Industrial Officer

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union NSW Branch in Pyrmont seeks an Industrial Officer to manage an individual caseload of industrial matters, provide advice and advocacy to CFMEU members, Organisers and leadership across the full range of industrial work, including enterprise bargaining and awards.

You will work with safety and legal guidance, manage court and tribunal appearances where needed, travel across NSW, and contribute to policy initiatives.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in industrial relations, law, human resource management or related discipline, or substantial advocacy experience.
• Minimum 3 years' relevant experience in industrial advocacy, workplace relations or union casework.
• Strong knowledge of Fair Work Act 2009, modern awards and enterprise agreements relevant to construction.
• Proven advocacy, negotiation and representation experience before tribunals. Law degree not required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Adobe and related programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage an individual caseload of industrial matters and provide advice and advocacy to CFMEU members and leadership.
• Represent matters before the Fair Work Commission and other tribunals; brief external counsel when needed.
• Contribute to enterprise bargaining and awards negotiations and right of entry matters.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities and other unions on shared issues.
• Attend team meetings and provide clear handovers and updates on priorities.

Skills

Advocacy

Negotiation

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Industrial relations qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Adobe

Job description

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union – Pyrmont NSW

The CFMEU NSW Branch represents more than 100,000 construction workers across New South Wales. We work to keep workers safe on site and to win fair wages and conditions across the industry. Our team supports members with industrial and legal advice, safety guidance, wages information and member benefits. We're currently in a period of renewal, building strong governance and ethical practice for the future. Joining us now is a chance to help rebuild a union that works lawfully and ethically for its members. If you believe in fairness, safety and solidarity and want your work to make a difference to working people, we want to hear from you.

POSITION PURPOSE

Under the broad direction of the Industrial & Safety Manager, the Industrial Officer manages an individual caseload of industrial matters and provides advice, representation and advocacy to CFMEU NSW members, Organisers and leadership across the full range of the Union's industrial work, including enterprise bargaining and Member Assist matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Casework

• Manage an individual caseload of industrial matters, including all aspects of case preparation, management and representation before the Fair Work Commission and other industrial tribunals, relying on the Union's own right to represent its members (Fair Work Act s.596), which does not require legal admission.
• Refer any matter requiring appearance in a court, or otherwise requiring an admitted legal practitioner, to the Industrial & Safety Manager or to external counsel/law firms in accordance with the Team's brief-out policy, and brief counsel and external law firms directly where authorised to do so.
• Provide industrial advice and assistance to CFMEU members, Organisers and leadership across the full range of industrial and employment matters, including workplace disputes, dismissals, wage claims, protected action ballots, industrial action, enterprise agreements and awards, and right of entry.
• Deal with regulatory authorities, including the Fair Work Ombudsman and SafeWork NSW, on matters within the role's caseload.
• Interact and liaise with other unions on matters of shared interest.

Proactive & Strategic Work

• Research and write submissions on issues affecting the construction industry.
• Participate in the negotiation of enterprise agreements for the construction industry.
• Contribute to the Team's proactive, strategic legal and industrial initiatives (for example, strategies to address sham contracting) as capacity allows.

Team Processes

• Use the Team's case management and tracking systems and follow agreed file-naming and filing protocols for all matters.
• Attend regular Team meetings and provide clear, detailed handovers of current work priorities for planned and unplanned leave.
• Contribute case data and commentary to the Team's bi-monthly report to the Executive.
• Comply with the Team's written policies on prioritisation of internal work and briefing matters out to external lawyers.
• Comply with the Team's confidentiality and professional conduct standards at all times; Industrial Officers who hold a current legal practising certificate must also comply with the Solicitors' Conduct Rules and other applicable legal professional obligations.

General

• Undertake other duties as required by the Industrial & Safety Manager.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Tertiary qualification in industrial relations, law, human resource management or a related discipline; or, in the absence of a relevant qualification, substantial demonstrated experience in industrial advocacy (for example as a union organiser, delegate, or industrial/workplace relations officer).
• Minimum 3 years' relevant experience in industrial advocacy, workplace relations or trade union casework.
• Sound working knowledge of the Fair Work Act 2009, modern awards and enterprise agreements relevant to the building and construction industry, and the ability to interpret and apply this legislation in practice.
• Demonstrated advocacy, negotiation and representation experience, including preparing and presenting matters before the Fair Work Commission or other industrial tribunals. A law degree or legal practising certificate is not required for this role (see Team Context above).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Adobe and related programs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement in industrially sensitive environments.
• Bachelor of Laws and/or current practising certificate — not required, but relevant where the role also takes on matters better suited to a legally qualified officer.
• Prior experience within a trade union or the construction/building industry.
• Current or provisional Right of Entry Permit(s), or ability to obtain.
• Experience appearing before courts (as distinct from the Fair Work Commission or other tribunals).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Based at the CFMEU NSW Branch office, Pyrmont, with travel across NSW (and occasional interstate/ACT support) as required.
• May be required to work outside ordinary hours from time to time (e.g. hearings, member emergencies, protected action).
• Current National Police Check (or willingness to obtain).
• Genuine commitment to the trade union movement and the interests of CFMEU members.

We are a trade union that proudly advocates for and defends the rights of a diverse workforce. We are dedicated to equity and inclusion and are committed to continually building a union that fosters an inclusive work environment. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all cultural backgrounds and identities, including underrepresented groups.