Senior AI Prototyping Officer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior AI Prototyping Officer

Company: DCCEEW NSW (Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure - DPHI)

Location: Parramatta, Orange, or Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Job Type: Temporary Full-time (until 30 June 2027)

Category: Technology / Digital Innovation / AI Operations

Date Posted: 09 September 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (implied by "Senior" title and salary range)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Flexible working supported)

🚀 Role Summary

• Prototyping and validating AI, automation, and digital innovation solutions to inform departmental investment decisions.

• Collaborating with business and technical stakeholders to translate complex ideas into practical, evidence-based prototypes.

• Assessing the feasibility, value, scalability, and reuse potential of emerging technologies within a government context.

• Ensuring prototypes adhere to architecture, security, privacy, and responsible AI requirements.

• Contributing to the strategic direction of AI and digital innovation adoption within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Senior AI Prototyping Officer," this role has significant overlap with Revenue Operations and Sales Operations functions, particularly in its focus on using technology (AI/automation) to drive efficiency, improve decision-making, and support strategic investments. The emphasis on prototyping, validation, and providing evidence for "go/no-go" decisions aligns with the analytical and strategic components of operations roles. The target audience for this enhanced description will be operations professionals looking to leverage their skills in a new technological domain.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test rapid prototypes for AI, automation, and digital innovation solutions, focusing on technical feasibility, value proposition, scalability, and implementation options.

• Configure and test lightweight agents, custom agents, low-code solutions, and AI-enabled automation using enterprise platforms such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI Service, and AI Builder.

• Document and refine AI prototype components, prompts, agent behaviors, integrations, and evaluation artifacts, adhering to agreed development methodologies and security best practices.

• Evaluate the potential of emerging technologies, reusable components, and solution patterns, producing technical designs, validation artifacts, and handover materials to support adoption and reuse.

• Translate complex business needs and opportunities into practical, demonstrable solutions that provide clear recommendations for future delivery and investment decisions.

• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to understand their challenges and identify opportunities for AI and digital innovation.

• Work with technical teams to ensure prototypes align with broader solution architecture, software design principles, systems integration requirements, and information security policies.

• Contribute to the development and enforcement of responsible AI principles, including privacy, records management, data management, and ethical considerations within prototyping efforts.

• Conduct experiments and testing to gather evidence and insights that inform strategic decision-making and future technology investments for the department.

• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI, automation, and digital innovation technologies and assess their applicability to departmental objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are heavily focused on the technical execution of prototyping. To align with operations thinking, the enhanced description emphasizes the purpose and impact of these responsibilities, such as informing investment decisions, improving services, and supporting future delivery strategies, which are key operational outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

• Relevant industry certifications in artificial intelligence, low-code application development, cloud technologies, Agile delivery, or digital innovation (e.g., Microsoft Azure AI, Microsoft Power Platform, Scrum Master, or equivalent) are essential. Experience:

• Proven experience in building rapid AI, automation, and digital innovation prototypes to test technical feasibility, value, scalability, and implementation options.

• Practical experience in designing, configuring, and testing lightweight agents, custom agents, low-code solutions, and AI-enabled automation using enterprise platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI Service, AI Builder).

• Demonstrated experience in designing, testing, documenting, and refining AI prototype components, prompts, agent behaviors, integrations, and evaluation artifacts using agreed development methods and security practices.

• Experience assessing emerging technologies, reusable components, and solution patterns, and producing technical designs, validation artifacts, and handover material to support adoption, reuse, scale, and delivery decisions. Required Skills:

• AI & Automation Prototyping: Expertise in rapidly developing and validating AI and automation solutions.

• Platform Proficiency: Hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI Service, and AI Builder.

• Low-Code Development: Skill in utilizing low-code platforms for efficient solution development.

• Solution Architecture Fundamentals: Understanding of architecture principles for designing scalable and secure solutions.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile delivery practices and Scrum Master principles.

• Technical Documentation: Ability to create clear and comprehensive documentation for prototypes and technical designs.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to translate complex business needs into workable solutions.

• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Systems Integration: Experience integrating different systems and technologies.

• Information Security & Privacy: Knowledge of security best practices, privacy regulations, and responsible AI controls.

• Data Management: Understanding of data management principles and their application in AI solutions.

• Records Management: Familiarity with government records management policies and procedures.

• Cloud Technologies: Broader knowledge of cloud computing environments (e.g., Azure).

• User Experience (UX) Design: Understanding of UX principles to ensure prototype usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are heavily technical. The enhanced version categorizes these skills and adds foundational operational competencies like "Problem-Solving" and "Stakeholder Communication" to bridge the gap for operations professionals. The emphasis on certifications is crucial for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Prototype Demonstrations: Showcase a portfolio of developed AI and automation prototypes, including live demonstrations or detailed video walkthroughs.

• Process Mapping & Optimization: Evidence of how prototypes were designed to improve existing business processes, reduce inefficiencies, or enhance service delivery.

• Technology Stack Documentation: Clear articulation of the tools, platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure services), and methodologies used in prototype development.

• Impact & Validation Artifacts: Documentation demonstrating how prototypes were validated, including test results, user feedback, and quantitative/qualitative evidence of feasibility and value.

• Solution Design Artifacts: Examples of technical designs, architecture diagrams (even if lightweight for prototypes), and integration plans.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document the process of identifying business needs, designing prototype workflows, and iterating based on feedback and testing.

• Implementation & Automation Methods: Detail the approach to implementing and configuring AI models, agents, and automation sequences within the specified platforms.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Outline the methods used to measure the performance, effectiveness, and scalability of prototypes, including key metrics and evaluation criteria.

• Security & Compliance Integration: Demonstrate how security, privacy, and responsible AI considerations were integrated into the prototyping lifecycle.

• Handover & Adoption Strategy: Provide examples of how prototypes were documented and presented to support potential adoption, reuse, and scale by wider delivery teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the technical output of a prototyping role into the language of operations, focusing on process, documentation, and evidence of impact, which are critical for operations professionals' portfolios. The emphasis is on demonstrating how the prototypes solve problems and contribute to strategic goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: AUD $133,348 to $146,945 per annum, plus superannuation (Australian retirement contribution).

Benefits:

• Flexible Working: Supported flexible work arrangements, allowing for a better work-life balance.

• Superannuation: Contribution to a retirement savings fund, as per Australian legislative requirements.

• Impactful Projects: Opportunity to work on projects that shape the future of NSW communities and services.

• Professional Development: Access to a temporary role with potential for ongoing opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies.

• Collaborative Environment: Work within a diverse and inclusive team that fosters growth and support.

• Temporary Contract: A defined contract period (until 30 June 2027) offering a focused project experience.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 35-40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided. The benefits are tailored to what might appeal to operations professionals, emphasizing flexibility, impact, and professional growth potential, even within a temporary role. The "Superannuation" is a specific Australian benefit.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector (NSW Government - Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure)

Company Size: Large (Implied by government department structure and employee numbers)

Founded: The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) was formed through machinery of government changes, consolidating various NSW government planning, housing, and infrastructure functions. Its roots extend back to earlier government departments.

Team Structure:

• Reporting Structure: The Senior AI Prototyping Officer will likely report into a Digital Enablement, Innovation, or Technology Strategy team, potentially under a Principal Digital Enablement & Governance lead (as per contact information).

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including business unit representatives, IT infrastructure teams, policy advisors, legal/privacy officers, and potentially external technology partners.

• Focus on Service Delivery: As a government department, the overarching culture is geared towards public service, improving citizen experiences, and efficient resource allocation.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role's core function is to provide evidence through prototyping to support investment and delivery decisions, emphasizing a data-driven approach.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Prototyping inherently involves agile principles, rapid iteration, and continuous feedback loops.

• Responsible Technology Adoption: A strong emphasis on ethical considerations, security, privacy, and responsible AI is crucial in the public sector context.

Company Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/department-of-planning-housing-and-infrastructure

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is framed around its public sector mission, emphasizing service delivery, responsible innovation, and the collaborative nature required within large government organizations. This provides operations professionals with an understanding of the unique environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior Individual Contributor level. It requires a blend of technical prototyping skills and the ability to influence strategic decisions through demonstrated feasibility and value. For operations professionals, this represents an opportunity to pivot into a tech-focused innovation role, applying analytical and strategic thinking to AI/automation.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Principal Digital Enablement & Governance or similar leadership position, indicating a direct line of influence on departmental technology strategy.

Operations Impact: The Senior AI Prototyping Officer has a significant impact by de-risking technology investments. By creating tangible prototypes, they provide concrete evidence of potential ROI, efficiency gains, and service improvements, directly influencing departmental budget allocation and strategic project initiation. This aligns with the core operational goal of optimizing resource utilization and maximizing business value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI/Automation: Deepen expertise in specific AI technologies and platforms (e.g., Azure AI, Microsoft Copilot) and become a go-to subject matter expert.

• Transition to AI/Digital Strategy: Develop strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills to transition into roles focused on broader digital transformation and AI strategy development.

• Leadership in Innovation Teams: Gain experience in leading prototyping efforts and potentially managing junior team members or project workstreams within innovation hubs.

• Government Sector Expertise: Build a strong understanding of government procurement, policy, and service delivery, which can open doors to other senior roles within the public sector.

• Portfolio Expansion: Develop a robust portfolio of AI and automation prototypes that demonstrate practical application and strategic value, enhancing career mobility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis positions the role within the broader context of operations career progression, highlighting how technical prototyping skills can be leveraged for strategic impact and offer avenues for specialization and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a government office environment, supporting a hybrid work model. This typically means access to professional office spaces with collaborative zones, meeting rooms, and standard office amenities.

Office Location(s): Parramatta, Orange, or Newcastle. These locations offer professional work environments within NSW. The hybrid model allows for a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work in a team-oriented setting, engaging with diverse groups of professionals across different departments. The hybrid nature encourages intentional in-office collaboration for key activities.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard government IT infrastructure, including secure networks, Microsoft 365 suite, and specific AI/automation platforms (Copilot, Azure services). The role requires self-sufficiency in utilizing these tools for prototyping.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues through team meetings, workshops, and project-specific discussions, both in-person and virtually.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment with a commitment to flexible working. This means core hours likely apply, but there's scope for adjusting start/end times to accommodate personal needs, provided business requirements and prototype development timelines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described to appeal to operations professionals who value structure, collaboration, and access to necessary technology, while also highlighting the flexibility offered.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and cover letter, focusing on alignment with technical prototyping experience and relevant certifications.

• Technical Interview: In-depth discussion about experience with AI/automation platforms (Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI), prototyping methodologies, and solution architecture principles. Be prepared to discuss specific projects and technical challenges.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage where candidates will likely present examples of their work. This may involve demonstrating prototypes, discussing their development process, and articulating the value they delivered.

• Behavioral & Situational Interview: Questions assessing problem-solving skills, stakeholder management, ability to work under pressure, and alignment with government values (e.g., integrity, service).

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Focus on demonstrating how your prototypes solved specific problems, improved efficiency, or provided valuable insights for decision-making. Quantify results where possible.

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your prototyping methodology – from ideation and requirement gathering to development, testing, and documentation.

• Platform Specificity: Be ready to detail your experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI Service, and AI Builder, providing concrete examples of features used and challenges overcome.

• Responsible AI: Include examples of how you incorporated security, privacy, and ethical considerations into your prototypes.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely, tailoring the level of technical detail to the interviewer. Focus on the "why" and "so what" of your prototypes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prototyping Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you are asked to design or outline a prototype for a specific business challenge faced by DPHI.

• Technical Deep Dive: Anticipate questions about specific AI concepts, prompt engineering, agent configuration, or integration strategies.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Practice explaining complex technical concepts and prototype outcomes to non-technical stakeholders, focusing on business value and strategic implications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, emphasizing the importance of a portfolio that demonstrates not just technical skill but also operational impact and strategic thinking, crucial for operations professionals transitioning into this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft 365 Copilot: For AI-assisted content creation, summarization, and task automation within the Microsoft ecosystem.

• Microsoft Copilot Studio: For building custom AI-powered chatbots and virtual agents.

• Azure AI Foundry / Azure OpenAI Service: For leveraging advanced AI models (like GPT) for custom solutions, natural language processing, and generative AI applications.

• AI Builder: A component of the Power Platform that allows for the creation of AI models (form processing, object detection, text classification) without extensive coding.

• Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate): For building low-code applications and automating business processes, often integrating with AI Builder and Copilot.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Azure Analytics Services: Potentially used for processing and analyzing data related to prototype performance.

• Microsoft Power BI: For creating dashboards and reports to visualize prototype performance, user engagement, and potential ROI metrics.

• Standard Office Suite Tools: Excel, Word, PowerPoint for documentation, analysis, and presentation of findings.

CRM & Automation:

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 (or other government-relevant CRM): While not explicitly mentioned for prototyping, understanding CRM data structures and workflows could be beneficial for context.

• Microsoft Power Automate: For workflow automation, connecting different applications, and automating repetitive tasks within and between prototypes.

• API Integrations: Experience with RESTful APIs and other integration methods to connect different services and data sources for prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section directly addresses the technology stack, which is critical for operations roles. It highlights specific Microsoft AI and low-code tools that are central to the role's execution and are increasingly relevant in operational efficiency initiatives.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Public Service Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality services to the citizens of NSW, driving efficiency and effectiveness in all initiatives.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding the highest ethical standards, demonstrating transparency in decision-making, and taking responsibility for outcomes.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a supportive and diverse work environment where all voices are valued, and teamwork is paramount for achieving shared goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and approaches to continuously improve services and adapt to evolving needs and challenges.

• Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing data and evidence to inform decisions, measure impact, and ensure that initiatives are aligned with strategic objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working collaboratively across different business units and technical teams to ensure prototypes are practical, secure, and aligned with departmental needs.

• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture of reviewing processes and prototypes, actively seeking and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and lessons learned from prototyping efforts to build collective intelligence within the department.

• Agile Mindset: A willingness to experiment, learn from failures, and adapt quickly to new information and changing requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the government's stated values into operational terms, focusing on how these values drive collaboration, decision-making, and the pursuit of efficiency and innovation within the department.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of AI and automation technologies requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Balancing Innovation with Governance: Navigating the complexities of government regulations, security protocols, privacy laws, and responsible AI principles while still enabling rapid prototyping.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring that prototypes meet the diverse needs and expectations of various business stakeholders, who may have different levels of technical understanding.

• Scalability & Integration: Designing prototypes that not only prove a concept but also have a clear path to scalability and integration into existing enterprise systems.

• Demonstrating ROI in Public Sector: Clearly articulating the value and return on investment of AI initiatives within the context of public service delivery and budget constraints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Machine Learning Specialization: Opportunities to gain deep expertise in specific AI domains, prompt engineering, and advanced model development.

• Cloud & Platform Certifications: Pursuing official certifications in Azure AI, Microsoft Power Platform, and other relevant technologies.

• Government Innovation Practices: Learning how innovation is managed and scaled within a large public sector organization.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining exposure to policy, legal, security, and business operations within the NSW Government.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor junior colleagues or lead specific prototyping initiatives, developing leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides a realistic outlook on potential challenges, framed in a way that operations professionals can relate to (e.g., balancing innovation with governance, ROI demonstration) and highlights clear pathways for professional growth and skill enhancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex business problem into a technical prototype. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving methodology, stakeholder engagement, and how you validated the prototype's value.)

• "How would you approach prototyping a solution for [specific DPHI challenge, e.g., improving permit application processing] using Microsoft 365 Copilot or Azure OpenAI?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the tools and your ability to map them to business needs.)

• "Discuss your experience with responsible AI principles, including privacy and security, in the context of prototyping. How do you ensure these are considered from the outset?" (Highlight your awareness of ethical and governance considerations, crucial in government.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for the NSW Government and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure specifically?" (Research DPHI's mission, recent projects, and connect it to your desire to contribute to public service.)

• "How do you stay current with the rapidly evolving AI and automation landscape?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning, mentioning specific resources like industry publications, conferences, or online courses.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or flexible work environment. How do you ensure productivity and collaboration?" (Emphasize your self-management skills and strategies for effective remote and in-office teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each prototype, explain the business problem, your proposed solution, the technology used, the development process, the validation/testing performed, and the key insights or outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the potential or actual impact of your prototypes (e.g., time saved, efficiency gained, data accuracy improved).

• Focus on "Why": Explain the strategic rationale behind your choices and how the prototype aligns with broader business objectives.

• Interactive Demonstration: If possible, prepare a live demo or a well-recorded video walkthrough of your prototype, showcasing its functionality and user experience.

• Address Limitations: Be prepared to discuss any limitations of your prototypes and how they might be addressed in a full-scale implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored to assess both the technical prototyping skills and the operational mindset required for the role, guiding candidates on how to present themselves effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent technology position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on careers.pageuppeople.com, including your CV and a cover letter.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with AI prototyping, specific Microsoft platforms (Copilot, Azure AI), and any relevant certifications. If you have a portfolio of past projects, ensure it's readily accessible and showcases your most relevant work.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in building prototypes, validating solutions, and translating business needs into technical requirements. Use keywords from the job description, such as "AI prototyping," "automation," "low-code," and "solution architecture."

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering behavioral and technical questions, focusing on your experience with the specified tools and your approach to responsible AI and data-driven decision-making. Prepare a concise presentation of 1-2 key prototype projects.

• Company Research: Understand the mission and strategic priorities of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Research their current digital initiatives or areas where AI/automation could have a significant impact.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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