We are actively recruiting for a Chief Correspondence Officer to join the team. Applications close 8 January 2024. Find out more.

Chief Correspondence Officer (EOA)
Senator David Pocock
Senator for the ACT

Applications are invited for the full-time ongoing role of Chief Correspondence Officer in the Office of Independent ACT Senator David Pocock, based in the Senator’s Electorate Office in Gungahlin, 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 

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

The Chief Correspondence Offices delivers a core function within the office as the person with primary carriage for responding to written correspondence from constituents. As one of only two ACT Senators, and the only independent, Senator Pocock receives a large volume of correspondence from constituents and people around the country.

Your job will be responding in a timely and genuine way to the concerns and issues raised by the people of the ACT. This includes identifying matters that require escalation for more in-depth case management or referral to other supports and services. For issues of national significance where particularly high volumes of correspondence are received, this means working with the Senator’s relevant policy advisers to draft informative responses to matters raised and helping keep people updated as issues progress through the parliament.

You will also be responsible for helping to triage and direct complex correspondence for response by relevant advisers using bespoke correspondence management software. 

This will suit a highly literate, tech savvy person who thrives in fast-paced but rewarding environments. 

We are looking for someone who genuinely loves to draft high volumes of material quickly across a broad range of issues.

You will join a supportive team of highly motivated staff looking to make a lasting difference for the ACT community.

The role would be based out of the Senator’s Electorate Office (currently located in Gungahlin).

The key duties of the position are, but are not limited to:

• Act as the first point of contact for all written correspondence to the Senator’s office.
• Triaging complex matters and responding to written correspondence from constituents.
• Working collaboratively with policy advisers to develop responses to issues of national significance.
• Providing support on other administrative and constituent-facing tasks such as responding to phone calls and walk-ins to the Electorate Office.
• Supporting and engaging with office volunteers.
• Occasional work outside of standard business hours may be required as part of this role.
• Other reasonable duties as required.

The ideal applicant should possess the following skills and experience:

• Outstanding written communications skills.
• Ability to quickly and accurately respond to written correspondence on a wide range of issues.
• Sound judgement in deciding when to escalate and refer matters.
• Broad knowledge of Federal and ACT Government structures and policies.
• Good time management, organisational skills and computer literacy.
• Ability to take initiative and work both individually and collaboratively as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Previous experience working in a similar role is desired but not essential.

Employment conditions:

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020-23 which include:

• A commencing salary between $69,046 and $73,098 will be negotiated depending on experience and relevant skills.
• An additional optional allowance of up to $10,755 may be considered in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work.
• Relocation assistance, studies assistance and paid study leave may also be available (subject to eligibility requirements).
• An employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% will be payable.

An initial probationary period of three months will apply and may be subject to extension.

The successful applicant will be required to comply with the relevant Draft Behaviour Standards and Code endorsed by both Houses of Parliament.

Applications should be forwarded to [email protected] and include a cover letter addressing the key skills and experience required, and a resume with the names of two referees. Please include ‘Chief Correspondence Officer’ in the subject line of your e-mail.

Applications which do not include a cover letter will not be considered. A written assessment will form part of the selection process.

Applications close on Monday 8 January 2024.

For further information please contact Senator Pocock’s Electorate Office on (02) 6247 6444 and ask to speak to the Chief of Staff.