Content Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Content Designer

Company: CYOS Solutions (for Department of Employment and Workplace Relations - DEWR)

Location: Canberra, ACT, Australia

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Content Design / UX Writing / Government Services

Date Posted: 2026-10-02

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (WFH and remote considered on case-by-case basis)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design, create, review, and update participant-facing digital content for Workforce Australia, a critical Australian Government employment services program.

• Focus on web and notification content across authenticated and unauthenticated environments, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and user-centricity.

• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams in an agile project environment, utilizing Azure DevOps for work management.

• Apply best practices in UX writing, web writing, and communication writing, adhering to government style guides and digital service standards.

• Contribute to significant reforms and enhancements within the employment services program, impacting millions of Australians.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contractor position for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), specifically supporting the Workforce Australia program. The emphasis is on creating clear, accessible, and engaging content for job seekers and participants. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside potential in-office presence. The experience level is inferred from the responsibilities and the need for autonomy and potential mentoring.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, write, and structure complex digital content that meets user needs and is easy to understand for a diverse participant base.

• Implement best practices by adhering to style guides (WCAG 2.1, Government Style Manual), content patterns, content strategies, and departmental policies.

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across various levels to ensure content alignment and successful project delivery.

• Utilize evidence, data, and research (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Search Console) to continuously improve content and user experience.

• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams in an agile project environment, managing tasks and workflows using Azure DevOps.

• Participate actively in workshops and planning events to define requirements, develop features, and contribute to strategic content initiatives.

• Prepare documentation, presentations, and talking points to communicate content strategies and project updates to management and senior executives.

• Work autonomously, demonstrating initiative and self-direction, while also supporting content leads and mentoring less experienced staff.

• Contribute to specific project areas such as reforms to assessment and triaging, enhancements to search functions, digital employment fund streamlining, and career mapping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on content creation and strategic input, emphasizing user needs, data-driven improvements, and agile methodologies. The mention of mentoring indicates a potential need for leadership qualities or a senior-level candidate.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant communications field is preferred, though extensive experience may substitute. Short courses in writing, content design, online accessibility, or UX design are highly desirable.

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in content design, UX writing, or a similar role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating complex content creation and user-centric approaches. Experience within government or large-scale digital programs is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in writing, editing, structuring, and maintaining complex content that effectively meets user needs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to consult and manage stakeholders at all levels.

• Demonstrated ability to apply Australian Government and department style guides, including WCAG 2.1, Government Style Manual, and Digital Service Standards.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams in an agile project environment.

• Ability to provide strategic advice to management and senior executives regarding content design principles and implementation.

• Capacity to work autonomously, exercise initiative and self-direction, lead and manage staff, and effectively manage competing priorities. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content production and analysis software such as GatherContent.

• Proficiency with web analytics tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

• Experience with HTML for content implementation.

• Previous experience in system-related communications with a strategic communication approach to content.

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant communications field.

• Completion of short courses in writing, content design, online accessibility, or user experience (UX) design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The essential criteria are clearly defined, emphasizing practical experience and adherence to government standards. The desirable criteria provide a pathway for candidates to differentiate themselves, particularly those with specific tool experience or advanced training.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of digital content projects, with a focus on user-centric design and clear communication.

• Case studies demonstrating the process of designing, writing, and iterating on content for complex digital platforms, ideally for government or large-scale programs.

• Examples of content that adhere to accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and government style guides.

• Evidence of using data, user research, or analytics to inform content decisions and improve user experience.

• Documentation of collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., designers, developers, policy officers) in an agile setting. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of content strategy development, including audience analysis, content audits, and information architecture principles.

• Examples of workflow management within agile environments, potentially referencing tools like Azure DevOps.

• Evidence of content governance, style guide application, and quality assurance processes.

• Case studies detailing how content was improved based on user feedback, performance metrics, or A/B testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a content design role within a government context, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to demonstrate not just writing skill but also strategic thinking, adherence to standards, and collaborative project execution within an agile framework. The emphasis on data and user research is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80 - $100 per hour (inclusive of superannuation). Based on an estimated 40-hour work week, this translates to approximately $166,400 - $208,000 per annum before tax.

Benefits:

• Contract role offering a defined period of work with potential for extension until June 30, 2027.

• Opportunity to work on impactful government programs that affect millions of Australians.

• Hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a mix of remote and in-office work, offering flexibility.

• Potential for professional development through working on diverse projects and with experienced teams.

• Gaining experience within the Australian Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

• Possibility of mentoring less experienced staff, contributing to leadership development.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work considered on a case-by-case basis. The contract is initially until June 30, 2027, with potential for extensions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is provided per hour and includes superannuation, which is standard for contract roles in Australia. The benefits are largely tied to the nature of the contract, the impact of the work, and the flexibility offered by the hybrid arrangement. The estimated annual salary is provided for context, assuming a standard full-time workload.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government / Public Sector (specifically Employment Services and Policy)

Company Size: The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is a large Australian Government department, likely employing thousands of individuals across various functions and locations.

Founded: The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has a history through various departmental structures, with its current iteration focusing on key employment and skills initiatives.

Team Structure:

• The Participant Content Team is a specialized unit within DEWR, focusing on user-facing content for Workforce Australia.

• It operates at the intersection of policy, service delivery, and digital channels, requiring close collaboration with diverse subject matter experts.

• The team likely includes content designers, content leads, channel leads, and potentially subject matter experts from policy or service delivery areas.

• Roles involve working within multidisciplinary teams in an agile project environment, suggesting a flat or matrixed reporting structure for project work. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Content: Emphasis on using evidence, data, and research to inform content design and improvements.

• Agile Project Management: Working in iterative cycles, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, and utilizing tools like Azure DevOps.

• User-Centric Design: Prioritizing participant needs and ensuring content is clear, accessible, and easy to understand.

• Best Practice Adherence: Implementing established style guides, content patterns, and digital service standards.

Company Website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/ (DEWR) and https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/ (Workforce Australia)

📝 Enhancement Note: The context is a government department, which implies a focus on public service, adherence to regulations, and a structured approach to projects. The specific team operates within a digital transformation context, aiming to improve user experience for a large government program.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level (5-10 years of experience inferred). It requires significant autonomy, the ability to provide advice to senior management, and potentially mentor junior staff, indicating a level beyond entry-level or junior content designer.

Reporting Structure: The Content Designer will report to a Content Lead or similar managerial role within the Participant Content Team. Project work will be conducted within multidisciplinary agile teams, with collaboration across various functions.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on the user experience of millions of Australians seeking employment services. Effective content design can improve understanding of obligations, access to support, and overall program engagement, contributing to the successful delivery of government employment initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX writing, accessibility standards, and content strategy within the government sector.

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to mentor junior staff and contribute to strategic content advice, building leadership capabilities.

• Project Impact: Contribute to high-profile government reforms and program enhancements, gaining experience in large-scale digital projects.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Work closely with policy advisors, service delivery experts, developers, and UX designers, broadening understanding of government program delivery.

• Contract Extension & Future Roles: Successful performance may lead to contract extensions or opportunities within DEWR or other government agencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contractor role, the scope of responsibilities and the expectation of providing advice and mentoring suggest significant growth potential within the project duration. The impact is substantial due to the scale of the Workforce Australia program.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid WFH arrangement is available, with the option to work from DEWR offices in Australia's major cities. This suggests a modern, collaborative workspace designed to support both in-office and remote team members.

Office Location(s): While the work is based in ACT, the description mentions the possibility of working from offices in Australia's major cities as part of a virtual team. This implies DEWR has office presences in multiple key locations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Digital Environment: Expect to use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Azure DevOps) to work with a virtual, multidisciplinary team.

• Agile Workflow: The environment is structured around agile project methodologies, requiring adaptability and proactive engagement.

• Dedicated Digital Tools: Access to necessary software and platforms for content creation, management, and analysis will be provided.

• Focus on User Experience: The workspace culture is geared towards understanding and improving the participant journey through clear, effective communication.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers some flexibility regarding the balance of remote and in-office work, determined on a case-by-case basis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect, requiring candidates to be comfortable with remote collaboration and self-management while also being able to engage effectively in team settings. The government context might imply a structured but supportive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: CV (3-5 pages) and responses to essential/desirable criteria (max 5000 characters each). Focus on demonstrating capability or potential.

• Screening Interview: Likely a brief call to assess basic fit, communication skills, and understanding of the role.

• Technical/Skills Interview: In-depth discussion focusing on content design experience, UX writing principles, stakeholder management, and agile methodologies. May include a practical exercise or case study presentation.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through selected portfolio pieces, explaining your process, rationale, and impact.

• Panel Interview: May involve meeting with the hiring manager, team leads, and potentially other stakeholders to assess cultural fit and strategic thinking.

• Reference Checks: Standard procedure for government contractor roles.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong examples that best demonstrate your skills against the essential and desirable criteria. Prioritize government or large-scale digital projects if possible.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each piece, clearly outline the problem/challenge, your role and process, the solutions/content you developed, and the measurable outcomes or impact (e.g., improved user engagement, reduced support queries, enhanced clarity).

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Explain why you made certain content decisions. Discuss your approach to user research, accessibility, style guides, and stakeholder consultation.

• Demonstrate Agile Collaboration: Show how you've worked with developers, designers, policy experts, and used tools like Azure DevOps.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data (analytics, user feedback) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your content.

Challenge Preparation:

• Content Audit/Critique: Be prepared to analyze a piece of existing government content and suggest improvements based on UX, accessibility, and clarity principles.

• Content Design Scenario: You might be given a brief for a new piece of content (e.g., a webpage explaining a new service, an email notification) and asked to outline your approach, key messages, and potential structure.

• Stakeholder Management Scenario: Prepare to discuss how you would manage conflicting feedback or requirements from different stakeholders.

• Agile Workflow Discussion: Be ready to explain how you integrate into agile teams and manage your content tasks within sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process requires a detailed written submission upfront. The portfolio review is a critical component, so candidates must be prepared to articulate their process and impact clearly. Preparing for potential practical exercises or scenario-based questions is advisable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Content Management Systems (CMS): While not explicitly named, experience with enterprise-level CMS platforms used for government websites is beneficial.

• Azure DevOps: Essential for managing tasks, workflows, and collaboration within agile project teams.

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and potentially project collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics: Highly desirable for understanding user behavior and content performance.

• Google Search Console: Useful for analyzing search performance and identifying content optimization opportunities.

• Content Performance Tools: Experience with tools that track content engagement, readability, and effectiveness.

CRM & Automation:

• GatherContent: A desirable tool for content production workflow, planning, and management, especially in large projects.

• Accessibility Checkers: Tools or methodologies to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards.

• HTML: Basic understanding of HTML is required for content implementation, particularly for web content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack leans towards tools used in large-scale digital projects and government environments. Azure DevOps is a key requirement for project management. Experience with analytics and content production tools will significantly strengthen an application.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of participants, ensuring content is accessible and empowering.

• Clarity & Simplicity: A drive to communicate complex information in the clearest, most straightforward way possible, regardless of the subject matter.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting collective goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to using data, feedback, and research to iteratively enhance content and user experience.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Adherence to government standards, ethical practices, and a commitment to delivering high-quality public services.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with policy, service delivery, UX design, and development teams, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Agile Cadence: Collaboration will follow agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews), emphasizing iterative feedback and rapid adaptation.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment that encourages sharing insights, best practices, and lessons learned, fostering a culture of collective learning.

• Constructive Feedback: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on content and processes to achieve optimal outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture within a government department like DEWR, especially in a digital transformation context, will likely value precision, adherence to standards, and a collaborative, user-focused approach. The agile environment adds a dynamic layer to this.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Policy: Translating intricate government policies and program rules into clear, accessible language for a diverse audience.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the needs and feedback from various stakeholders (policy, legal, service delivery, executive) with user needs and technical constraints.

• Adhering to Strict Standards: Consistently meeting rigorous government style guides, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1), and digital service benchmarks.

• Working in a Large Bureaucracy: Adapting to established processes and potentially slower decision-making cycles inherent in large government organizations, while working within an agile framework.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining effective communication and team cohesion in a hybrid/remote work environment across different locations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen UX/Content Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in government UX writing, accessibility, and content strategy for public services.

• Master Agile Methodologies: Enhance skills in agile project management, particularly within a government context using Azure DevOps.

• Government Policy Insight: Develop a strong understanding of Australian employment services, skills development, and workplace relations policies.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunity to mentor junior team members and contribute to strategic content decisions, fostering leadership skills.

• Broaden Digital Skills: Exposure to various digital channels (web, app, notifications) and related technologies within the government sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for government digital roles, requiring strong analytical, communication, and adaptability skills. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering deep domain expertise and skill development in a unique sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex government policy and translating it into user-friendly content for a digital platform." (Focus on research, user needs analysis, drafting, review cycles, and iteration.)

• "How have you used data, analytics, or user research to inform your content design decisions and improve outcomes?" (Provide specific examples and metrics.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to manage conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a content project. How did you resolve it?" (Emphasize communication, negotiation, and prioritizing user needs.)

• "How do you ensure your content meets accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1?" (Discuss your tools, processes, and understanding of key principles.)

• "Describe your experience working in an agile environment. How do you integrate with developers, designers, and product owners?" (Highlight your role in ceremonies and collaboration tools like Azure DevOps.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Workforce Australia program?" (Show genuine interest in public service and the program's mission.)

• "How do you approach working autonomously and managing competing priorities in a remote/hybrid setting?" (Demonstrate self-discipline and organizational skills.)

• "How would you contribute to the collaborative culture of the Participant Content Team?" (Emphasize teamwork, knowledge sharing, and constructive feedback.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each portfolio piece, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the results.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: Clearly articulate why you made specific content decisions, referencing user research, style guides, and data.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics (e.g., engagement rates, task completion times, reduction in support queries) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your content.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other disciplines and managed feedback.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Aim for clarity and impact, respecting the interviewer's time. Practice your delivery to ensure it's smooth and confident.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of content design principles, government standards, agile methodologies, and stakeholder management. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing practical experience and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your updated CV (maximum 3-5 pages) and detailed responses to the essential and desirable criteria (each response no more than 5000 characters) through the provided application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Select 3-5 of your strongest content design projects that best align with the requirements. Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight government sector experience, user-centric design, accessibility compliance, and impact through data.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your CV clearly articulates your experience in UX writing, web content, stakeholder management, and agile methodologies. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements with specific metrics.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your content design process, your approach to complex information, and your collaborative skills. Prepare specific examples for scenario-based questions and be ready to present your portfolio confidently.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the Workforce Australia program. Understand their mission, target audience, and recent initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---