Office of the Public Service Commissioner

Full description

Establishment

The position of the Public Service Commissioner was established under Section 44 of the Public Sector Management Act 1992 (No.68 of 1992) replacing the Public Service Board (VA 886).

The specific duties of the Commissioner were set out in Section 45 of the Act. These can be summarised the following broad functions:

* determination of public sector employment policies, including the development, establishment and application of guidelines, procedures, a code of conduct for public servants and merit selection principles including the establishment of review and appeal mechanisms through the appointment of a Tribunal and grievance mediator

* advisory responsibilities regarding public sector employment issues including remuneration and personnel policy and practice, and

* responsibility for the establishment of selection committees and recruitment of Department Heads and prescribed officers identified in Section 17(1) of the Act.

The Commissioner must act independently in the performing these duties and is assisted by an Office under his/her control. The Office receives administrative support from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (VA 1039).

This is the second position titled Public Service Commissioner to be created. The Public Service Board had previously been constituted as the Public Service Commissioner between 1901 and 1940.