Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Senior Media and Communications Officer supports the delivery of consistent, high quality and timely media and communications advice, products and services.

The position sits within the department’s Communication and Media Branch. The branch plays a critical role in supporting ministerial offices, the department’s executive, and policy and program areas to communicate portfolio policies, programs and outcomes.

In this role, you will work closely with internal stakeholders and ministers’ offices to respond to media enquiries and develop media and communications materials, including media briefings, releases and talking points.

You will also contribute to the development and delivery of digital communications, such as internal communications and intranet content, ensuring information is clear, accessible and user centred.

The role includes supporting operational requirements, such as administrative tasks, and participation in an after-hours on call roster, which will include occasional weekend work.

This role offers exposure across the Communication and Media Branch, with the opportunity to support different areas of the branch in response to changing priorities, while developing strong, transferable media and communications capability.

The key duties of the position include:

Your professional experience will enable you to provide sound media and communications advice, support and direction to others within the department.

You will be an effective and strategic thinker who builds trust and works confidently in a complex, dynamic and at times uncertain and ambiguous environment. You will exercise sound judgement, take initiative and actively identify solutions to complex issues.

You will be responsive, resilient and adaptable. You will have the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes under pressure, both independently and as part of a team.

The role requires strong capability across media and digital communications, including the ability to:

• Provide strategic media advice on complex or sensitive issues
• Translate complex policy, technical information and data into clear, accurate and accessible content for media, ministers and the public
• Respond to media enquiries accurately and at pace, including coordinating clearances with ministerial offices, executives and policy areas
• Develop high quality media and communications materials, including releases, talking points, Q&As, briefings and digital content
• Develop and manage digital communications products, including internal communications and intranet content
• Understand user experience journeys and information architecture across digital channels
• Use data, analytics and insights to inform communication decisions and continuously improve content and channels
• Apply best practice accessibility, content design and digital publishing standards in a government environment.

Eligibility

Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.

This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance. 

This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool. The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months.

Getting to know the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)

We are the department that helps job seeking Australians find safe, secure, and well-paid work while we ourselves strive to be a model employer. We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or retraining to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities. Secure jobs are vital—driving future economic growth and providing people with the certainty. We focus on connecting Australians who are starting, advancing or changing their career with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to gain or regain employment. Our work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. It is our unique purpose to help people realise their potential and we want you to be part of it. Underpinning our important work is our focus on culture. We recognise that how we do things is equally important as what we achieve. Our workplace is one where different perspective are encouraged, people feel a sense of belonging and draw on the expertise of their peers. Our people demonstrate the APS Values, which includes being open, thoughtful, curious and candid. We also value employee wellbeing and developing leadership through investment in capability.