Hello,
I am absolutely confused! There is a municipal job opening in my field and really, it would be a perfect fit for me... I think I would be able to utilize some aspects of my job expectations to complete my dissertation. However, I've been cautioned by others that it is not a good idea to write on my job application that I am a phd candidate but instead highlight the skills I have acquired through research assistantships. If I write that I am a phd candidate I run the risk of potential employers overlooking my application. If I do get the job, I know I could make it work as I do not have too much work left on my dissertation. Any feedback from anyone would be great, thanks :)

Well you should highlight the skills (including the skills you developed in your PhD) anyway.

As you haven't yet completed your PhD this is a slightly different query to usual when people ask about omitting such things from their CV. One thing you could consider is describing yourself as a 'Postgraduate Researcher'. That's what I do for the period on my CV which relates to a PhD I left halfway through. I am reluctant to use the term 'Research Assistant' as that is a salaried position which I did not have, so I think that would be misleading.