Engagement Officer, First Nations (Identified)

Engagement Officer, First Nations (Identified)

First Nations Community Access to Archives (FNCAA) Project

Join us at the Australian Museum and help us to achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change.

About the Project

The Australian Museum is delivering the First Nations Community Access to Archives (FNCAA) Project, a three-year initiative dedicated to reconnecting Aboriginal communities with culturally significant archival materials that support language and cultural revitalisation.

Led by the Museum's First Nations Division, the project will identify, digitise and enhance access to Aboriginal cultural, historical and language records held within the Australian Museum's Archives and Collections. Working in partnership with Aboriginal communities across New South Wales, the project is founded on the principles of self-determination, cultural integrity and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), ensuring communities have greater access to and authority over their own cultural heritage.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a meaningful project that delivers lasting social, cultural and community outcomes while strengthening relationships between First Nations peoples and one of Australia's leading cultural institutions.

About the Role

The Engagement Officer, First Nations plays a key role in delivering the FNCAA Project's community engagement and outreach activities. Working within the Collections & Engagement (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) team, the role builds strong relationships with Aboriginal communities, Elders, cultural knowledge holders, practitioners and Museum colleagues to support access to culturally significant archival materials and promote language and cultural revitalisation.

The role combines community engagement with collections and project support. Responsibilities include coordinating engagement activities, assisting with archival access and documentation, contributing to collection management and metadata enhancement, and supporting culturally appropriate access to Museum archives. The position also provides project administration support, maintains accurate records, and works collaboratively across the Museum to deliver project outcomes.

This is an identified First Nations role that contributes to a First Nations-led project focused on creating meaningful cultural, social and community outcomes while upholding cultural integrity and supporting community self-determination.

Employment Status:

•  Clerk grade 5/6
•  Fixed-Term, up to 30 June 2029
•  Part-Time, 28 hours per week

You will be paid a competitive pro-rated total remuneration package of $93,465 - $103,126, including a pro-rated annual salary of $82,348 - $90,863, plus employer’s contribution to superannuation (currently 12%) and annual leave loading. 

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•  Role Description
•  AM Candidate Pack

About you

The successful candidate will bring a strong commitment to working respectfully with First Nations communities and supporting the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage. Strong relationship-building skills, cultural capability and the ability to engage confidently with Aboriginal communities, Elders, cultural advisors and a broad range of stakeholders will be essential.

Success in the role will require excellent communication and organisational skills, together with the ability to balance community engagement, project administration and collections-related activities. A respectful and collaborative approach, underpinned by an understanding of cultural protocols, ethical practice and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) principles, will be highly valued.

The successful candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a project that improves community access to significant cultural and language materials while strengthening connections between First Nations peoples and their cultural heritage.

 To be eligible for this role at the Australian Museum, you must hold full working rights in Australia and meet all essential requirements listed in the position description.

Knowledge and Experience

•  Demonstrated understanding and application of culturally appropriate museum practices, cultural awareness, and terminology in order to perform in processes that are culturally aware and appropriate. This includes the capacity to embed ICIP into work and community practice.
•  Well-established relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, and the ability to maintain effective relationships with Elders, community members, stakeholders, and industry.
•  Demonstrated administrative, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, attention to detail and proof-reading skills.
•  Working knowledge and experience with archival collections, information management, and/or collection digitisation techniques.
•  Valid, current NSW Driver’s licence and willingness to work across Australian Museum locations and to travel to community locations for outreach activities.

Essential Requirements

•  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and lived experience. Aboriginality/Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
•  Appropriate approved qualifications and/or relevant equivalent professional experience in cultural heritage, collecting institutions practices, information management. Including demonstrated ability to work on museum projects and understanding the complexities and sensitivities required when working with First Nations languages and cultures in a revitalisation context.

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.  

The Australian Museum acknowledges that we operate on the lands, waters and skies of many First Nations Peoples. As Australia’s first museum, we share the responsibility of advocating for Country and honouring First Nations Peoples and knowledges.

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Benefits

Besides working together with other like-minded people, you will have access to professional development opportunities and dedicated Wellbeing programs.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit:

1.  A one to two page covering letter which address the role descriptions essential requirements, key knowledge and experience.
2.  Resume

 As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer the following targeted questions:

1.  This role requires building trusted relationships with First Nations communities and a diverse range of stakeholders while navigating differing expectations, cultural protocols and sensitive issues. Please describe a time when you successfully engaged with multiple stakeholders to achieve a positive outcome. What approach did you take to build trust, manage differing perspectives and ensure respectful engagement? (350 words maximum)
2.  Describe a situation where you were responsible for coordinating multiple activities while maintaining accuracy, meeting deadlines and following established procedures or protocols. How did you prioritise your work, collaborate with others and ensure quality outcomes were achieved? (350 words maximum)

The successful candidate applicant will be subject to national criminal records check. As recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Australian Museum encourages all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.

Contact person: Courtney Marsh, Senior Cultural Producer, First Nations at Courtney.Marsh@Australian.Museum or 02 9320 6001

 Inclusive and Welcoming

The Australian Museum is committed to building a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve.

We actively encourage applications from First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people with disability, including physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, neurological, psychosocial, and chronic health conditions, whether visible or hidden; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people of all ages; members of the LGBTQIA+ community; and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager or include your requirements in your application. This may include alternative formats, communication support, flexible interviews, accessible locations, or extra assessment time. Any information you share will be kept confidential.