Do you have an interest in the Australian federal industrial landscape and a passion for supporting working people? If so – an exciting opportunity is available at the Health Services Union’s national office for a full-time National Industrial Officer.

Organisational Context

The Health Services Union (HSU) is one of Australia’s fastest growing unions, with over 100,000 members. Our members are at the forefront of nation-changing initiatives such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and broader reforms to aged care and the public, private and mental health systems. The HSU is comprised of eight autonomous branches and the role of HSU National is to implement the HSU’s national strategic campaigns and facilitate cross-branch coordination with a view to supporting membership growth and, by extension, the collective power of HSU members. Through this, we ensure that HSU members have a strong and powerful voice in the debates that shape their working lives and their communities.

The Role

We are seeking a committed and driven individual who can contribute to the HSU’s national industrial strategy and work. The position involves developing and implementing the industrial aspects of our national strategic campaigns, including researching and preparing major modern award claims and advocating for federal industrial policy and law reform. Working as part of a small team and reporting to the HSU National Secretary, the National Industrial Officer will also help to support the HSU’s branches by providing strategic industrial advice and resources and facilitating cross-branch collaboration, and will build relationships with other key external stakeholders (e.g. other unions, peak bodies, advocacy organisations and politicians) to deliver on industrial outcomes for our members.

For more information about the role, please refer to the attached position description.

Key Selection Criteria

• Highly developed problem-solving and strategic and conceptual thinking skills.
• A strong interest in and knowledge of the current modern award system including its objectives and review processes.
• A sound working knowledge of the federal industrial relations framework and laws.
• High-level legal research skills. 
• Demonstrated experience in industrial advocacy, case preparation and presentation.
• Outstanding writing skills (with demonstrated experience in, for example, preparing witness evidence and legal submissions, submissions to government inquiries, and briefing papers on industrial issues). 
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to quickly establish rapport and build relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to work independently as part of a small team with a high degree of initiative. 
• Proven ability to manage and prioritise tasks to meet established deadlines. 
• Demonstrated commitment to the values and underlying principles of the union movement, social justice, community development and equality. 
• Ability to acquire a National Police Check. 
• Ability and willingness to undertake occasional, reasonable interstate travel outside of normal working hours. 
• Tertiary qualifications (or considerable progress towards a qualification) in one of the following fields: law, industrial relations, economics, public policy or health and community services. 

Benefits

This is a full-time position. The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the HSU National Employee Agreement 2021 – 2024 which includes:

• Competitive salary commensurate with applicant’s qualification, skills and experience.
• 5 weeks annual leave.
• Monthly rostered day off.
• 12.5% superannuation.

The position is based in our office in Carlton, Victoria with an option to work from home one day a week. The successful applicant will be required to travel interstate and perform reasonable out-of-hours work on occasion.

To Apply

To apply, please read the linked position description and submit:

• Your CV;
• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role and briefly addressing the key selection criteria (no longer than 2-pages); and
• Any samples of your work you think may be relevant (e.g. submissions or papers you have written). 

Applications are to be addressed to Mr Lloyd Williams, HSU National Secretary.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in and will close this position when we find the right candidate, so if you are interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Applications should be submitted via the"Apply Now" button.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed with appointment conditional upon a successful reference check subject to a probationary period.

If you have questions about the role, please contact Ms Louise de Plater, Senior National Industrial Officer, at [email protected] using the subject line: National Industrial Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs or on 0429 928 192.

We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, LGBTGIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and mature-age people to apply. 

Interested in this role but concerned you don’t meet all the essential requirements? If you have similar skills, a strong interest, and you’re willing to learn then we encourage you to apply anyway.

A position description is attached.