Position Title:                     Workers Compensation Advisor

Organisation:                     Queensland Council of Unions/Workers Compensation Information and Advisory Service (WCIAS)

Time fraction:                    Part time 0.6 fte

Salary                                    $72,203.04 [Plus 15% superannuation]

Contract period                 Permanent

About Queensland Unions

The Queensland Council of Unions is the peak union body in Queensland. It is comprised of 25 affiliated unions, representing nearly 400,000 union members.

Our Mission Statement is “Leading Unions to achieve industrial, political and social justice for Queensland Workers”. The QCU has an Executive of 46 Officers, 13 of whom form the Management Committee.

The Workers Compensation Information and Advisory Service (WCIAS) is a service within the QCU which is administered by the Office of Industrial Relations for workers as a workers’ compensation grant under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld).

Job Purpose & Reporting

The aims of the WCIAS are to:

• improve workers’ understanding of and ability to navigate the workers’ compensation scheme
• improve workers’ awareness and understanding of their obligations under the scheme, and how to meet those obligations, and
• improve workers’ experience with the scheme.

The WCIAS Policy Officer will report directly to the Executive Officer of the QCU and ultimately to the General Secretary.

Key Responsibilities

Working with other relevant staff, this position is expected to undertake the following duties in conjunction with other team members –

• servicing a line(s) of communication via which Queensland workers can access personalised, non-technical workers’ compensation advice, guidance and appropriate information on request, including, but not necessarily limited to, a toll-free phone line available between the hours of 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday (except for Queensland public holidays);
• maintaining a database and making available to the Office of Industrial Relations a database every quarter, which captures key demographics on workers accessing the service, the nature of their enquiries, the advice provided, number of repeat contacts to the service, and time spent on servicing each enquiry;
• maintaining with other relevant communications staff a dedicated, independent website with current and accurate workers’ compensation information relevant to workers, as well as details about the WCIAS and how to access the service;
• developing in conjunction with other relevant communications staff, resources to distribute to key stakeholders promotional materials about the WCIAS;
• delivering education initiatives to Queensland workers focused on workers’ compensation scheme processes, issues and trends; and
• working collaboratively with stakeholders and promoting OIR and other relevant sources of information to inform and educate workers about the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme.

Relevant Qualifications and Experience

Candidates will also need to demonstrate a high level of skills and experience in the field of workers’ compensation, including having contemporary knowledge of the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme, rehabilitation and return to work processes and procedures, and relevant legislation knowledge and experience. A relevant tertiary qualification is also desirable.

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience working in the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme, including a thorough working knowledge of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act and key elements of the workers’ compensation system.
• High level skills in the provision of information and advice about the workers’ compensation legislative framework and system.
• High level skills and proficiency in use of Microsoft word, excel and Powerpoint and/or other databases.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to design and prepare effective training and education packages.
• Good presentation skills and ability to deliver effective education and training sessions.
• Well developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• Well developed personal organisational and administrative skills.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to work as a collaborative team member.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong and effective relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values and principles of trade unionism and ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders within the trade union movement.
• Demonstrated commitment to the respect and values of cultural and social diversity both within the workforce and the community.

Other

This part time position is based in Brisbane. The QCU supports Equal Employment Opportunity and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, and/or people who identify as gender diverse with relevant experience and skills to apply.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Previous experience as an advisor or policy officer within the field of workers’ compensation.
2. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Experience in preparing and presenting information and providing education about workers’ compensation matters to workers and other stakeholders.
4. Ability to represent the Service in a professional capacity and to develop effective networks and relationships with relevant stakeholders.
5. Well evidenced ability to demonstrate the values and principles of unionism, and to practice respect and safety for all stakeholders, including diversity groups within the union movement and community.
6. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other team members and stakeholders, and to self-manage and work to deadlines, including applying a high level of attention to detail.
7. High level competency in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and/or other databases.

Application Process

For any further information regarding the position, please contact Ms Renee Kempin Executive Officer with the QCU on (07) 3010 2555 or reneek@qcu.asn.au. Applications close at 5 pm on September 29, 2023.

An applicant’s CV, together with a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria, should be forwarded to:

Ms Jacqueline King

General Secretary

Queensland Council of Unions Level 5

16 Peel Street

South Brisbane Qld 4101

or alternately emailed to reneek@qcu.asn.au