Andrew Leigh

I'm looking for a full-time electorate staff member to join my team, working out of my electorate office (currently in Braddon, but slated to move northwards sometime in the next year).

The job entails lots of community engagement and solving local problems. In a typical day, you might be helping someone at the front counter with a Centrelink issue, assisting with a 5000-letter mailout, or arranging a community forum at the local football club. A more detailed rundown of tasks is at the end of this ad.

Fenner is not only the second-most populous electorate in Australia (with nearly 140,000 electors), but also one of the most engaged. One of the great things about Fenner is that constituents are passionate about issues big and small, from climate change to the local postbox. But it means that I need hardworking electorate staff to manage it all. 

The electorate team consists of 4 full-timers, plus a bevy of part-timers and volunteers. There's a strong sense of camaraderie, and it's a great way to help the community. 

If you're interested in grassroots politics, community organising and love Canberra, this job is likely to be a good fit. It won't involve policymaking or speechwriting, but a lot of writing, problem-solving, and digital engagement. 

Depending on experience, the salary range is $54,693 - $73,431.

Applications close Sunday 17 July. If you're interested, please send a covering letter, a CV and a writing sample (100-800 words) to [email protected]. 

Duties of the position include:

• Work with other staff and the MP to ensure the Electorate Office provides a timely service to constituents and organisations, and coordinate the activities of the MP.
• Maintain the MP’s diary, responding to invitations after consultation with the MP and other staff.
• Coordinate diary events and ensure ongoing communication on events within the office.
• Liaise on events in the electorate with diary secretaries from other offices.
• Provide advice and assistance to constituents and organisations.
• In conjunction with other staff, record, prioritise and distribute incoming correspondence for the MP and ensure responses are prepared in a timely manner.
• Draft replies to general correspondence.
• Liaise with Wreck Bay and Jervis Bay communities.
• In consultation with the MP and/or other staff ensure bills are paid and record payments for taxation purposes.
• Ensure maintenance of constituent information.
• Alert the MP to issues emerging from constituent inquiries, correspondence, community newsletters etc.
• Together with other staff, organise events for the MP and ensure mail outs of invitations occur in a timely manner:
• Arrange the annual Fenner Lecture, shopping centre stalls, public forums; morning/evening teas;
• Represent the MP at activities and functions when appropriate.
• Oversee office maintenance.
• Participate in training opportunities.
• Undertake other duties as required by the MP.