Reports to:​​ Chief of Staff

Location:​​ Legislative Assembly, Canberra, ACT

Independent Member for Kurrajong, Mr Thomas Emerson MLA, is seeking motivated and progressively minded individuals to apply for positions within his office.  

Why work for us? 

Federal politics has been transformed by independent representatives who are holding the government to account on matters of trust, integrity and accountability. 

In 2024, Canberrans have brought this kind of transformative change to local politics through the election of independents to the ACT Legislative Assembly for the first time in 26 years.

Are you passionate about achieving better outcomes for our community? This job may be for you.

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment working in a small, agile team where you can influence parliamentarians to help shape the future of the ACT? This job may be for you.

Do you want to see politics done differently with more community involvement and ambitious evidenced-based policies? This job may be for you!

Positions available:

• 2x Adviser Level 1 (from $79,774 + allowances + super)
• 1x Adviser Level 2 (from $113,315 + allowances + super)

Note: applications for 1 x Senior Adviser Level 1 position (from $133,195 + allowances + super) are also invited and may be considered depending on the final make-up of the team.

Roles may include an additional 7 per cent LAMS Allowance to cover extra hours. Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) at a 1:1 ratio is also available to support a healthy work-life balance.

Who we’re looking for:

Successful candidates will bring passion, professionalism and a can-do attitude. Experience in a parliamentary, policy or community organisation environment is a plus. 

All advertised roles will require proactive, highly organised individuals capable of managing diverse workloads, and working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

We are accountable to our community and must balance being responsive to issues of the day whilst being mindful of broader strategic policy priorities relevant to the people of Kurrajong.

Responsibilities:

Adviser Level 1 Officers would be expected to undertake a combination of the following tasks:  

• Constituent Casework: Respond promptly and effectively to inquiries from constituents. This involves investigating issues, researching solutions, liaising with relevant officials and other Members’ offices, and advocating on behalf of constituents.
• Community Engagement: Organise and participate in community events alongside Thomas Emerson, building strong relationships with community organisations and stakeholders.
• Social Media Management: Content generation, basic photography and videography, posting materials onto commonly used platforms and responding to comments and queries online.
• Administration and Diary Management: Assisting in managing Thomas Emerson’s diary, scheduling appointments, meetings, and events as required. Other administrative tasks to support the smooth running of the office will also be required.
• Briefing and Correspondence: Manage correspondence on behalf of Thomas Emerson, drafting and responding to letters and emails.
• Policy and Research: Assist with policy research on a wide range of topics relevant to the work of the team.

The Adviser Level 2 Officer or Senior Adviser Level 1 Officer would be expected to support Thomas Emerson and the Chief of Staff in undertaking the following tasks: 

• Policy Development and Analysis: Research, analyse, and formulate policy advice on a wide range of issues.
• Legislative Drafting and Scrutiny: Assist in the drafting of legislation, amendments, and other parliamentary documents, ensuring compliance with relevant rules and procedures. Critically review proposed legislation and provide strategic advice.
• Committee Work: Prepare for and participate in legislative committee meetings and inquiries, researching relevant information, preparing submissions, and assisting with question preparation and responses.
• Communications: Draft notes for speeches, media releases, and other written materials for Thomas Emerson. Manage communications, ensuring consistent messaging and effective public relations.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Management: Establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders
• Parliamentary Procedure and Processes: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary procedures and processes to ensure effective participation in parliamentary activities.
• Strategic Management: Assist with the overall management of the office, ensuring efficient and effective operations.

Selection criteria

• Demonstrable experience relevant to the responsibilities as outlined in this advertisement.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational, time management and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong political acumen and understanding of the ACT political landscape.
• Advanced computer literacy and ability to learn new systems quickly, including in applications such as the Microsoft and Google Suites, Slack and Asana.  

The roles will also require: 

• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• A high degree of discretion and judgement.
• A capacity to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to professional development and continued learning.

Other important information

Whilst these are intended to be full-time positions, part-time and job-share arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Flexible work arrangements will also be considered. 

Thomas actively promotes a productive, healthy, flexible and inclusive working environment where people can grow personally and professionally to be their best selves both inside and outside of the office.

next steps

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

For further information about the roles on offer, please contact [email protected], using the subject line: Advisers x3 - Office of Thomas Emerson - MLA Independent for Kurrajong enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please view thomasemerson.com for more information on Thomas Emerson.