Industrial Officer

Position Title:            Industrial Officer

Level and Salary:      Industrial Officer – Organiser Level 2 ($82,687 to $97,713) – Organiser Level 3 ($101,248 – $113,929) Subject to skills, experiences and expectations (includes expense allowance) + 15.4% superannuation

Conditions and Entitlements:           Access to 13 accrued days off per year. Leave and flexible working conditions to facilitate people with caring responsibilities

Position reports to: Director of Legal and Industrial Unit (LIU)

Positions reporting to this position are:   N/A

Location:        Canberra

Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)

CPSU is a modern, creative union with a positive vision for our members working lives and for the community we serve.  We’re committed to building a growing, active and dynamic organisation able to win real improvements for our members in the federal, ACT and NT public sector, telecommunications, broadcasting and the private sector.

Overview of position

CPSU Industrial Officers play a role in developing and implementing the union’s industrial strategy. The Industrial Officer, Level 3 role requires the capacity to manage a range of complex and technical industrial matters to a high standard, with minimal supervision. Level 2 Industrial Officers work under close supervision.

Industrial Officers perform a diverse range of work, which may include:

• Providing accurate and appropriate industrial advice, which takes into account the strategic priorities of the CPSU;

• Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the union;

• Dispute resolution, including representing the CPSU in Fair Work Commission conferences and hearings. Level 2 staff receive supervision and support for matters that proceed beyond the conference stage;

• Assisting in the negotiation of enterprise agreements;

• Pursuing bargaining related disputes;

• Undertaking project work;

• Assisting with award matters and other legal and industrial matters as required; and

• Providing high quality, written advice as required.

For Level 3 Industrial Officers, the role requires a high level of understanding of the federal industrial relations system, and demonstrated high level negotiation and advocacy skills. Level 2 Industrial Officers will have the capacity to develop that understanding.

The successful candidate will have a proven ability to critically and strategically analyse complex matters and develop and implement plans and strategies to deal with those matters. Level 2 Industrial Officers will develop this ability.

The ability to recognise, explore and use a broad range of ideas and practices and think logically and creatively is paramount.

An Industrial Officer may also be utilised as a first point of technical contact for organisers and lead organisers in a particular operational team.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Advice: Provide strategic industrial advice to the Director of LIU, Senior Industrial Officer, and to operational teams on industrial matters. This includes interpreting relevant legal and industrial instruments and advising on industrial matters. Level 3 Industrial Officers provide high level advice, including on complex matters.  

• Project management: Support the development and implementation of industrial projects to assist with the management of the union’s industrial workload and enhance specific areas of CPSU’s industrial and legal capacity.

• Communicate: Prepare reports, submissions and advice for both internal and external audiences. Assist with the preparation of briefs for external legal advice and liaise with external legal counsel as required. Level 2 Industrial Officers undertake this work with supervision.

• Represent:  Represent the CPSU in Fair Work Commission hearings and conferences, and in other external meetings, forums, and conferences as required. Level 2 Industrial Officers receive supervision for Commission matters that proceed beyond the conference stage.  

• Negotiate: Negotiate with employer and other stakeholders as necessary within the context of CPSU’s policy and overall legal, industrial and bargaining strategy.

The position works closely with the Director of the Legal and Industrial Unit (LIU),other Industrial Officers, National Secretariat Directors, Executive Committee members and Regional Secretaries. 

Selection Criteria – required skills, knowledge and ability

Essential

1. Extensive knowledge and experience in the federal industrial relations system, collective bargaining and union strategy for the bargaining environment.
2. The capacity to deliver positive outcomes for union members in complex Fair Work Commission matters.
3. Strong understanding of CPSU, our membership, key industries, the union’s direction and capacity to apply these to the union’s industrial, legal and bargaining strategy. External candidates must have the capacity to develop this understanding.
4. Strong knowledge of the public sector and experience dealing with and understanding public sector processes and industry. External candidates must have the capacity to develop this knowledge.
5. Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills to deliver outcomes according to the union’s industrial and bargaining strategy.
6. Ability to develop effective professional relationships internally and externally.
7. High level critical and strategic thinking, with strong judgment and problem-solving skills.
8. High level analytical and communication skills.
9. Demonstrated commitment to union values and diversity and inclusion, and experience working at senior levels of the union movement will be a significant advantage
10. Enthusiastic, able to work autonomously, exercise initiative, individual judgement and be flexible.
11. Legal qualifications are desirable.

Interstate travel including attending FWC proceedings and enterprise agreement negotiations is required. Some out of hours work is required.

Confidential enquiries about the role can be directed to:

Rebecca Fawcett, Director Legal and Industrial Team. Phone: (02) 8204 6971.    Email: rebecca.fawcett@cpsu.org.au

Please submit your application by COB Monday, 22 October 2018.

HOW TO APPLY

You must complete the on-line Employment Application Questionnaire and address the Selection Criteria to be considered for this position.

Please visit our website at https://cpsu.wufoo.com/forms/cpsu-employment-application/ to access the Employment Application Questionnaire.

The CPSU is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for position. Selection is merit based.  Part time employment opportunities may be considered where suitable.