Job sharing and thriving, two Senior Asset Practitioners are making this flexible option work for them.
Job share arrangements, where responsibility for one full-time role is shared, can assist organizations like Melbourne Water to ensure the best available talent can access senior roles, particularly when these roles have been deemed as requiring a full-time commitment.
One such arrangement is currently in place for Melbourne Water’s Asset Management Service’s Catchment, Land and Water Services Team, with Sara Johnson and Kathy Preece job-sharing the role of Senior Asset Practitioner (Growling Grass Frog Masterplan Program).
Their job share opportunity was identified through the recruitment process; the hiring manager Finn Taylor identified their complementary skill sets, strengths, and mutual passion for the program. A job share was seen as the preferred outcome to meet the business need as it would provide complementary strengths required for the role.
Kathy brought expertise in Growling Grass Frog habitat requirements to the organization, and Sara has extensive knowledge of Melbourne Water’s processes and people – a great combination of skills, problem solving approaches and networks. They both leapt at the chance to share the role despite not having met.
Two years into the role, Kathy and Sara are enthusiastic advocates for job share and flexible working arrangements. They agree that it is an effective, motivating and enjoyable way to work and a highlight of their working careers.
Kathy says,
“We are a little mini team of two. It’s great working through complex problems and issues with a job share partner – we can solve most things.”
Whether it’s the wide-ranging nature of their roles or a proactive mindset that goes with job sharing, it’s working. It also allows Melbourne Water greater flexibility in resourcing business priorities and could open up more opportunities for our employees.
