Member Rights & Industrial Officer

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union; Sydney; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union NSW Branch seeks a Member Rights & Industrial Officer to be the first point of contact for member rights matters and to provide case preparation and advocacy support. The role supports Industrial Officers and staff, building safe, fair outcomes for members.

Based at the CFMEU NSW Branch office, Pyrmont, with travel NSW-wide and occasional interstate support. Requires relevant tertiary qualification and a commitment to union principles.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide advice or representation on workplace rights or industrial matters.
• Clear understanding of employment legislation, awards and enterprise agreements.
• Strong written and verbal communication under time pressure.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Industrial & Safety Team's first point of contact for member rights matters and undertakings.
• Provide guidance on rights under legislation, awards and enterprise agreements; resolve straightforward matters.
• Escalate matters requiring formal enforcement or advocacy to the appropriate officer.
• Record settlements and coordinate with Legal Secretary on disbursement of funds.
• Assist with preparation for Fair Work Commission and tribunal matters, including bundles and briefs to counsel.
• Undertake research on legislation and enterprise agreements to support submissions.
• Attend meetings and assist in representing members in grievances and investigations.
• Maintain accurate records in the case-tracking system and support file organisation.

Skills

First point of contact

Guidance on rights

Record & escalate

Case preparation support

Evidence gathering

Research legislation

Meetings representation

Confidentiality

Education

Tertiary qualification in Law/HR/IRD or equivalent

Job description

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union - Pyrmont NSW

ABOUT THE CFMEU

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

The Member Rights & Industrial Officer combines two functions: acting as the Industrial & Safety Team's first point of contact for members raising underpayment and other member rights matters, and providing case preparation and advocacy support to Industrial Officers. The role provides members with a clear, consistent front door for entitlement issues, while building the Team's capacity to prepare matters for advocacy without adding to Industrial Officers' caseloads.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Member Rights - First Point of Contact

• Act as the Industrial & Safety Team's first point of contact for members raising underpayment, entitlement and other member rights matters, whether received directly or referred by the organisers or membership team.
• Provide members with initial guidance on their rights under relevant legislation, awards and enterprise agreements, and resolve straightforward matters directly.
  Record and track all member rights matters – including those resolved without escalation – in the Team's case-tracking system, closing the current gap where such matters are followed up on inconsistently across the organisation.
• Escalate matters requiring formal enforcement, legal advice or advocacy to the appropriate Industrial Officer, the Compliance Officer or the Industrial & Safety Manager, with a clear handover.
• Record settlements reached in underpayment matters and coordinate with Legal Secretary on the disbursement of funds to members.
• Support Industrial Officers with preparation for Fair Work Commission, tribunal and court matters, including preparing bundles, chronologies and briefs to counsel.
  Assist with gathering evidentiary material for disputes, working to agreed timeframes set by the responsible Industrial Officer, and, under the direct supervision of a legally qualified Team member, assist in preparing witness statements.
• Undertake research on legislation, awards and enterprise agreements to support advice, submissions and case preparation.
• Attend meetings and, under the Industrial Officer's guidance and within the role's authority, assist in representing members in individual matters, such as grievances and workplace investigations.
• Case Tracking, Filing & Reporting
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the Team's case-tracking system for all matters handled across both the member rights and advocacy support functions.
• Support consistent file naming and shared drive organisation in line with Team protocols.
• Contribute member rights data and commentary to the Team's bi-monthly report.

Team Processes

• Attend Team meetings and comply with the Team's prioritisation, briefing-out and confidentiality/legal professional obligations policies.
• Provide backup support to Legal Secretary for case triage and enterprise bargaining/wage claim administration as required, maintaining cross-team continuity.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Tertiary qualification in Law, Human Resources, Industrial/Employment Relations, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing advice, guidance or representation to members or employees on workplace rights, underpayments or industrial matters.
• Sound understanding of, or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire, relevant employment/industrial legislation, awards and enterprise agreements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to members under time pressure.
• Strong relationship-building skills with members and, where relevant, employer representatives.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Genuine commitment to the union movement and members' collective interests.
• Prior experience in a trade union or the construction/building industry.
• Experience supporting legal or industrial advocacy (e.g. case preparation, evidentiary material, legal research).
• Current or provisional Right of Entry Permit(s), or ability to obtain.

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.