Employment information

Pre-employment medical examination

As part of the employment process you will be required to satisfactorily complete a medical examination undertaken by Council's doctor. No formal offer of employment will be made until the medical has been completed. The cost of the examination will be met by Council.

Hours of work

The majority of Council's salaried staff work 35 hours per week. Employees work under a flexible working policy which allows them to take a maximum of two days off per month in consultation with their supervisor.

Council's wages staff work 38 hours per week with a rostered day off every two weeks.

Pay arrangements

You will be paid on a weekly basis with your pay being deposited directly to an account nominated by you.

Union membership

Membership of a relevant union is optional. If you wish to join the union your membership subscription can be deducted from your pay.

Parking

All day parking is available in close proximity to Council.

Annual leave

Four weeks annual leave is granted to all full time employees each year and staff are encouraged to take their accrued leave entitlement each year. Part-time employees receive the same entitlement on a pro-rata basis.

Sick leave

Three weeks sick leave is granted to employees each year. Sick leave not taken is accrued indefinitely.

When sick leave is taken, proof of illness to justify payment will be required after 2 days absence or after 3 separate periods in each service year.

Carer's leave

If you are responsible for the care of any person outlined below, leave may be taken from your sick leave entitlement for the purpose of caring for and supporting that person when he/she is sick:

• your spouse or defacto spouse
• your child, parent, parents of spouse, grandparent, grandchild or siblings of you or your spouse or defacto spouse
• your relative by blood or marriage, who resides with you.

Long service leave

Employees are entitled to 6.5 weeks leave after 5 years' service, a further 6.5 weeks after 10 and 15 years' service and then 11 days for each additional 5 years' service.

Leave may be transferred from another Council provided there are not more than 3 months when leaving one Council for another. Such period is covered by accrued annual and long service leave, and the employee does not engage in work of any kind during this period.

Bereavement leave

Employees are granted up to 2 days leave in the event of the death of a close relative.

 

Parental leave

Parental leave is available to employees who have been employed continuously by Council for 12 months. The maximum period of absence is 52 weeks and this includes all forms of leave used in conjunction with parental leave. The male/other partner may take parental leave provided the combined leave does not exceed 52 weeks.

Paid maternity leave

Paid maternity leave is available to full time and part time female employees who have been employed continuously by Council for 12 months prior to the commencement of the maternity leave. It is also available to casual female employees who have worked on a regular and systematic basis with Council for at least 12 months prior to the commencement of maternity leave.

Paid maternity leave is leave taken by a female employee in connection with the pregnancy or the birth of a child of the employee. A female employee will be entitled to a total of 9 weeks paid maternity leave on full pay or 18 weeks paid maternity leave on half pay provided that the employee will be the primary care giver to the child and that paid maternity leave will be not taken in conjunction with any partner accessing paid parental leave entitlements.

Superannuation

Superannuation exists for Council employees through Future Plus Super. Occupational superannuation is also paid on your behalf by Council.

Social Club

An active Social Club is in operation for employees. A small weekly contribution via the payroll is made which covers mainly the cost of the Council Christmas function for you (if applicable).

Leisure Centre

Council owns and operates Kiama Leisure Centre. Employees are encouraged to join the facility and payments can be made pre-tax from their pay.

Working environment

Council provides a smoke-free working environment for the general health of its employees and is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Council structure

Council is comprised of 9 elected Councillors and Ordinary Council Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, commencing at 5pm. Directors and some specialist staff are required to attend Council Meetings.

A number of Committees, including Traffic, Blue Haven Retirement Village and Kiama Community Centre also meet on a regular basis making recommendations to Council.

Management structure

Total staff level is approximately 205 full time. However, with part-time and casual employees, Council's payroll consists of approximately 440 employees managed by department heads serving the present Councillors.