
officers are able to perform duties in relation to incidents knowing their
dependents are safe and cared for in a similar manner to that which they would
provide themselves.
31.5 The OEH will
compensate the officer for additional dependent care expenses relating to hours
worked during an incident.
32. Families and
Field Work
32.1 Officers covered
by this Award from time to time will be required to undertake either field work
or to work away from their normal headquarters.
32.2 Officers who wish
to be accompanied by a family member on single day trips, must obtain approval
from their supervisor or reporting officer prior to the trip for the purpose of
insurance coverage.
32.3 Officers who wish
to be accompanied by a family member on working trips of more than one day must
obtain approval from their Area Manager or Regional Manager.
33. Training and
Development
33.1 The parties to
this Award confirm a commitment to skill development for officers of the OEH.
33.2 The training and
development of officers covered by this Award will be linked to the Performance
Work and Development System or any replacement Performance Management System
agreed to by the parties. Work and Development Plans will be established
through the system and be relevant to the officer's current position and their
future career path.
33.3 All Training and
development will be managed and conducted in accordance with the OEH’s Learning
and Development Framework as varied from time to time.
33.4 Dependent care
assistance (by way of payment for dependent care) may be provided to enable
officers with dependent responsibilities to pursue residential training and
development opportunities.
34. Study Assistance
34.1 The OEH will
support officers gaining additional skills through formal study and who are
progressing through their course in a consistent way based on the timeframe
indicated by the providing institution.
Where a subject is failed an intention to catch-up must be demonstrated.
34.2 Officers are
entitled to apply for study time and study leave in accordance with the
provision of the Personnel Handbook or subsequent revision.
34.3 The following
costs associated with courses:
(i) Higher
Education Contribution Help Scheme fee; or
(ii) TAFE compulsory
fees: or
(iii) Compulsory
post-graduate fees; or
(iv) Compulsory full
fee paying course fees
will be reimbursed by the OEH in accordance with the
guidelines following.
34.4 The proportion of
fees to be reimbursed where the officer’s application for study assistance has
been approved under these guidelines, and:
(i) is their first
qualification as an officer of OEH: 100% to a maximum of $4,000 per annum
refunded where the resultant qualification is directly relevant to DECC
operations or needs and is approved as such by the Chief Executive; or
(ii) is their second
or successive qualification as an officer of DECC: 50% refunded to a maximum of
$2,000 per annum where the resultant qualification is directly relevant to DECC
operations or needs and is approved as such by the Chief Executive.
34.5 Approval for
assistance will be considered annually and refunds will be paid for a maximum
of six annual approvals up to a total amount of $24,000 in respect of paragraph
34.4 (i) or $12,000 in respect of paragraph 34.4 (ii) of this clause, where
other requirements have been met as in subclause 34.7 below.
34.6 At the discretion
of the Chief Executive and where the Chief Executive determines that it is in
the interests of the OEH, approval may be given for a maximum of eight annual
approvals as set out in subclause 34.4 above.
34.7 To be eligible to
receive a refund, an officer must:
(i) have been
employed in the OEH prior to the final examination in the academic period under
consideration and also be in employment on the date reimbursement is requested;
(ii) produce
evidence of having successfully completed a full stage of an approved course
(or the subjects enrolled in at the start of a semester/year); and
(iii) produce
receipts substantiating payments made for compulsory fees or HECS fee incurred.
34.8 Officers who
receive prior approval for study assistance for a particular course, or
qualification under either the EPA, NPWS or Resource NSW policies that existed
prior to the implementation of this Award, shall continue to receive their
financial assistance in accordance with those policies and their current
approval for that specific course or qualification. Any new course of study and new application to study will be
dealt with under paragraph 34.4 (ii).
34.9 Where there is no
break in the continuity of study and given successful completion of approved
study under paragraph 34.4 (i) any subsequent application for study assistance
will be treated as a second application under paragraph 34.4 (ii) of this
clause.
34.10 From the 1st
January 2008 staff who seek financial assistance for study, will be covered by
the new provisions set out in the MOU.
34.11 The costs
associated with courses as outlined in paragraphs 34.3(i)-(iv) above are based
on current 2006 costs. The parties to this
Award agree, where there is a significant increase in costs the parties shall
seek to resolve any increase in the listed amounts in paragraphs 34.4 (i) and
34.4 (ii) above. Where no agreement is
reached leave is reserved to seek the assistance of the Industrial Relations
Commission.
35. Training
Competency
35.1 The parties agree
to an ongoing commitment to the development and implementation of appropriate
competencies based on the relevant skill and qualification requirements at each
level. Such competencies shall be
developed having regard to National Training Competency standards.
36. Engagement of
Contractors
36.1 The OEH is
committed to establishing a consultative process regarding the use, including
supervision, of contractors by the OEH.
The parties agree that the engagement of contractors will occur in
limited circumstances and in accordance with all applicable policies of the
Public Service Commission, as varied from time to time.
36.2 Supervisors
should, where appropriate, be from the same vocational group as the work being
contracted, or be an appropriately qualified person. The parties will consult on the level of supervision required.
37.
Anti-Discrimination
37.1 It is the
intention of the parties bound by this award to seek to achieve the object in
section 3(f) of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 to prevent and
eliminate discrimination in the workplace.
This includes discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, marital
status, disability, homosexuality, transgender identity, age, and
responsibilities as a carer.
37.2 It follows that
in fulfilling their obligations under the dispute resolution procedure
prescribed by this award the parties have obligations to take all reasonable
steps to ensure that the operation of the provisions of this award are not
directly or indirectly discriminatory in their effects. It will be consistent with the fulfilment of
these obligations for the parties to make application to vary any provision of
the award which, by its terms or operation, has a direct or indirect
discriminatory effect.
37.3 Under the Anti-Discrimination
Act 1977, it is unlawful to victimise an officer because the officer has
made or may make or has been involved in a complaint of unlawful discrimination
or harassment.
37.4 Nothing in this
clause is to be taken to affect:
(i) any conduct or
act which is specifically exempted from anti-discrimination legislation;
(ii) offering or
providing junior rates of pay to persons under 21 years of age;
(iii) any act or practice
of a body established to propagate religion which is exempted under section
56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977;
(iv) a party to this
award from pursuing matters of unlawful discrimination in any State or federal
jurisdiction.
37.5 This clause does
not create legal rights or obligations in addition to those imposed upon the
parties by the legislation referred to in this clause.
NOTES
Employers and officers may also be subject to
Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation.
Section 56(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act
1977 provides:
"Nothing in the Act affects ... any other act or
practice of a body established to propagate religion that conforms to the
doctrines of that religion or is necessary to avoid injury to the religious
susceptibilities of the adherents of that religion."
38. Redundancy
Entitlements
38.1 Redundancy
provision payments will be made in accordance with the NSW Government’s
Managing Excess Employees Policy, as varied from time to time.
39. Workplace
Environment
39.1 The OEH will
ensure that all officers are provided with a work environment that at least
meets minimum acceptable standards. All
workshops will meet the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
39.2 While there are
no requirements for office workplaces, the OEH agrees to provide officers
covered by this Award with reasonable conditions and space.
39.3 Smoking is
prohibited at all indoor PWG workplaces and in OEH vehicles.
40. Housing
40.1 The parties agree
to consult on future issues related to OEH-owned housing including the
preparation of briefs for valuers.
40.2 All officers
occupying a OEH house will be required to sign a tenancy agreement.
41. Consultation and
Monitoring
41.1 The parties agree
to continued consultation to ensure the implementation of more flexible work
patterns and arrangement in accordance with the requirements of the Memorandum
of Understanding (August 2006).
42. Industrial
Grievance Procedure
42.1 General
42.1.1 The aim
of this procedure is to ensure that, during the life of this Award, industrial
grievances, (including grievances within the meaning of the Anti-Discrimination
Act 1977) or disputes are prevented or resolved as quickly as possible at
the level they occur in the workplace.
42.1.2 The
parties agree that whilst the procedures contained in this Clause are being
followed, there is an expectation that normal work will continue.
42.1.3 In
seeking a resolution to any industrial dispute or industrial grievance, the OEH
may be represented by an industrial organisation of employers, and the officers
of the OEH may be represented by an industrial organisation of officers.
42.1.4 Where
the grievance or dispute involves confidential or other sensitive material
(including issues of harassment or discrimination under the Anti-Discrimination
Act 1977) that makes it impractical for the officer to advise their immediate
manager the notification may occur to the next appropriate level of management,
including where required, to the Chief Executive or delegate.
42.2 Steps to Resolve
Industrial Grievances or Disputes
42.2.1 When a
dispute or grievance arises, or is considered likely to occur, the following
steps are to be followed:-
Step 1.The matter is discussed between the officer(s) and the
Reporting Officer or other appropriate officer concerned and addressed within
one week.
The Officer(s) concerned may discuss the matter with
the Union delegate, if so desired.
Step 2. If, after a week since the matter was discussed with the
Union delegate and the Reporting Officer the matter remains unresolved, the
officer(s) concerned may discuss the matter with the Union delegate and the
Branch Director. If the matter remains
unresolved follow Step 3.
Step 3. If, after a week since the matter was discussed with
the Union delegate and the Branch Director, the matter is still unresolved, the
officer(s) concerned may discuss the matter with the Branch Director, a
representative of the Human Resources Branch and a Union delegate and/or official.
Where it is agreed by the parties, and the matter is of
an urgent nature, the officer may go to Step 3 immediately. In the event that
the parties agree to go to Step 3 immediately, no more than a week should
elapse since the matter was first raised until Step 4 is followed.
Step 4. The matter is discussed between senior representatives
of the OEH and the relevant Union. The parties agree to exhaust the process of
conciliation before considering Step 5 below.
It is agreed that the parties will not deliberately
frustrate or delay these procedures. All efforts are to be made to resolve the
matter promptly. The conciliation process should take no longer than one month,
unless the parties agree to a longer period.
Step 5. If no resolution is found, the matter may be referred
to the Industrial Registrar in order for the Industrial Relations Commission or
Industrial Court to exercise their functions under the Industrial Relations
Act 1996.
43. Deduction of
Union Membership Fees
43.1 The Public
Service Association and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of
New South Wales shall provide the OEH with a schedule setting out it’s
fortnightly membership fees’ payable by its members in accordance with the its
rules.
43.2 The Public
Service Association and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of
New South Wales shall advise the OEH of any change to the amount of fortnightly
membership fees made under its rules. Any variation to the schedule of its
fortnightly membership fees payable shall be provided to the OEH at least one
month in advance of the variation taking effect.
43.3 Subject to
subclauses 43.1 and 43.2 above, the OEH shall deduct the Public Service
Association and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of New
South Wales fortnightly membership fees from the pay of any officer who is a
member of the Association in accordance with the it’s rules, provided that the
officer has authorised the OEH to make such deductions.
43.4 Monies so
deducted from the officer’s pay shall be forwarded regularly to the Public
Service Association and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of
New South Wales together with all necessary information to enable it to
reconcile and credit subscriptions to officers’ membership accounts.
43.5 Unless other
arrangements are agreed by the OEH and the Public Service Association and
Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of New South Wales, all
Union membership fees shall be deducted on a fortnightly basis.
43.6 Where an officer
has already authorised the deduction of Public Service Association and
Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of New South Wales
membership fees from his or her pay prior to this clause taking effect, nothing
in this clause shall be read as requiring the officer to make a fresh
authorisation in order for such deductions to continue.
44. Saving of Rights
44.1 At the time of
making this Award, no officer covered by this Award will suffer a reduction in his
or her rate of pay or any loss or diminution in his or her condition of
employment as a consequence of making this Award.
45. No Extra Claims
45.1 It is a term of
this award that the union will not pursue any additional claims or improvements
to wages and/or conditions of employment during the term of the award.
45.2 The Union
reserves the right to pursue increases in respect to Remote Areas allowance as
defined under subclause 7.4 of this Award.
46. Area, Incidence
and Duration
46.1 This Award will
apply to officers and casual employees in classifications covered by the Public
Service Association and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of
New South Wales, employed within the Parks and Wildlife Group of the Office of
Environment and Heritage.
46.2 This Award will
not apply to officers:
(i) transferred to
the Department under Administrative Order of 2 April 2007 and subsequent Orders
which established the Department of Environment and Climate Change effective 27
April 2007; or
(ii) employed in the
Senior Executive Service (SES); or
(iii) employed in
the Botanic Gardens Trust; or
(iv) whose current
conditions and entitlements are determined by the Crown Employees (Office of
Environment and Heritage - Parks and Wildlife Group) Field Officers and Skilled
Trades Salaries and Conditions 2011 Award or any successor instrument to that
Award; or
(v) whose current
conditions and entitlements are determined by the Flight Officers Enterprise
Agreement 2011 or any successor instrument to that Agreement.
46.3 The changes made
to the Award pursuant to the Award Review pursuant to section 19(6) of the Industrial
Relations Act 1996 and Principle 26 of the Principles for Review of Awards
made by the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales on 28 April 1999
(310 IG 359) take effect on and from 4 April 2012.
46.4 Changes made to
this Award subsequent to it being published on 8 February 2008 (364 I.G. 867)
have been incorporated into this Award as part of the review.
46.5 The Award remains
in force until varied or rescinded, the period for which it was made having
already expired.
46.7 Where this award
is silent provisions contained in the Crown Employees (Public Service
Conditions of Employment) Award 2009, or any successor instrument to that Award
apply to officers covered by this Award.
PART B
Annexure 1
Salary Schedule for Ranger Classifications
Classification and Grades
|
1.7.07
|
1.7.08
|
1.7.09
|
1.7.10
|
1.7.11
|
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Ranger Classification
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trainee Rangers
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year of service
|
41,487
|
43,146
|
44,872
|
46,667
|
47,834
|
2nd year of service
|
42,232
|
43,921
|
45,678
|
47,505
|
48,693
|
3rd year of service
|
43,505
|
45245
|
47,055
|
48,937
|
50,161
|
4th year of service
|
44,285
|
46,056
|
47,899
|
49,815
|
51,060
|
5th year of service
|
44,745
|
46,535
|
48,396
|
50,332
|
51,590
|
6th year of service
|
45,392
|
47,208
|
49,096
|
51,060
|
52,336
|
Rangers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st level
|
45,392
|
47,208
|
49,096
|
51060
|
52336
|
2nd level
|
47,178
|
49,065
|
51,028
|
53069
|
54396
|
3rd level
|
49,810
|
51,802
|
53,874
|
56029
|
57430
|
4th level
|
53,385
|
55,520
|
57,741
|
60051
|
61552
|
5th level
|
58,841
|
61,195
|
63,642
|
66188
|
67843
|
6th level
|
62,285
|
64,776
|
67,367
|
70062
|
71814
|
Grade 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
63,526
|
66,067
|
68,710
|
71,458
|
73,245
|
2nd year
|
65,412
|
68,028
|
70,750
|
73,580
|
75,419
|
3rd year
|
67,402
|
70,098
|
72,902
|
75,818
|
77,714
|
4th year
|
70,112
|
72,916
|
75,833
|
78,866
|
80,838
|
Senior Ranger
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year & thereafter
|
75,353
|
78,367
|
81,502
|
84,762
|
86,881
|
Assistant District Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 1
|
77,599
|
80,703
|
83,931
|
87,288
|
89,471
|
Grade 2
|
83,038
|
86,360
|
89,814
|
93,406
|
95,742
|
Grade 3
|
89,751
|
93,341
|
97,075
|
100,958
|
103,482
|
Grade 4
|
93,557
|
97,299
|
101,191
|
105,239
|
107,870
|
District Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 1
|
79,784
|
82,975
|
86,294
|
89,746
|
91,990
|
Grade 2
|
85,515
|
88,936
|
92,493
|
96,193
|
98,598
|
Grade 3
|
93,557
|
97,299
|
101,191
|
105,239
|
107,870
|
Grade 4
|
99,419
|
103,396
|
107,532
|
111,833
|
114,629
|
Grade 5
|
103,798
|
107,950
|
112,268
|
116,759
|
119,678
|
Progression
Criteria
Rangers
All ranger positions shall be at the level of Grade
1/2. Progression shall be subject to
the ranger meeting the required progression criteria and competency levels as
set out in the competency document
Where an employee fails to progress, it shall be the
responsibility of the Area Manager to discuss the reasons for the decision with
the employee concerned. The discussion
should also identify areas where additional competencies or necessary training
are required.
Progression
Trainee Ranger
Progression from level to level shall be subject to:
(a) the successful
completion of 6 subjects; and
(b) satisfactory
service at the previous salary level.
Progression from Trainee Ranger to Ranger Grade 1 shall
be subject to the employee having successfully completed a 3 year degree from a
recognised university in a discipline appropriate to the field operations of
the Service, and satisfactory work performance.
Ranger Grade 1/2
Progression from level to level within Grade 1 shall be
upon the attainment of the competencies set out in the attached schedule. Rangers will be initially appointed to Level
1 or such other level as is appropriate to their qualifications and competency
levels. Once the ranger has obtained
the competencies at Level 1 and has been at that level for at least 6 months,
they can apply to be assessed for progression to Level 2.
Progression from Grade 1 to Grade 2 shall be subject
to:
(a) completion of 12
months satisfactory service at Ranger Grade 1 Skill Level 6;
(b) the employee
having demonstrated competency in specific skills as shown in the schedule; and
(c) the Chief
Executive being satisfied that the employee’s performance and nature and
quality of work performed warrants progression.
Qualifications - grandfathered provisions
As of 1 April, 2000, all new officers appointed to Ranger,
Senior Ranger, Assistant District Manager, and District Manager classifications
must have an appropriate degree.
Officers employed prior to 1 April 2000 who have an
Associate Diploma in an appropriate discipline to the field operations of the
OEH are encouraged to update their qualification to degree level for
promotional purposes. Officers updating
their qualifications will be eligible for study assistance.
Annexure 2
Salary Schedule
for Project/Research Officer Classification
Classification and Grades
|
1.7.07
|
1.7.08
|
1.7.09
|
1.7.10
|
1.7.11
|
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Grade 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
47,011
|
48,891
|
50,847
|
52,881
|
54,203
|
2nd year
|
48,519
|
50,460
|
52,478
|
54,577
|
55,942
|
3rd year
|
52,928
|
55,045
|
57,247
|
59,537
|
61,025
|
4th year
|
57,064
|
59,347
|
61,720
|
64,189
|
65,794
|
5th year
|
61,174
|
63,621
|
66,166
|
68,812
|
70,533
|
Grade 2*
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
65,527
|
68,148
|
70,874
|
73,709
|
75,552
|
2nd year
|
67,445
|
70,143
|
72,949
|
75,866
|
77,763
|
3rd year
|
69,468
|
72,247
|
75,137
|
78,142
|
80,096
|
Grade 3*
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
72,966
|
75,885
|
78,920
|
82,077
|
84,129
|
2nd year
|
75,308
|
78,320
|
81,453
|
84,711
|
86,829
|
3rd year
|
77,639
|
80,745
|
83,974
|
87,333
|
89,517
|
4th year
|
79,186
|
82,353
|
85,648
|
89,073
|
91,300
|
Grade 4*
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
79,945
|
83,143
|
86,469
|
89,927
|
92,175
|
2nd year
|
82,244
|
85,534
|
88,955
|
92,513
|
94,826
|
Grade 5
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
86,414
|
89,871
|
93,465
|
97,204
|
99,634
|
2nd year
|
90,080
|
93,683
|
97,431
|
101,328
|
103,861
|
Grade 6
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
95,722
|
99,551
|
103,533
|
107,674
|
110,366
|
2nd year
|
96,726
|
100,595
|
104,619
|
108,804
|
111,524
|
*Progression criteria applies
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary Schedule
for Project Officer (Aboriginal Positions) Classification
This classification applies to positions responsible
for the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage and/or Aboriginal sites,
where Aboriginality is a legitimate and essential selection criteria and the
Service determines that a degree is not necessary.
Classification and Grades
|
1.7.07
|
1.7.08
|
1.7.09
|
1.7.10
|
1.7.11
|
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
Per annum
|
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Project Officer (Aboriginal
|
|
|
|
|
|
Positions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
47,011
|
48,891
|
50,847
|
52,881
|
54,203
|
2nd year
|
48,519
|
50,460
|
52,478
|
54,577
|
55,942
|
3rd year
|
52,928
|
55,045
|
57,247
|
59,537
|
61,025
|
4th year
|
57,064
|
59,347
|
61,720
|
64,189
|
65,794
|
5th year
|
61,174
|
63,621
|
66,166
|
688,12
|
70,533
|
Grade 2*
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
65,527
|
68,148
|
70,874
|
73,709
|
75,552
|
2nd year
|
67,445
|
70,143
|
72,949
|
75,866
|
77,763
|
3rd year
|
69,468
|
72,247
|
75,137
|
78,142
|
80,096
|
Grade 3*
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
72,966
|
75,885
|
78,920
|
82,077
|
84,129
|
2nd year
|
75,308
|
78,320
|
81,453
|
84,711
|
86,829
|
3rd year
|
77,639
|
80,745
|
83,974
|
87,333
|
89,517
|
4th year
|
79,186
|
82,353
|
85,648
|
89,073
|
91,300
|
Grade 4*
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
79,945
|
83,143
|
86,469
|
89,927
|
92,175
|
2nd year
|
82,244
|
85,534
|
88,955
|
92,513
|
94,826
|
Grade 5
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
86,414
|
89,871
|
93,465
|
97,204
|
99,634
|
2nd year
|
90,080
|
93,683
|
97,431
|
101,328
|
103,861
|
Grade 6
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st year
|
95,722
|
99,551
|
103,533
|
107,674
|
110,366
|
2nd year
|
96,726
|
100,595
|
104,619
|
108,804
|
111,524
|
*Progression criteria applies
|
|
|
|
|
|
Progression
Project/Research Officer Grade 1
Appointment to Project/Research Officer Grade 1 shall
be by competitive selection for advertised vacancies.
Project/Research Officer Grade 2
Progression from Project/Research Officer Grade 1 to Project/Research
Officer Grade 2 shall be by:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service on the maximum salary of Project/Research Officer Grade 1;
and
(b) the employee
having demonstrated a capacity to undertake research involving a degree of
originality and independence or to perform work of equivalent importance or
value; or
(c) in the case of
an employee not employed on research, the employee having demonstrated ability
and initiative in the performance of his/her duties and the nature and quality
of the work performed warrants such progression.
Project/Research Officer Grade 3
Progression from Project/Research Officer Grade 2 to
Project/Research Officer Grade 3 shall be by:
(a) 12 months
service on the maximum salary of Project/Research Officer Grade 2; and
(b) the Chief
Executive being satisfied that he/she is responsible to the Head of the Unit
for all of the work carried out in his/her individual field and has made
original contributions of a recognised high scientific level in his/her
professional field of work and that he/she is recognised as an authority
therein; or
(c) in the case of
an employee engaged primarily in applied or adaptive research, the Chief
Executive being satisfied that he/she is responsible to the Director for all
applied or adaptive research in his/her particular field of work and is
recognised as an authority therein; or
(d) in the case of
an employee primarily engaged in advisory work, the Chief Executive being
satisfied that the quality of the work of the employee warrants such
progression.
Project/Research Officer Grade 4
Progression from Project/Research Officer Grade 3 to
Project/Research Officer Grade 4 shall be by:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service on the salary of Project/Research Officer Grade 3 Year 3;
and
(b) the employee’s
qualifications, ability, reputation, standing and work in the employee’s
professional field, or the extent to which the employee is required to
supervise and give professional direction of a significant nature to officers
of an equivalent salary/grade are, or is such, that he/she would not continue
to be fairly remunerated at the level of the salary prescribed in this Award or
equivalent classification. Any decision
as to the employees to whom such salary shall be payable shall be that of the
Chief Executive.
Project/Research Officer Grades 5 and 6
Appointment to this grade shall be by way of
competitive selection for advertised vacancies.
Performance Review Committee
Suitability for progression to Project Officer Grade 3
and Grade 4 will be evaluated by a Performance Review Committee comprising:
(a) the relevant
Director or nominee;
(b) an independent
person having professional status in the field relevant to the Project/Research
Officer’s area of expertise; and
(c) a representative
of the Public Service Commission.
Annexure 3
Salary Schedule
for Field Officer Classification
Classification
|
1.7.07 Per
|
1.7.08 Per
|
1.7.09 Per
|
1.7.10 Per
|
1.7.11 Per
|
and Grades
|
annum - $
|
annum - $
|
annum - $
|
annum - $
|
annum - $
|
Field Officer Base Grade 1/2: Employees engaged on or
after 1 July 2007
|
Grade 1
|
Year 1
|
35,658
|
37,084
|
38,567
|
40,110
|
41,113
|
Year 2
|
36,558
|
38,020
|
39,541
|
41,123
|
42,151
|
Grade 2
|
Year 1
|
37,402
|
38,898
|
40,454
|
42,072
|
43,124
|
Year 2
|
39,146
|
40,712
|
42,340
|
44,034
|
45,135
|
Field Officer Grade 1/4: Employees engaged on or after 1
July 2007
|
Grade 1
|
Year 1
|
35,658
|
37,084
|
38,567
|
40,110
|
41,113
|
Year 2
|
36,558
|
38,020
|
39,541
|
41,123
|
42,151
|
Grade 2
|
Year 1
|
37,402
|
38,898
|
40,454
|
42,072
|
43,124
|
Year 2
|
39,146
|
40,712
|
42,340
|
44,034
|
45,135
|
Grade 3 (A)
|
Year 1
|
44,668
|
46,455
|
48,313
|
50,246
|
51,502
|
Year 2
|
45,456
|
47,274
|
49,165
|
51,132
|
52,410
|
Grade 4 (A)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 1
|
46, 728
|
48,597
|
50,541
|
52,563
|
53,877
|
Year 2
|
47,572
|
49,475
|
51,454
|
53,512
|
54,850
|
Field Officer Grade 1/4: Employees engaged on or before 30
June 2007
|
Grade 1
|
Year 1
|
41,227
|
42,876
|
44,591
|
46,375
|
47,534
|
Year 2
|
41,997
|
43,677
|
45,424
|
47,241
|
48,422
|
Grade 2
|
Year 1
|
42, 628
|
44,333
|
46,106
|
47,950
|
49,149
|
Year 2
|
43,444
|
45,182
|
46,989
|
48,869
|
50,091
|
Grade 3 (A)
|
Year 1
|
44,668
|
46455
|
48313
|
50,246
|
51,502
|
Year 2
|
45,456
|
47274
|
49165
|
51,132
|
52,410
|
Grade 4 (A)
|
Year 1
|
46, 728
|
48,597
|
50,541
|
52,563
|
53,877
|
Year 2
|
47,572
|
49,475
|
51,454
|
53,512
|
54,850
|
Field Officer Grade B3/B4
|
Grade 3 (B)
|
Year 1
|
44,668
|
46,455
|
48,313
|
50,246
|
51,502
|
Year 2
|
45,456
|
47,274
|
49,165
|
51,132
|
52,410
|
Grade 4 (B)
|
Year 1
|
46, 728
|
48,597
|
50,541
|
52,563
|
53,877
|
Year 2
|
47,572
|
49,475
|
51,454
|
53,512
|
54,850
|
Senior Field Officer And Senior Field Officer (Plant)
|
Grade 1
|
Year 1
|
48,628
|
50,573
|
52,596
|
54,700
|
56,068
|
Year 2
|
49,455
|
51,433
|
53,490
|
55,630
|
57,021
|
Grade 2
|
Year 1
|
50,456
|
52,474
|
54,573
|
56,756
|
58,175
|
Year 2
|
51,511
|
53,571
|
55,714
|
57,943
|
59,392
|
Field Supervisor
|
Grade 1
|
Year 1
|
53,279
|
55,410
|
57,626
|
59,931
|
61,429
|
Year 2
|
54,500
|
56,680
|
58,947
|
61,305
|
62,838
|
Grade 2
|
Year 1
|
55,720
|
57,949
|
60,267
|
62,678
|
64,245
|
Year 2
|
56,942
|
59,220
|
61,589
|
64,053
|
65,654
|
Senior Field Supervisor
|
Grade 1
|
Year 1
|
61,778
|
64,249
|
66,819
|
69,492
|
71,229
|
Year 2
|
63,296
|
65,828
|
68,461
|
71,199
|
72,979
|
Grade 2
|
Year 1
|
64,815
|
67,408
|
70,104
|
72,908
|
74,731
|
Year 2
|
66,333
|
68,986
|
71,745
|
74,615
|
76,480
|
Progression Criteria
for Field Officer Classification
Progression Criteria
Field Officers
All Field Officer positions shall be at either the
level of Field Officer Grade 1-2 or Field Officer Grade 1-4. Field Officers shall progress by annual increment
subject to meeting the required progression criteria and competency levels as
specified in this Annexure.
Where a Field Officer fails to progress, it shall be
the responsibility of the Area Manager to discuss the reasons for the decision
with the officer concerned. The
discussion should also identify areas of where additional competencies or
necessary training, where appropriate.
Field Officer Grade 1
Appointment to this grade shall be subject to
competitive selection for advertised vacancies.
Appointment to this grade shall also be subject to:
(a) possession of a
current drivers licence; and
(b) the officer
having demonstrated the essential competencies from the Field Officer’s
competency schedule for Field Officer Grade 1.
Field Officer Grade 2
Progression to the level of Field Officer Grade 2 shall
be subject to:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service at Field Officer Grade 1;
(b) possession of a
current drivers licence; and
(c) the officer
having demonstrated the essential competencies from the Field Officer
competencies schedule for Field Officer Grade 2, as certified by the direct
supervisor and the Regional Manager.
Field Officer Grade 3
Progression to the level of Field Officer Grade 3 shall
be subject to:
(a) 12 months satisfactory
service at Field Officer Grade 2;
(b) drivers licence;
and
(c) the officer
having demonstrated the essential competencies from the Field Officers
Competency Schedule for Field Officer Grade 3 as certified by the direct
supervisor and Regional Manager.
In addition, joint assessment and certification by the
Regional Manager and the direct supervisor that the officer is competent at
performing the range of work required of a Field Officer Grade 3 and is also
able to demonstrate the efficient application of the skills/qualifications
attained.
Field Officer (Plant) Grade 3
This is an established position for a full time plant
operator.
Appointment to this position shall be subject to:
(a) the officer
having demonstrated the essential competency from the Field Officer Competency
schedule and these competencies being certified by the direct supervisor and
Regional Manager; and
(b) the officer
possessing the relevant certificates of competency for plant used.
Provided further that appointment to Field Officer
Plant shall be subject to competitive selection for advertised vacancies or by
way of transfer.
Field Officer Grade 4
Progression to Field Officer Grade 4 shall be subject
to:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service of Field Officer Grade 3; and
(b) all the
essential and 10 desirable competency requirements for a Field Officer Grade 3
from the Field Officer competencies schedule as certified by direct supervisor
and Regional Manager.
Field Officer (Plant) Grade 4
Progression to Field Officer (Plant) Grade 4 shall be
subject to:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service on salary of Field Officer (Plant) Grade 3; and
(b) all the
essential and 10 desirable competency requirements of a Field Officer (Plant)
Grade 3 and these being certified by the direct supervisor and the Regional
Manager.
Senior Field Officer Grade 1
Appointment to the position of Senior Field Officer
Grade 1 shall be subject to:
(a) competency
requirements for appointment to Field Officer Grade 4.
The Senior Field Officer Grade 1 is the minimum
classification for officers responsible for direct supervision of National
Parks and Wildlife Service officers, volunteers and contractors.
Senior Field Officer (Plant) Grade 1
Appointment to the position of Senior Field Officer
(Plant) Grade 1 shall be subject to:
(a) competency
requirements for appointment to Field Officer (Plant) Grade 4; and
(b) the officer
having demonstrated all the essential competencies as certified by direct
supervisor and Regional Manager.
Provided further that appointment to Senior Field
Officer Grade 1 and Senior Field Officer (Plant) Grade 1, shall be subject to
competitive selection for advertised vacancies.
Senior Field Officer Grade 2
Progression to the position of Senior Field Officer
Grade 2 shall be subject to:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service at Senior Field Officer Grade 1
(b) the officer
meeting the competency requirements for appointment to Senior Field Officer
Grade 1; and
(c) the officer
having demonstrated all essential and 5 desirables for Senior Field Officer
Grade 2, as certified by the direct supervisor and the Regional Manager.
Senior Field Officer (Plant) Grade 2
Progression to the position of Senior Field Officer (Plant)
Grade 2 shall be subject to:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service at Senior Field Officer (Plant) Grade 1;
(b) competency
requirements for appointment to Senior Field Officer Grade 1 (Plant); and
(c) the officer
having demonstrated all essential and 5 desirable competencies for Senior Field
Officer Grade 2 (Plant), as certified by direct supervisor and Regional
Manager.
Senior Field Officer Grade 3
This is a geographic position which will apply to
smaller Areas where by virtue of their size, a Field Supervisor is not
justified, but where as a consequence of the range of duties undertaken, the
Senior Field Officer would do the work of a Field Supervisor.
Progression to the positions of Senior Field Officer
Grade 3 is subject to:
(a) the officer having
demonstrated the appropriate level of skill and competency for the level of
Senior Field Officer Grade 3.
Field Supervisor Grade 1
Appointment to the position of Field Supervisor Grade 1
shall be subject to:
(a) competency requirements
for appointment to Field Supervisor Grade 1.
Senior Field Officer (Plant) are also eligible for appointment but must
demonstrate the wider skills required for general Senior Field Officer
classification; and
(b) the officer
having demonstrated the appropriate level of competency for Field Supervisor
Grade 1, as certified by direct supervisor and Regional Manager.
Field Supervisor Grade 2
Progression to the position of Field Supervisor Grade 2
shall be subject to:
(a) 12 months
satisfactory service at Field Supervisor Grade 1; and
(b) competency
requirements for appointment to Field Supervisor Grade 2 as certified by direct
supervisor and Regional Manager. Senior
Field Officers (Plant) are also eligible for appointment but must demonstrate
the wider skills required for general Senior Field Officers competencies.
Senior Field Supervisor
Appointment to the level of Senior Field Supervisor
Grade 1 shall be subject to:
(a) the officer
demonstrating all essential competency requirements for appointment to Field
Supervisor Grade 2, as certified by direct supervisor and Regional Manager.
Appointment to this classification shall be subject to
competitive selection for advertised vacancies.
Annexure 4
Casual Leave
Entitlements
Casual employees are entitled to unpaid parental leave
under Chapter 2, Part 4, Division 1, section 54, Entitlement to Unpaid Parental
Leave, in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act 1996. The following provisions shall apply in
addition to those set out in the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW).
The Chief Executive must not fail to re-engage a
regular casual employee (see section 53(2) of the Act) because:
(i) the employee or
employee's spouse is pregnant; or
(ii) the employee
is or has been immediately absent on parental leave.
The rights of an employer in relation to engagement and
re-engagement of casual employees are not affected, other than in accordance
with this clause.
Personal Carers entitlement for casual employees
(i) Casual employees
are entitled to not be available to attend work, or to leave work if they need
to care for a family member described in clause 26 who is sick and requires
care and support, or who require care due to an unexpected emergency, or the
birth of a child. This entitlement is subject to the evidentiary requirements
set out below in (iv), and the notice requirements set out in (v).
(ii) The Chief
Executive and the employee shall agree on the period for which the employee
will be entitled to not be available to attend work. In the absence of
agreement, the employee is entitled to not be available to attend work for up
to 48 hours (i.e. two days) per occasion. The casual employee is not entitled
to any payment for the period of non-attendance.
(iii) A Chief Executive
must not fail to re-engage a casual employee because the employee accessed the
entitlements provided for in this clause. The rights of an employer to engage
or not to engage a casual employee are otherwise not affected.
(iv) The casual
employee shall, if required,
(a) establish either
by production of a medical certificate or statutory declaration. the illness of
the person concerned and that the illness is such as to require care by another
person, or
(b) establish by
production of documentation acceptable to the employer or a statutory
declaration, the nature of the emergency and that such emergency resulted in
the person concerned requiring care by the employee.
(c) In normal
circumstances, a casual employees must not take carer's leave under this
subclause where another person has taken leave to care for the same person.
(v) The casual
employee must, as soon as reasonably practicable and during the ordinary hours
of the first day or shift of such absence, inform the employer of their
inability to attend for duty. If it is
not reasonably practicable to inform the employer during the ordinary hours of
the first day or shift of such absence, the employee will inform the employer
within 24 hours of the absence.
Bereavement entitlements for casual employees
Casual employees are entitled to not be available to
attend work, or to leave work upon the death in Australia of a family member on
production of satisfactory evidence (if required by the employer).
The Chief Executive and the casual employee shall agree
on the period for which the employee will be entitled to not be available to
attend work. In the absence of
agreement, the employee is entitled to not be available to attend work for up
to 48 hours (i.e. two days) per occasion. The casual employee is not entitled
to any payment for the period of non-attendance
A Chief Executive must not fail to re-engage a casual
employee because the employee accessed the entitlements provided for in this
clause. The rights of an employer to
engage or not engage a casual employee are otherwise not affected.
The casual employee must, as soon as reasonably
practicable and during the ordinary hours of the first day or shift of such
absence, inform the employer of their inability to attend for duty. If it is not reasonably practicable to
inform the employer during the ordinary hours of the first day or shift of such
absence, the employee will inform the employer within 24 hours of the absence.
PART C
Memorandum of
Understanding
Parties
The
parties to this Memorandum of Understanding are:
The
Director of Public Employment (Department of Environment and Conservation)
("the Department"); AND
The
Public Service Association and Professional Officers’ Association- Amalgamated
Union of New South Wales; and
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists
and Managers Australia (NSW Branch). ("The unions").
1. Introduction
1.1. This Memorandum of Understanding reflects
the agreement reached between the department and the unions in respect of
negotiations throughout 2004, 2005 and 2006 following the amalgamation of the
former National Parks and Wildlife Service; the former Resources NSW; the
Environment Protection Authority and the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain
Trust, into the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
1.2 This Memorandum will be implemented
through two awards -
The
Crown Employees (Department of Environment and Conservation) General -
Conditions of Employment Award, and
The
Crown Employees (Department of Environment and Conservation) Parks and Wildlife
- Conditions of Employment Award.
Both
the awards will be consent awards and will have a duration of 3 years
commencing from the date the Awards are made by the Industrial Relations
Commission of New South Wales.
1.3 The parties agree that the existing
Botanic Gardens Awards will be retained with agreed changes implemented by way
of a determination or determinations made pursuant to s.130 of the Public
Employment and Management Act 2002.
1.4 The parties agree to lodge the consent
award applications with the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales,
no later than 1 November 2006.
1.5 The parties also agree that none of the
conditions; allowances or any other monetary payments expressed in either of
the new awards or this memorandum will come into effect until such time as the
new awards have been made. All existing arrangements shall continue until such
time as the new awards are operative
1.6 This Memorandum shall have a term
commencing from the date the memorandum is signed by the parties until the
expiry of the two awards.
1.7 The parties agree that this Memorandum
shall also express the agreed position of the parties in respect of a number of
issues that have been the subject of negotiation but have not been included in
either of the awards.
1.8 The parties agree that both awards and any
Botanic Gardens determinations made subject to this Memorandum will include a
clause stating that, for the duration of the Awards, there shall be no further
claims in respect of conditions of employment; the payment of new allowances or
the quantum of existing allowances.
1.9 The parties agree that those matters not
addressed in this Memorandum or attachments to this Memorandum shall remain as
per the existing provisions of the current awards, save for those parts of the
award that require amendment to correct
dates; titles; spelling; grammar etc.
The
parties agree that this Memorandum of Understanding may be relied upon by any party
in respect of any proceeding before the Industrial Relations Commission of New
South Wales.
2. Matters Agreed - Non- Award
2.1 Departmental Performance Management
System: The parties agree that current performance management systems operating
within the Department and known as SPEADS; PMD and CAPS shall be replaced with
a single departmental wide performance management system. The parties further
agree that until such time as the new system is operational, the current
arrangements in situ for performance management shall continue.
2.2 Cultural Heritage Division: (a) The
parties agree that those positions currently known as Aboriginal Project
Officers 1-2 will transfer to the EPO 2-7 grade on the salary scale and Aboriginal
Project Officers 3-4 will transfer to the EPO 9 grade on the salary scale. The
date of transfer to the new salary scale shall be as at the date that the
awards are made.
(a) The parties agree to develop progression
criteria for the Aboriginal Project Officer positions after the signing of this
memorandum of understanding and prior to the making of the award.
(b) The parties agree that Aboriginal
Project/Research Officers who have already transitioned to the EPO salary scale
shall have a period of 12 months after the date of the making of the award to
submit an application for a progression. If such an application is successful,
then progression shall take place and salaries shall be paid as a personal
salary to the appropriate point on the Aboriginal Project/Research officer
salary scale.
(c) The parties agree that all other staff
currently employed within the Cultural Heritage Division will transfer to the
closest salary point on the EPO salary scale that is equal to or less than
their existing salary rate. The parties agree that where such a transfer would
result in the employee being paid at a lower rate, the employee shall be paid a
personal salary to the equivalent amount paid under the previous salary scale;
such personal salary rate to continue until such time as the employee vacates
the transferred position or receives an increment that would take them past
their previous personal salary. The parties further agree that there is no
requirement or need for any of the positions effected by sub-clause (d) to
undergo a job evaluation so as to facilitate the transfer to the new salary
scale.
(d) The parties agree that all staff
transferred from the Cultural Heritage Division to the EPO salary scale who
currently receive the remote area allowance as per the Crown Employees (NPWS)
Conditions of Employment 2000 award (clause 5 (D)) shall be paid the difference
in the amount paid pursuant to this award and the amount paid pursuant to the
Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award as a personal
salary whilst they continue to occupy the same position.
2.3 Interim Award Arrangements: (a) the
parties agree that the arrangement made
between the parties following the amalgamation of the department (the interim
award arrangement) shall cease upon the making of the new awards
(a) the parties further agree that all staff
employed in Policy & Science Division (PSD); Environment Protection and
Regulation Division(EPRD); Sustainability Programs Division (SPD), Corporate
Services Division (CSD); Strategy Communication and Governance Division
(SC&GD) pursuant to the Crown Employees (NPWS) Conditions of Employment
2000 Award will transfer to the closest salary point on the EPO salary scale
that is equal to or less than their salary rate.
(b) The parties agree that where such a
transfer would result in the employee being paid at a lower rate, the employee
shall be paid a personal salary to the equivalent amount paid under the
previous salary scale; such personal salary rate to continue until such time as
the employee vacates the position to which they were transferred or receives an
increment that would take them past their previous personal salary.
(c) The parties agree that in the case of two
officers employed in the Threatened Fauna and Ecology Unit, the 5/7 allowance
currently paid to these officers will cease but the equivalent amount will be
paid by way of a salary adjustment which shall be regarded as a personal salary
for as long as the officers concerned continue to occupy their current
positions.
(d) The parties agree that Project/Research
Officers who have already transitioned to the EPO salary scale shall have a
period of 12 months after the date of the making of the award to submit an
application for progression. If such an application is successful, then
progression will take place and salary shall be paid as a personal salary to
the appropriate point on the PRO salary scale.
2.4 Review of Competency Standards for Rangers
and Roles of Senior Rangers: (a) The parties agree that the Department shall
undertake a
review
of the operation of competency standards as currently applied in respect of
rangers.
review
of roles of Senior Rangers.
(a) The parties agree that these reviews shall
be commenced as soon as is practicable after the signing of this Memorandum of
Understanding.
2.5 Review of Remote Areas Allowance : The
parties agree to enter into discussions with a view to updating the Remote Area
Allowances. The parties further agree such
discussions would commence after the new award arrangements have been
implemented but no later than 1 July 2007. The parties also agree that if the
parties can reach agreement in respect of the remote areas allowance the
relevant award will be varied by consent to reflect the agreed position.
3. Matters Agreed - for Inclusion in the
Awards.
3.1 Study Assistance: the parties agree that
both the awards and the BGT determination shall incorporate the agreed position
in respect of study assistance. The details of the agreed position are set out
in Attachment 1 to this agreement.
3.2 Contact with Employees on Parental or
Maternity Leave: the parties agree to insert within the Parks and Wildlife
Division Award a clause containing the following words: "maintain contact
with employees specifically in the context of workplace change, restructuring
and office relocations and attendance at relevant training courses."
3.3 Families and Fieldwork: the parties agree
that the provisions as set out in clause 36(i);(vi); and (vii) of the Crown
Employees (National Parks and Wildlife) Conditions of Employment 2000 Award
shall be included within both of the new awards.
3.4 Pattern of Hours Worked and Flexitime: (a)
the parties agree that a new common provision setting out the pattern of hours
and flexitime will be included in both new awards and BGT determination. The
new provision shall adopt elements of the system currently in place for Parks
and Wildlife Division staff and the system currently in place for EPO staff under
the current EPA Award. The parties agree that the details of the provision to
be included in the awards are as set out in Attachment 2 to this Memorandum of
Understanding;
(a) the parties further agree that in DEC
(General) Award and in the BGT determination the new provisions shall reflect a
Coretime of 10.00 to 15.00 and a Bandwidth of 10.5 hours commencing at 7:30
a.m. and ceasing at 6:00 p.m. The parties agree that core time and bandwidth
may be varied only in circumstances where prior approval has been granted for
such a variation;
(b) the parties further agree that in PWD,
consistent with clause 10 Hours of the NPWS Award, (vi) "A roster of hours
and days must be set and agreed to in writing 2 weeks before the 4 week roster
period starts" appropriate administrative arrangements will be put in
place.
3.5 Incident Conditions: (a) the parties agree
to include within the new The Crown Employees (Department of Environment and
Conservation) General - Conditions of Employment Award a clause which will enable
suitably qualified staff to be temporarily assigned to the following specific
incident positions as currently defined in the Crown Employees (National Parks
and Wildlife Service) Conditions of Employment 2000 Award -
Incident
Controller
Logistics
Officer
Planning
Officer
Operations
Officer
Divisional
Commander
Sector
Commander
Crew
Leader
Crew
Member
And/or
to the following positions which the parties agree shall be added to the relevant
clause of the Crown Employees (Department of Environment and Conservation)
Parks and Wildlife - Conditions of Employment Award -
Deputy
Incident Controller
Safety
officer
Situation
Officer
Situation
Unit Leader
Resource
Officer
Resources
Unit Leader
Air
Attack Supervisor
Air
Operations Manager
Air
Base Manager
Air
Observer.
(a) the parties further agree, that staff
assigned to undertake such roles shall be paid the relevant wage/salary for the
position for the period they occupy the position during the incident.
(b) the parties agree that other staff covered
by The Crown Employees (Department of Environment and Conservation) General -
Conditions of Employment Award who are assigned to non-specific incident
positions during a defined incident shall be paid their normal salary rate for
ordinary hours worked with overtime payable for the time worked beyond the
employee’s agreed bandwidth.
(c) the parties agree that rates for current
specific incident positions shall be adjusted
to reflect increases under the Crown Employees (Public Service Salaries)
Award since 1997.
(d) the parties agree that all designated
incident positions (current and additional) shall undergo an evaluation process
as soon as is practicable after the commencement of the new award.
3.6 After Hours Incident Service: (a) the
parties agree that The Crown Employees (Department of Environment and
Conservation) General - Conditions of Employment Award shall incorporate the late
call allowance into the weekly allowance that will result in the weekly
allowance being $339.00 per week with an additional amount of $104.00 for each
public holiday that falls on a weekday in a roster week;
(a) the parties further agree that the out of
hours disturbance allowance currently paid to supervising officers will be
reviewed as part of the general review of the procedural guidelines governing
the operation of the After Hours Incident Service;
(b) the parties agree that these
allowances will be adjusted in line with the Crown Employees (Public Sector
Salaries 2004) Award or any successor instrument to this award.
3.7 Qualification Requirements: the parties
agree to insert a clause within the Crown Employees (Department of Environment
and Conservation) General - Conditions of Employment Award which states:
"The parties agree that qualifications are not to
be used as barriers to appointment or promotion, however, where appropriate,
eg. for technical competency and legal requirements; position descriptors will
include qualifications."
Attachment 1
DEC General and DEC (PWD) & BGT Determination
Study Assistance
(i) DEC will
support employees gaining additional skills through formal study and who are
progressing through their course in a consistent way based on the timeframe
indicated by the providing institution.
Where a subject is failed an intention to catch-up must be demonstrated.
(ii) Employees are
entitled to apply for study time and study leave in accordance with the
provision of the Personnel Handbook 1999 or subsequent revision.
(iii) The following
costs associated with courses -
Higher Education Contribution Help scheme Fee; or
TAFE compulsory
fees: or
Compulsory post-graduate fees; or
Compulsory full fee paying course fees
will be reimbursed by the Department in accordance with
the guidelines following.
(iv) The proportion
of fees to be reimbursed where the employee’s application for study assistance
has been approved under these guidelines, and:
(a) is their first
qualification as an employee of DEC: 100% to a maximum of $4,000 per annum
refunded where the resultant qualification is directly relevant to DEC
operations or needs and is approved as such by the Director General; or
(b) is their second
or successive qualification as an employee of DEC: 50% refunded to a maximum of
$2,000 per annum where the resultant qualification is directly relevant to DEC
operations or needs and is approved as such by the Director General.
(v) Approval for
assistance will be considered annually and refunds will be paid for a maximum
of six annual approvals up to a total amount of $24,000 in respect of subclause
(iv)(a) or $12,000 in respect of sub-clause (iv)(b), where other requirements
have been met as in subclause (viii) below.
(vi) At the
discretion of the Director General and where the Director General determines
that it is in the interests of the Department, approval may be given for a
maximum of eight annual approvals as set out in (v) above.
(vii) To be eligible
to receive a refund, an employee must:
(a) have been
employed in the Department prior to the final examination in the academic
period under consideration and also be in employment on the date reimbursement
is requested;
(b) produce evidence
of having successfully completed a full stage of an approved course (or the
subjects enrolled in at the start of a semester/year); and
(c) produce receipts
substantiating payments made for compulsory fees or HECS fee incurred.
(viii) Staff members who
received prior approval for study assistance:
(a) under this
clause or similar clause/policy of a related entity, and
(b) commenced the
approved course/subject under the award or policy at the time, and
(c) there is no
break in the continuity of study and successful completion.
Will be regarded as under the award clause or policy
until the completion of the approved course/study. Any subsequent application for study assistance will be treated
as a second application under subclause (iv)(b) of this clause.
(ix) The costs
associated with courses as outlined in subclause (iii) above are based on
current 2006 costs. The parties to this
Award agree, where there is a significant increase in costs the parties shall
seek to resolve any increase in the listed amounts in subclauses (iv) (a)(b)
above. Where no agreement is reached
leave is reserved to seek the assistance of the Industrial Relations
Commission.
Attachment 2
DEC General as
part of current EPA Flexitime clause, BGT Determination and DEC (PWD) clause
Pattern of Hours
(i) Pattern of
hours is the way hours are worked each settlement period; ie, start/finish
times and days of the week for 7-day roster workers.
(ii) Patterns of
hours can be either flexitime, where start/finish times are flexible within the
bandwidth; or, determined where start/finish times are set.
A. Flexitime
(i) Employees are
able to take two (2) flexi days off in a settlement period, as long as they
have accumulated enough hours to do so.
(ii) With prior
management approval, employees may accumulate a credit balance of 14-35 hours
to enable them to have up to 5 flexi days in a settlement period, to be taken
at a mutually convenient time.
(iii) Employees who
continually fail to take annual leave as a result of taking extended periods of
flex leave may be placed on standard hours by management following appropriate
consultation until a reasonable leave balance is established in accordance with
the award provisions.
(iv) Supervisors will
have full and open 24 hour access to Employees’ time sheet records and records
pertaining to an employee flex leave.
(v) Employees may
carry forward to the next settlement period, in accordance with i) and ii)
above a credit balance of up to 35 hours or a debit balance of 10 hours.
(vi) Flex leave can
be taken at either the beginning or end of a period of leave.
(vii) Flexidays can
be taken as either 1/2 days or full days. Time outside the bandwidth will not
accrue to flexitime balance.
(viii) Employees must
have prior approval before taking flex leave.
(ix) On cessation of
duty Flexi Credits will be dealt with in accordance with Clause 20 (n) of the
Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2002 as varied.
C.
G. STAFF J.
____________________
Printed by
the authority of the Industrial Registrar.