Lands & Heritage Officer

• Salary range between $98,035 - $110,276  per annum depending on skills/experience, + superannuation .
• Salary packaging (up to $15,899 a year, + meal/entertainment benefit of $2,650 a year). 
• 5 weeks annual leave per year
• Christmas shut down period credited as additional leave.
• LSL vested after 7 years of service.
• Employee Assistance Program.

About us

Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation represents the Traditional Owners of the Whadjuk region of the southwest of Western Australia. We work to manage native title benefits, while also advancing and strengthening Noongar culture, language, heritage, and society. 

Whadjuk is the name of the dialectal group from the Perth area. The major cities and towns within the Whadjuk region include Perth, Fremantle, Joondalup, Armadale, Toodyay, Wundowie, Bullsbrook and Chidlow. The approximate size of the Whadjuk region is 5580 km.

Throughout the Whadjuk Region there are a range of significant Noongar sites. For instance, Ngooloormayup, known as Carnac Island; Meeandip, known as Garden Island; Gargangara north of Armadale; and Goolamrup, the suburb known as Kelmscott.

As our Lands and Heritage Officer, you will work with the Lands and Heritage Manager and be responsible for the protection of Noongar heritage by the management and coordination of the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement (NSHA) process and other matters as required in compliance with the Whadjuk ILUA, State and Commonwealth Aboriginal Heritage Laws and our Corporations Cultural Advice policies.

Location

Perth

Hours

Full time – permanent

Aboriginality

The role will be to assist Aboriginal Community groups to identify needs, develop and implement strategies to address cultural heritage, land management, heritage protection of cultural sites and the cultural intellectual property of Aboriginal people. For this position, Aboriginality is considered essential. Therefore the position is a 50(d) position under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 .

Duties

Leadership:

• Ensure best practice standards, policies and procedures are applied.
• Promote understanding of and respect for Noongar heritage, culture, attachment to land and contemporary issues in the wider community.

Project and programs:

• Contribute to the team’s delivery of the lands management and heritage requirements - including working with commercial proponents, and a variety of stakeholders to ensure Noongar/wider Aboriginal heritage values are understood, respected and that appropriate protocols are followed as afforded under legislation and lore.
• Contribute to the delivery of heritage protection and conservation programs including working with our Cultural Advice Committee, land managers and communities to enhance their understanding, compliance and voluntary ability to protect and manage Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• Review and/or Prepare documents including reports, briefing papers, correspondence, submissions and advice on operational lands, heritage and cultural issues.
• Contribute to investigation of compliance or enforcement activities under relevant legislation.
• Provide support to the Corporation to improve lands and heritage management including support and guidance to access information from georeferenced heritage management systems (GIS based) including State, Commonwealth and bespoke Noongar information systems.
• Participate in the team’s business planning activities in line with strategic plans, and contribute to development of operational budgets, corporate plans and grant requirements.
• Provide appropriate advice that requires cultural knowledge and experience in dealing with the sensitivities of Aboriginal cultural heritage matters pertaining to the Corporation’s ILUA.
• Co-ordinate timely responses to activity notices; arrange and participate in survey selection meetings. Manage any follow-up action required in relation to survey or monitor team selection.
• Attend heritage surveys. liaise with government, mining companies, other proponents, anthropologists / archaeologists, heritage service providers and other consultants to obtain copies of finalised survey reports. Prepare reports on heritage matters for our Cultural Advice Commitee , Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation and the Central Services Corporation management.
• Capture and record historical and current information regarding land and heritage access.
• Undertake such other duties as directed.

Stakeholders:

Liaise and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including state agencies, local authorities and local government agencies.

Selection criteria

• Aboriginality is considered an essential criterion.
• Tertiary qualifications in an appropriate field and high level of IT skills in Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, especially in a cross-cultural context, coupled with a demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively, clearly and effectively with Aboriginal people.
• Ability to organise and coordinate work efficiently, to set priorities and to motivate others.
• Ability to work with government/non-government proponents, land developers, and miners.
• Ability to manage and coordinate Heritage Protection and land management with Aboriginal people.
• Understanding of Aboriginal issues, particularly those to do with heritage, native title and other land matters, coupled with an understanding of the native title process, particularly in relation to relevant legisltation.
• Experience in administrative procedures and community liaison, in a cross-cultural context.
• Ability to make informed decisions in complex and challenging circumstances, with the capacity to negotiate outcomes and deliver on priorities.
• Maturity and resilience.
• An understanding of the South West Settlement and the transition to a non-native title environment.
• Ability to undertake a demanding and complex work program independently and/or as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• At least 2 years experience in working in Heritage with an Aboriginal managed and/or focused organisation/department.
• Current drivers’ licence and able to undertake 4x4 driving in bushland if required.

Section 50D

The role will be to assist Aboriginal Community groups to identify needs, develop and implement strategies to address cultural heritage, land management, heritage protection of cultural sites and the cultural intellectual property of Aboriginal people. For this position, Aboriginality is considered essential. Therefore the position is a 50(d) position under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 .

Apply now

Seize this opportunity and apply now:

• Address the selection criteria.

Closing date for applications is 5pm Friday, 20 October 2023

• $98,035 - $110,276 + super + salary packaging