Communications And Grants Officer Vrn 35/24

Award Classification: Level 5-6
Employment Conditions: Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream A) Award – State 2017
Department / Branch: Community Services & Wellbeing / Communication and Grants
Principal Location: Shire Office, Hughenden
Reports to: Director of Community Services & Wellbeing (or as directed)
Direct Reports: 0
Flinders Shire
Our Vision: Flinders Shire – a place of discovery, opportunity and lifestyle
Our Mission: To promote quality of life through leadership, attitude and respect
Our Values:
A Caring Philosophy Pursuit of Excellence Teamwork Local Ownership Communication Leadership Recognition Position Objective
The Communication and Grants Officer is responsible for the overall management of Council grants, and for the development and implementation of Council's communication strategies.
The position will be required to have strong written communication skills, and the ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure Council is awarded adequate funding and has a strong and effective media presence.

As a representative of Council, demonstrated professionalism and a commitment to a high level of service and continuous improvement in the best interest of Council and the Community are essential.

Key Responsibilities
Media and Communications:
Research, write and distribute a range of accurate media items as authorised, including media releases, community announcements, fact sheets, media responses and community newsletters.
Develop and maintain a media contact register.
Write and collate positive news stories regarding Council operations and community events and activities.
Develop and review communication strategy to convey consistent quality messages across the full spectrum of Council's materials and channels.
Assist with creation of photo and video footage to promote good news stories and Council initiatives.
Support team members by providing editing and proofreading support.
Support other departments with the development of content for websites, social media, corporate publications and community publications.
Organise media briefings (as required) and photo opportunities to promote Council projects and strategic direction.
Monitor the media environment and advise key staff and stakeholders of emerging issues with potential impacts for Council.
Review and implement corporate style guide.
Respond to media enquiries as required.
Grant Management
Overall management of grant applications and coordination of existing grant agreements, including the provision of specialist technical advice on all external funding programs relating to Council.
Assist key community stakeholders to identify, collate, and lodge applications for grants that align to Council's strategic directions.
Coordinate project reporting and acquittal processes, in partnership with lead department identify and monitor new and existing funding programs, as well as research and prepare detailed funding submissions and business cases in collaboration with key officers, relevant teams and key community stakeholders.
Write high-quality grant submissions that encompass Council's strategic objectives and align with organisational capacity.
Assist with the acquittal of all grants and ensure that all reporting requirements of the grants have been completed in accordance with the funding agreement.
Undertake general administrative tasks associated with the management of Council's grants, as required, including but not limited to procurement, raising purchase orders, filing, tracking invoices and maintaining a grants register.
Stakeholder Engagement
Support Community groups and organisations to access grant funding through training and sharing of information.
Develop effective relations with stakeholders, both internal and external ensuring positive reflection on Council and the Community Services and Wellbeing team.
Participate in forums and meetings to raise awareness of Councils Community Services and Wellbeing team, enhance networking across Flinders Shire and address community concerns regarding priority projects.
Actively promote the Community Services and Wellbeing team and Council through various platforms including social media and publicly on grant opportunities, fundraising, sponsorship and provide feedback and support of Council to community group applications.
General
Consistently complete allocated tasks to a high standard and within agreed timeframes.
Undertake other tasks up to and including your competency and level.
Actively promote the values of the organisation to staff.
Actively participate in identifying, recommending, developing and implementing measures through which allocated tasks and responsibilities may be carried out more effectively and efficiently.
Administration
Ensure general administration and records management requirements are being met.
Provide courteous and professional customer service to internal and external customers and conduct all transactions in an ethical and efficient manner.
Contribute positively to a supportive team-based work environment and participate in team meetings and training sessions as required.
Ensure that requests are acted on and reported upon in accordance with Council Policy.
Keep the Director of Community Services & Wellbeing appropriately and adequately informed on the current state of activities relevant to your role and to highlight in advance any points likely to influence Council operations or relations with ratepayers and/or the public.
Maintain a personal time management system to ensure deadlines are met; to ensure that other staff of the Council are given due notice and time to comply with deadlines so that their own personal planning is not inconvenienced.
Organisational Continuous Improvement & Quality Management
Willingness and ability to adapt to challenge and opportunities: changing workforce capabilities through multiskilling, succession planning, knowledge management.
Changing technologies and operational procedures by expanding your knowledge of future trends and required competencies.
Willingness and ability to set the example and live the values.
Willingness and ability to advocate a positive and constructive organisational culture.
Willingness to accept responsibility for your own actions and decisions, and to be held accountable for such.
Willingness and ability to integrate the competing demands of work, home, community and self.
Corporate Responsibilities
All employees are bound by the Queensland Local Government Act 2009 to act with integrity, and in a way that shows proper concern for the public interest.
All employees are responsible for acting in accordance with the Flinders Shire Council Code of Conduct and other relevant policies, procedures and protocols as may be applicable to the role.

Workplace Health & Safety
All workers have a duty to familiarise themselves with and comply with statutory and Flinders Shire Council Work Health and Safety (WH&S) requirements, including the WH&S Management System, and WH&S Policies, Procedures and work instructions.

Take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety.
Take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons.
Comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the person in control of the business or undertaking (PCBU) to allow the person to comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (e.g.
wearing of Personal Protective Equipment as instructed).
Cooperate with any reasonable Policy or Procedure of the PCBU relating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers (e.g.
reporting of incidents).
Participate in the consultation and communication processes as prescribed in the Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice 2021 .
Other Requirements
This position operates from Council's Administration Office in Hughenden, however, may be required to travel within the Local Government Area and work outside of standard business hours to meet the requirements of the role.
Travel (including outside of normal hours) to attend training may be required.
The incumbent must be: prepared to work flexible hours to meet the requirements of the position; willing to obtain a 'Suitability Card' to enable the incumbent to work with or supervise people less than eighteen (18) years of age if required; medically fit and physically capable to meet requirements of the position; Prepared, if required, to undertake a medical assessment by Council's medical practitioner; Prepared, if required, for Council to undertake a Criminal History Check.
Organisational Relationships and Delegations
Internal: Community Services & Wellbeing Team, other portfolios across Council and senior leaders including Chief Executive Officer.

External: Community groups, contractors, suppliers, government departments, general public and other Local Government regions.

Delegations: The Communication and Grants Officer works under limited direction, has the skills to manage time and organisational priorities.
This position has delegated decision making and purchasing authority in accordance with Council's Delegation Register and Procurement Policy.

Selection Criteria
Essential
Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (i.e., Media and Communications, Journalism, Community Development or Business), and/or equivalent relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience in writing grant applications, grant management, acquittal and report writing, particularly in a Local Government environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of current communication and media relations practices, and the ability to apply this in a Local Government environment.
Well-developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, together with demonstrated networking experience to assist with and build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent organisational and time management skills, within proven ability to organise and prioritise work and complete tasks with tight timeframes in a high-pressure environment.
High level of keyboard and computer skills including sound working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, and social media e.g.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Sound knowledge or understanding, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of legislated framework governing Council in regard to finance, procurement and community engagement.
Current unrestricted C Class drivers' licence and ability to travel throughout the Flinders Shire and other locations as required.
Commitment to uphold Council's Code of Conduct, Workplace Health and Safety and Anti-Discrimination policies.
Desirable
Photography and/or videography skills and experience.
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