Briefly, a worker in totem poles (4)
I believe the answer is:
temp
'briefly a worker' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'in totem poles' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TEMP' can be found hidden inside 'totem poles'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for temp that I've seen before include "Non-full time employee" , "N on-permanent worker" , "Short-term office worker" , "Casual worker" , "Short-time worker" .)