Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2003/Be a career manager

A number of positions are becoming available so it is time to consider a job as a career manager.

By WO Peter Whitehead

A sailors career manager delivers employment and advancement opportunities that balance the career management aspirations of sailors with the requirements of the Service. They work in conjunction with the policy directorates and the training authorities.

Management of sailors' careers is a joint effort involving the sailor, their divisional staff and command, and Directorate of Sailors' Career Management (DSCM) which is part of the Naval Personnel and Training branch of Navy Systems Command. All of these elements must work closely together to ensure Navy's needs are met while balancing the sailor's aspirations.

Effectively managing the above, places a high demand on a career manager's understanding of up-todate policies and the future direction of the Navy.

Being a career manager is not just about finding someone to fill a vacant position. It represents a challenging and extremely rewarding opportunity to help shape the careers of our sailors albeit involving a complexity of career management issues and processes.

A career manager is no longer just about posting personnel to fill positions, it involves the formulation of strategies to best implement career management plans for senior and junior sailors of all categories.

Not everybody gets what they want. We cannot please everybody all the time, however, every Employment Preferences and Restrictions form (AD148) submitted to DSCM is read and considered by the individual's career manager.

To manage a sailor's career, and provide the best possible service to them, DSCM is split into three Career Management Cells:

• Seaman and Communications (Cell 1)
• Supply, Aviation, Health and Submariners (Cell 2); and
• Technical (Cell 3).

At least once per year, career managers attempt to travel to every ship and establishment Australia wide. This is to conduct career management presentations and individual interviews.

Our aim is to conduct a one-on-one interview with each sailor to discuss their requirements, their progression and their future direction. On return to Canberra, all the gathered data is entered into a database and action, as appropriate, is taken.

In addition to career management visits, the career managers contribute to individual category development by discussing policy and personnel issues at the biannual Category Advisory Group (CAG) meetings, and by maintaining a close liaison with the Category Sponsor.

All motivated self-starting Chief Petty Officers, who want to further their experience in Human Resource Management, and are interested in a challenging, rewarding two years should explore becoming a Career Manager.

The position of a career manager is very challenging and will not interest everyone, however, we suggest that before you volunteer to serve at DSCM, you ask yourself the following:

• Do I possess very good communication skills ? (This is essential as you speak to people from the rank of Seaman through to Commodore)
• Do I possess very good inter-personal skills ? (Once again essential due to the amount of liaison required by the career manager and all ranks throughout the Australian Defence Organisation)
• Do I have general computer knowledge? (Previous experience with MS Word, Excel, Power-point and database applications is desirable, however, training is provided)
• Do I hold a current motor vehicle drivers licence? (Used for hire cars on career management visits)
• Do I desire to leave my present location and reside in the Canberra area, with a strong possibility of a follow-on posting in area?
• Have I got a well-developed sense of humour?

So, what does a career manager do?

Career managers:

• Plan and implement the career management plans for sailors
• Travel as necessary to conduct presentations and individual career interviews
• Undertake ad-hoc posting action Draft signals and correspondence relating to posting matters
• Maintain for the sailors they manage:

• • Posting records
  • Sea/shore rosters
  • Lists of volunteers for specific positions/operations
  • Lists of special qualifications held
  • Lists of personnel on medical category
  • An overview of applications for Transfer of Category

Expressions of interest from prospective applicants are to be accompanied by a Divisional Officer's report and a Commanding Officer's recommendation.

A number of career management positions are becoming available in 2004. Some of these positions have been advertised already and some will be advertised around December or January 2004.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact your current career manager, or WO Peter Whitehead on (02) 6265 3308, or peter.whitehead2@defence.gov.au.