• Senator David Pocock - Independent Senator for the ACT

At the 2022 federal election, Senator David Pocock became the first ever Independent Senator elected to represent the ACT. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Senator’s team, working to bring about changes and improvements on key issues for the ACT.

The Senator was elected on a policy platform that includes:

• Doing politics differently: standing up for the ACT community with long-term thinking and by making politics more open, accountable and community-driven.
• Making Canberra count: ensuring we receive our fair share of federal funding and restoring territory rights to make our own laws including the right to debate and decide issues like voluntary assisted dying.
• Rebuilding trust and integrity: through a federal anti-corruption watchdog with real powers, political donations reform, truth in political advertising laws and restoring funding to the Auditor-General and Australian National Audit Office
• Taking climate action: providing certainty for business and households with a clear path to net zero emissions and a robust transition plan and bringing down power & fuel bills as well as emissions by accelerating the electrification of businesses & households
• Backing the Uluru Statement from the Heart: including a First Nations voice to Parliament

About the Office

Senator David Pocock’s Office embraces the values of respect, trust, integrity, courage, and fairness. Behaviours embraced in the office include acting in the best interests of the ACT and its people, being welcoming and inclusive of all, and demonstrating honest and decent behaviour. Alignment with these principles and values is critical to the success of this position.

About the role

Electorate officers are the initial point of contact for all constituent enquiries. The role will involve working proactively with the ACT community and responding to ACT constituents’ concerns. It also involves administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of the electorate office. Electorate offices are often fast-paced environments, and the successful applicant will need to be flexible and a team player.

We are seeking applicants with enthusiasm for serving the ACT community, outstanding constituent service ethos, highly organised and able to juggle multiple tasks at once, sometimes in high pressure situations.

We are looking for someone who loves answering the phone and responding to emails ranging across a wide variety of issues, with strong administrative and time management skills.

Roles and responsibilities

• First point of contact for ACT constituents who contact the office, whether this is via phone, email or in person at the electorate office.
• Processes incoming and outgoing mail, filing correspondence and maintaining records.
• Supporting constituents to navigate a range of issues including the National Insurance & Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), housing, aged care, social services, and immigration.
• Making enquiries on behalf of constituents to relevant authorities such as writing correspondence to state and/or federal ministers or liaising with other staff, government departments and members.
• Supporting office administration and operations including maintaining adequate records, finances and expenditure, office equipment and supplies and adherence to office policies and procedures.

Selection Criteria

• Experience working in community, social or customer service related sectors.
• Strong interpersonal, communication (written and verbal) and networking skills.
• Good time management, organisational skills and computer literacy.
• Ability to take initiative and work as part of a team with minimal supervision
• An understanding of issues relevant to the ACT community

The position is offered on an ongoing basis under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023.

A commencing salary between $57,132 - $70,969 will be paid and an optional allowance of $8,354 is payable in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work. A probationary period of 3 months will apply.

The successful applicant will be required to work from Senator Pocock’s electorate office in Gungahlin, ACT (located at 1/25 Ernest Cavanagh St) and occasionally work outside of duty hours as needed by the Senator.

For further information please contact Senator Pocock’s electorate office on (02) 6247 6444.

A position description is attached.