* Based at our Coburg offices with hybrid work arrangements available #LI-Hybrid
* Full time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
* Monthly RDO
* Exciting change agenda and fantastic new team
* Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government
About Merri-bek City Council
Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places.
Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.
About the role
Merri-bek City Council is looking for a talented communications star to join the Communications team. As a high-profile metropolitan Council in Melbourne, we’re seeking a go-getter with initiative to help protect and enhance Merri-bek’s reputation by driving great communication on Council services.
You would be working in a fun and supportive team of communications professionals working in partnership with the wider organisation to achieve great outcomes for our community. This exciting opportunity also offers leadership opportunities and the chance to progress and build your career prospects.
You’ll have occasional contact with media to secure coverage and respond to enquiries, while leading some of Council’s complex communications projects within the Communications Unit.
This is a fast-paced role with a different focus every day, working as a trusted partner on projects across the organisation.
Skills and experience required to perform the role
o Previous experience in leading, planning and implementing large and small communications plans and campaigns for a large organisation, with experience in government highly desirable
o Ability to communicate about complex projects and policies using creative communications that audiences engage with and respond to in a positive way.
o Working independently to achieve quality communications outcomes in tight timeframes
o Experience managing relationships with the media, responding to enquiries, preparing media releases and proactive media pitches and facilitating media launches.
The role will involve
o Supporting the Strategic Communications Coordinator by delivering high quality, proactive and integrated two-way communications to inform and engage the diverse community of Merri-bek.
o Enhancing the community’s perception of Council by delivering strategic communications campaigns that are targeted effectively to reach the diverse community of Merri-bek.
o Leading, planning and delivering strategic communications plans for key complex projects delivered by Council.
o Monitoring and managing Council’s reputational risk, identifying emerging and critical communication issues and addressing these in collaboration with the Strategic Communications Coordinator.
o Working with the Strategic Communications Coordinator, facilitating an effective relationship between Council and the media by liaising with the media, preparing media releases and responding to media enquiries.
What the role can offer
o Monthly RDO
o Extensive opportunities for training & career development
o Salary sacrifice options
o A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
o Employer-supported study assistance schemes
o Wellness programs
Further support offered for our staff
o Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
o Purchase leave
o Ceremonial leave
o Gender affirmation leave
o Family violence leave
For further information about this position please contact Emma Hastings, Strategic Communications Coordinator, on 0407 556 101.
Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid WWCC. Please have this ready when completing your application.
How to apply
Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.
*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.
Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.
Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.
Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.
We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience. Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on
Our Commitment
In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.
Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.
Privacy Acknowledgment
Merri-bek City Council's recruitment system, medical, police check, reference checking and onboarding processes are hosted by external service providers who also recognise the importance of privacy. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge that your personal information will be hosted by these external service providers unless you request us not to do so.
Personal and or health information collected by Council is used for municipal purposes as specified in the Local Government Act 2020. The personal and or health information will be used by Council for these purposes and or related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if authorised or required by legislation. The applicant understands that the personal and or health information provided is for the above purpose and that they may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information.
Please note that the information provided as part of your application will not be accessed by anyone other than the People and Safety Branch and the hiring manager.
Acknowledgement
By submitting this application, I declare that to the best of my knowledge, the information supplied in this application (including accompanying documents) are true and correct. I understand that if any false or deliberately misleading information is given, or any relevant material withheld, my application will not be progressed, or if I am employed, my employment may be terminated at the discretion of Council. I further understand that any offer of employment is subject to all the pre-employment checks appropriate to the role being completed to the satisfaction of the Council.
Consent to Contact Referees
I understand that a representative of Merri-bek will contact me to gain my permission to contact any listed referee's before conducting a reference.
Preliminary Health Declaration
All applicants are required to complete a Preliminary Health Declaration as part of the application process. Merri-bek City Council advises that failure to disclose any pre-existing or past relevant physical restrictions, injury or condition, suffered by you which may affect your ability to fulfil inherent requirements of the position(s) applied for may result in you being disentitled to claim compensation. This is in accordance with the current Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act in respect of any further injury or illness, recurrence, exacerbation or aggravation of this injury, disease or condition.
Council requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide evidence of this as part of this application. Please note: If you are short listed for an interview, you will be required to present your vaccination certificate for sighting.
Working With Children Checks
Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and providing environments that are safe for children and young people. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and harm. If the role you are applying for requires a Working with Children Check, you will be required to upload a copy of this document as part of your application.
Qualifications/Licences
Evidence of relevant qualifications and/or licences as required for the position you are applying for will need to be uploaded as part of your application.
o Yes I agree to the privacy statement *
Personal Details * Required field
o Title *
o First name *
o Last name *
o E-mail *
o Phone *
Digits only or add + for international numbers
+ Street *
+ Street Cont.
+ City, Town or Suburb *
+ Postcode or Zipcode *
+ Country *
+ State, Region or Province *
+ LinkedIn URL
(Please click on your profile and copy the URL from your profile page.)
Questions
Work rights: *
# Australian Permanent Resident Visa
# Australian Temporary Resident Visa
# New Zealand Citizen
# Bridging Visa
# Student Visa
# Working Holiday Visa
# Temporary shortage skills visa
# Refugee/humanitarian
If you answered no to not being an Australian Citizen, Merri-bek City Council will require to conduct a VEVO check through the Department of Home Affairs. Do you consent to this? *
# Yes
# No
# NA
Have you lived and/or worked outside of Australia for more than a 12-month period in the past 10 years? (if yes you will be require to complete an international police check as part of the final stages in our recruitment process).
# Yes
# No
'To support culturally safe recruitment processes, do you identify as an Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander)? *
# Yes, Aboriginal
# Yes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
# No
# I do not wish to disclose
# Do you require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate equitably in our recruitment process? *
Please confirm that you are vaccinated for COVID-19 as this is a requirement of Council’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.Please note: If you are short listed for an interview, you will be required to present your vaccination certificate for sighting. *
# Yes
# No
For equity and inclusion reporting we collect information on Gender. Please describe your gender. *
# Man
# Women
# I do not wish to disclose
Current Employee Status with Merri-bek City Council: *
Have you previously been employed at Merri-bek through an Agency or as a Contractor: *
# Current
# Former
# Not applicable
We conduct police checks as part of our recruitment process; do you give Merri-bek permission to conduct this check if your application progresses to the final stage? *
# Yes
# No
Do you have a Current Working with Children Check, or have the ability to obtain one?
Note: If you do not have a current Working with Children Check you will need to apply for one and attach your application receipt. You can apply for a Working with Children Check via *
# Yes
# No
I have read and understand the position description *
# Yes
# No
I have read and understand the relevant physical requirements of this position in the position description *
# Yes
# No
Do you have a current or pre-existing physical injury, or medical condition that may prevent you from undertaking the inherent requirements of the role? Disclosure will assist Council to provide reasonable adjustments as appropriate* *
# Yes
# No
# If yes to the above please outline
# Merri-bek City Council is a diverse organisation, and we support people from priority groups where possible, including those with disabilities. If you require adjustments to the inherent requirements or to perform in the position, please describe.* *
You may be required to undertake a medical, which includes a drug and alcohol test prior to offer or commencement, do you give permission for this testing to be conducted? *
# Yes
# No
Merri-bek City Council advises that failure to disclose any or all relevant physical, medical or any other illness, injury or condition, or any past or pre-existing illness, injury or condition suffered by you which may affect your ability to fulfill inherent requirements of the position(s) applied for may result in you being dis-entitled to claim compensation according to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 in respect of any further injury or illness, recurrence, exacerbation or aggravation of this injury, disease or condition. *
# Acknowledge
Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. All employees are required to adhere to Council’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policies and Procedures and training will be provided on commencement. *
#J-18808-Ljbffr