Communications Officer

Job Details

Job Title: Communications Officer

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 5

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 13 June 2025

Contact: Melinda Jones, (02) 6277 8665, melinda.jones@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Services Level 5 Communication Officer, within the Parliamentary, Communications and Governance Branch.

In this role you will assist in the development and implementation of communication plans that reflect the Departments priorities and strategic themes. You will also assist in maintaining DPS’s two intranet sites on the SharePoint platform. This will include developing and publishing content.

You will be able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including across the Parliamentary Departments to support business requirements.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual to join the Communications and Media Team. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in developing and editing plain English content that is accurate and engaging for a variety of communication channels.

You will have demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to build and sustain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, while providing sound communication advice and services.

A high level of organisation and attention to detail skills including clear planning and a focus on quality, while managing competing priorities often within tight timeframes is necessary.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field or a minimum of three years working in a communications role is required for this position.
• Experience working with SharePoint, Sitecore and Canva is desirable.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 5 

Branch: Parliamentary Communications & Governance

Immediate supervisor: Assistant Director, Communications and Media

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Service Level 5 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Assist in the development and implementation of communication plans that reflect Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) priorities and strategic themes.

2. Administer a process to produce, gain approvals and disseminate internal communiques.

 
3. Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including across Parliamentary Departments to support outcomes and business requirements. 

4. Assist in maintaining DPS’s two intranet sites on the SharePoint platform. This includes developing and publishing content such as pages, graphics, images and other material. 

5. Assist in undertaking editorial services, applying relevant accessibility standards and upholding the quality of the team’s communication channels.

6. Support other communication activities as required. 

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:

• flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational needs of the roles
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities
• a competitive remuneration package
• free secure parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities available a APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $89,410 - $95,924 per annum.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

•    Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

•    Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

•    Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.