All GRLC employees are classified according to the band and level structure within Schedule A of the Geelong Regional Library Enterprise Agreement (2020).
The schedule describes the accountability and extent of authority; judgement and decision-making skills; along with core knowledge and skills applicable to the banding and level.
This sets out clear performance expectations at all levels of the workforce for Geelong Regional Library Corporation employees. Below is the full list of classifications expected for this position.
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
Band 6
Band 7
Band 8
A position in Band 3 has the following job characteristics:
3.1.1 These positions are essentially doing jobs and are often the providers of information and support to clients and/or to more senior employees.
3.1.2 The work is performed within specific guidelines and under general supervision.
3.1.3 The freedom to act is limited by standards, procedures, the content of the position description and the nature of the work assigned to the position from time to time. Nevertheless employees in this Band should have sufficient freedom to plan their work at least several days in advance.
3.1.4 Outcomes of work are readily observable.
3.1.5 The effect of decisions and actions taken in this Band is usually limited to a localised work group or function.
The nature of the work is clearly defined with procedures well understood and clearly documented. The particular tasks to be performed may involve selection from a limited range of existing techniques, systems, equipment, methods or processes in a defined range of recurring work situations. Guidance and advice is always available.
3.3 Specialised knowledge and skills
3.3.1 These positions require proficiency in the application of standardised procedures, practices and/or in the operation of equipment or knowledge of the use of plant which requires the exercise of a limited degree of skill.
3.3.2 An understanding may be required of the function of the position within its organisational context, including relevant policies and procedures.
3.4.1 These positions require basic skills in managing time and planning and organising one’s own work so as to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way within resources available and within a set timetable.
3.4.2 Employees in this Band may assist other employees by providing guidance, advice and training on routine technical, procedural or Administrative/ Professional matters.
These positions require skills in oral and written communication with clients, other employees and members of the public and in the resolution of minor problems.
3.6.1 The skills and knowledge needed for entry to this Band would normally be acquired through four years of secondary education plus a short industry-based training course or some on-the-job training.
3.6.2 Knowledge and skills gained through on-the-job training of at least 12 months commensurate with the requirements of work in this Band.
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A position in Band 4 has the following job characteristics:
4.1 Accountability and extent of authority
4.1.1 Some positions in this Band are essentially doing jobs and are often the providers of information to clients and/or information and support to more senior employees. Some positions may also supervise resources including other employees and/or regulate clients.
4.1.2 The freedom to act is limited by standards and procedures encompassed by the nature of the work assigned to the position from time to time. The work generally falls within specific guidelines, but with scope to exercise discretion in the application of established standards and procedures.
4.1.3 Employees in this Band should have sufficient freedom to plan their work at least a week in advance.
4.1.4 The effect of decisions and actions are usually limited to a localised work group or function, individual jobs or clients, or to internal procedures and processes.
4.2 Judgement and decision making
Employees in this Band require:
4.2.1 In these positions, the objectives of the work are well defined but the particular method, process or equipment to be used must be selected from a range of available alternatives. For Supervisors, the process often requires the quantification of the amount of resources needed to meet those objectives.
4.2.2 Guidance and advice are always available within the time available to make a choice.
4.3 Specialist knowledge and skills
4.3.1 An understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes used within their operating unit.
4.3.2 An understanding of the function of the position within its organisational context, including relevant policies, regulations and precedents and an understanding of the goals of the unit in which they work and where appropriate, an appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation.
4.3.3 Proficiency in the application of standardised procedures, practices, Acts and Regulations and an understanding of relevant precedents, previous decisions and/or proficiency in the operation of equipment or knowledge of the use of plant which require the exercise of considerable skill or adaptation.
4.4 Management skills
4.4.1 The employee must have a basic knowledge of personnel practices and be able to provide employees under their supervision with on-the-job training and guidance.
4.4.2 All positions necessitate skills in managing time and planning and organising one’s own work.
4.5 Inter-personal skills
4.5.1 Positions in this Band require the ability to gain co-operation and assistance from clients, members of the public and other employees in the administration of well-defined activities and in the supervision of employees where applicable.
4.5.2 Employees in this Band require skills in written communication to enable the preparation of routine correspondence and reports if required.
4.6 Qualifications and experience
4.6.1 The skills and knowledge needed for entry to this Band are beyond those normally acquired through secondary education alone.
4.6.2 Typically they would be gained through completion of a post-trade certificate or other post-secondary qualification below diploma or degree or knowledge and skills gained through on-the-job training commensurate with the requirements of the work at this Band.
A position at Band 5 level has the following characteristics:
5.1 Accountability and extent of authority
5.1.1 Positions in this Band may supervise resources, other employees or groups of employees and/or provide advice to or regulate clients and/or give support to more senior employees.
5.1.2 In positions where the prime responsibility is for resource supervision, the freedom to act is governed by clear objectives and/or budgets, frequent prior consultation with more senior staff and a regular reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to plans.
5.1.3 In positions where the prime responsibility is to provide specialist advice to clients or to regulate clients, the freedom to act is subject to close supervision or to clear guidelines. The effect of decisions and actions taken on individual clients may be significant but the decisions and actions are always subject to appeal or review by more senior employees.
5.1.4 In positions where the prime responsibility is to provide direct support and assistance to more senior employees, the freedom to act is not limited simply by standards and procedures, and the quality of decisions and actions taken will often have an impact upon the performance of the employees being supported.
5.2 Judgement and decision making
5.2.1 In these positions, the objectives of the work are usually well defined but the particular method, technology, process or equipment to be used must be selected from a range of available alternatives.
5.2.2 The work may involve solving problems, using procedures and guidelines and the application of professional or technical knowledge, or knowledge acquired through relevant experience.
5.2.3 Problems are occasionally of a complex or technical nature with solutions not related to previously encountered situations and some creativity and originality is required.
5.2.4 Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice.
5.3 Specialist knowledge and skills
5.3.1 Supervisors in this Band require an understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes used within their operating unit.
5.3.2 Specialists and employees involved in interpreting regulations require an understanding of the underlying principles involved as distinct from the practices.
5.3.3 Support employees also require an understanding of the role and function of the senior employees to whom they provide support, an understanding of the long term goals of the unit in which they work, and an appreciation of the goals of the wider organisation.
5.3.4 All employees in this Band require an understanding of the function of the position within its organisational context, including relevant policies, regulations and precedents.
5.4 Management skills
5.4.1 These positions require skills in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising one’s own work and in appropriate circumstances that of other employees so as to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within a set timetable.
5.4.2 Where supervision is part of the job, the position requires an understanding of and ability to implement personnel practices including those related to equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety and employees training and development.
5.5 Interpersonal skills
5.5.1 These positions require the ability to gain co-operation and assistance from clients, members of the public and other employees in the administration of well defined activities and in the supervision of other employees where appropriate.
5.5.2 Employees in this Band will be expected to write reports in their field of expertise and/or to prepare external correspondence.
5.6 Qualifications and experience
5.6.1 The skills and knowledge needed for entry to this Band are beyond those normally acquired through completion of secondary education alone.
5.6.2 They might be acquired through completion of a degree or diploma course with little or no relevant work experience, or through lesser formal qualifications with relevant work skills, or through relevant experience and work skills commensurate with the requirements of the work in this Band.
A position in Band 6 has the following job characteristics:
6.1 Accountability and extent of authority
6.1.1 Positions in this Band may manage resources and/or provide advice to or regulate clients and/or provide input into the development of policy.
6.1.2 In positions where the prime responsibility is for resource management, the freedom to act is governed by clear objectives and/or budgets with a regular reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to goals and objectives. The effect of decisions and actions taken at this level is usually limited to the quality or cost of the programs and projects being managed.
6.1.3 In positions where the prime responsibility is to provide specialist advice to clients or to regulate clients, the freedom to act is subject to regulations and policies and regular supervision. The effect of decisions and actions taken in this Band on individual clients may be significant but it is usually subject to appeal or review by more senior employees.
6.1.4 Few positions in this Band are primarily involved in policy development. Where they are, the work is usually of an investigative and analytical nature, with the freedom to act prescribed by a more senior position. The quality of the output of these positions can have a significant effect on the process of policy development.
6.1.5 Many positions in this Band would have a formal input into policy development within their area of expertise and/or management.
6.1.6 In the case of a Child Care Worker this may include a Director of a child care centre or a Child Care Worker undertaking duties in excess of those referred to in Band 5.
6.2 Judgement and decision making
The nature of the work is usually specialised with methods, procedures and processes developed from theory or precedent. The work may involve improving and/or developing methods and techniques generally based on previous experience. Problem solving may involve the application of these techniques to new situations. Guidance and advice are usually available.
6.3 Specialist knowledge and skills
6.3.1 Typically, these positions require proficiency in the application of a theoretical or scientific discipline, including the underlying principles as distinct from the practices.
6.3.2 All positions require an understanding of the long term goals of the functional unit in which the position is placed and of the relevant policies of both the unit and the wider organisation.
6.3.3 Some positions in this Band, particularly those where the primary function is to manage resources, require a familiarity with relevant budgeting techniques.
6.4 Management skills
6.4.1 These positions require skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising one’s own work and where appropriate that of other employees so as to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within a set timetable.
6.4.2 Where management of employees is part of the job, the position requires an understanding of and an ability to implement personnel practices including those related to equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety and employees development.
6.5 Inter-personal skills
6.5.1 These positions require the ability to gain co-operation and assistance from clients, members of the public and other employees in the administration of defined activities and in the supervision of other employees.
6.5.2 All employees in this Band must also be able to liaise with their counterparts in other organisations to discuss specialist matters and with other employees in other functions in their own organisation to resolve intra-organisational problems.
6.6 Qualifications and experience
6.6.1 The skills and knowledge needed for entry to this Band are beyond those normally acquired through tertiary education alone.
6.6.2 Typically, they would be gained through completion of a degree or diploma course with some relevant experience. They might also be acquired through lesser formal qualifications and substantial relevant experience, or through substantial relevant experience in the field of specialist expertise.
A position in Band 7 has the following job characteristics:
7.1 Accountability and extent of authority
7.1.1 Positions in this Band may manage resources and/or provide advice to or regulate clients and/or participate in the development of policy.
7.1.2 In positions where the prime responsibility is for resource management, the freedom to act is governed by policies, objectives and budgets with a regular reporting mechanism to ensure achievement of goals and objectives. Decisions and actions taken at this level may have a significant effect on the programs or projects being managed or on the public perception of the wider organisation.
7.1.3 In positions where the prime responsibility is to provide specialist advice to or regulate clients, the freedom to act is subject to professional and regulatory review. The impact of decisions made or advice given may have a substantial impact on individual clients or classes of clients.
7.1.4 In positions where the prime responsibility is in policy formulation, the work may be of an investigative, analytical or creative nature, with the freedom to act generally prescribed by a more senior position. The quality of the work of these positions can have a significant effect on the policies which are developed.
7.1.5 All positions in this Band would have an input into policy development within their area of expertise and/or management.
7.1.6 In the case of a Child Care Worker this may include a Director in charge of more than one child care centre or a Director of a child care centre undertaking duties in excess of those referred to in Band 6.
7.2 Judgement and decision making
7.2.1 These positions are essentially problem solving in nature. The nature of the work is specialised with methods, procedures and processes generally developed from theory or precedent. The problem solving process comes from the application of these established techniques to new situations and the need to recognise when these established techniques are not appropriate. Guidance is not always available within the organisation.
7.2.2 In positions where the prime responsibility is in policy formulation, the primary challenge will be intellectual and will typically require the identification and analysis of an unspecified range of options before a recommendation can be made.
7.3 Specialist knowledge and skills
7.3.1 These positions require proficiency in the application of a theoretical or scientific discipline in the search for solutions to new problems and opportunities.
7.3.2 Where the prime responsibility is in policy formulation, analytical and investigative skills are required to enable the formulation of policy options from within a broad organisation-wide framework.
7.3.3 An understanding is required of the long term goals of the wider organisation and of its values and aspirations and of the legal and political context in which it operates.
7.3.4 Knowledge of and familiarity with the principles and practices of budgeting and relevant accounting and financial procedures may be required.
7.4 Management skills
7.4.1 These positions require skills in managing time, setting priorities and planning and organising one’s own work and where appropriate that of other employees so as to achieve specific and set objectives in the most efficient way possible within the resources available and within a set timetable despite conflicting pressures.
7.4.2 In this Band, the position requires an understanding and an ability to implement personnel policies and practices including awards, equal opportunity and occupational health and safety policies, recruitment and selection procedures and techniques, position descriptions and employees development schemes. They would be also expected to contribute to the development and implementation of long term staffing strategies.
7.5 Inter-personal skills
7.5.1 These positions require the ability to gain co-operation and assistance from clients, members of the public and other employees in the administration of broadly defined activities and to motivate and develop employees.
7.5.2 Employees in this Band must also be able to liaise with their counterparts in other organisations to discuss and resolve specialist problems and with other employees within their own organisation to resolve intra-organisational problems.
7.6 Qualifications and experience
7.6.1 The skills and knowledge needed for entry to this Band are beyond those normally acquired through tertiary education alone.
7.6.2 Typically, they would be gained through completion of a degree or diploma course with several years of subsequent relevant experience. They might also be acquired through higher formal qualifications either in the field of specialist expertise or in management, together with a shorter period of experience, or they might be acquired through lesser formal qualifications with extensive relevant experience.
A Position in Band 8 has the following job characteristics:
8.1 Accountability and extent of authority
8.1.1 Positions in this Band may manage resources and/or regulatory or specialist units and/or develop and interpret policy.
8.1.2 In positions where the prime responsibility is for resource management the freedom to act is governed by broad goals, policies and budgets with periodic reviews to ensure conformity with those goals and a reporting mechanism to ensure adherence to budgets. Decisions and actions taken in this Band may have a substantial effect on the operational unit being managed or on the public perception of the wider organisation.
8.1.3 In positions where the prime responsibility is to manage regulatory or specialist units, the freedom to act is governed by the goals and policies of the organisation and by statute and subordinate legislation. Decisions and actions taken at this level may have a substantial effect on the community or sections of it.
8.1.4 In positions where the prime responsibility is to develop policy options and strategic plans, the freedom to act is wide and limited only to the areas nominated by Employer or the corporate management. The advice and counsel provided by these positions is relied upon for guidance and part-justification for adopting particular policies the impact of which may be substantial upon the organisation and/or the community.
8.2 Judgement and decision making
These positions generally involve both problem solving and policy development. Methods, procedures and processes are less well defined and employees are expected to contribute to their development and adaptation. The work will typically require the identification and analysis of an unspecified range of options before a choice can be made. Employees at this level will identify and develop policy options in their own functional area for consideration and choice by their Manager or by Employer.
8.3 Specialist knowledge and skills
8.3.1 These positions require proficiency in the application of theoretical or scientific approaches in the search for solutions to new problems and opportunities which may be outside the original field of specialisation by the employee.
8.3.2 An understanding is required of the long term goals of the wider organisation and of its values and aspirations and of the legal and socio-economic and political context in which it operates.
8.3.3 A sound knowledge of budgeting and relevant accounting and financial procedures is essential except for specialist positions where such knowledge may not be required.
8.4 Management skills
8.4.1 Positions in this Band typically involve the supervision of large numbers of employees or the supervision of tertiary qualified employees or employees with extensive experience.
8.4.2 Management skills are required to achieve objectives and goals, taking account of organisational and external constraints and opportunities.
8.5 Inter-personal skills
Positions require the ability to persuade, convince or negotiate with clients, members of the public, other employees, tribunals and persons in other organisations in the pursuit and achievement of specific and set objectives. Employees at this level must be able to lead, motivate and develop other employees.
8.6 Qualifications and experience
8.6.1 The skills and knowledge needed for entry to this Band are beyond those normally acquired through a degree course and experience in the field of the employee’s specialist expertise alone.
8.6.2 Typically, the necessary skills and knowledge would be gained through further formal qualifications in the field of expertise or in management, or through at least four years of experience in another specialised field.
8.6.3 Alternatively, they might be acquired through lesser formal qualifications together with extensive and diverse experience, or intensive specialist experience.
