Vacancy Details

Engagement Officer - Cultural Heritage and Native Title
APS5

Townsville
Non-ongoing; Full-time to 21 July 2027
Applications close Sunday 29 November 2026, 11:59pm AEST

 

The Position

We are seeking an enthusiastic engagement officer with strong communication and organisational skills to  contribute to the agency’s compliance with requirements of the Native Title Act 1993 and the building of effective working relationships with Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owners and other First Nations peoples.

The role is responsible for coordination of support services, especially with respect to the delivery of regulatory requirements of the Native Title Act and cultural heritage advice. This includes day to day support, advice and administration of cultural referrals and Future Act Notifications for the Permission System.

You will contribute to the delivery of projects under the Reef Authority’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Strategy to improve assessment of potential risks and impacts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous heritage values through the Marine Parks permissions system. 

This is a full-time non-ongoing opportunity through until 21 July 2027

What you'll do

  • Interpret and apply relevant Commonwealth and state legislation, policy and procedures to meet obligations under the Native Title Act 1993 for applications for Marine Park permissions.
  • Engage with Traditional Owners and relevant stakeholders on how the permissions system works within regulations and understand potential impacts to Traditional Owner cultural heritage values associated with proposed access and use of the Marine Park.
  • Contribute to the development or improvement of policies, guidelines and procedures related to native title and cultural heritage protection within the permission system.
  • Develop communication and support tools to assist internal and external stakeholders including First Nations peoples and organisations better understand the managing agencies policies.
  • Liaise, engage and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders and clients, and represent the Reef Authority as required.

What you'll bring

  • You are culturally aware and can fostering collaborative partnerships that bring benefits and outcomes for both Traditional Owners and environmental management.
  • You will have, or be able to quickly acquire, an ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation/policy, relevant to the Marine Park and Native Title Act 1993.
  • You have excellent interpersonal and team skills, to work collaboratively across a range of internal and external stakeholders and drive a range of diverse projects.
  • You are a problem solver with an eye for detail and proven ability to manage competing tasks and meet timeframes.
  • You are supportive of strategic direction and can clearly articulate the organisation’s goals.
  • You have strong written and verbal communication skills, tailored to a range of audiences including high level government briefings and First Nations peoples.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sandra Garvin, Assistant Director , Ph. 07 4750 0767

Why join the Reef Authority?

At the Reef Authority, you'll build a meaningful career while helping protect one of the world's most iconic natural assets. We offer a supportive, flexible and purpose-driven workplace where your work has real impact.

You'll enjoy competitive APS employment conditions, including up to 15.4% employer superannuation, flexible working arrangements, wellbeing initiatives, professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

Essential Requirements

To be eligible for employment, candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

The position requires a Baseline security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level. 

The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.

Desirable qualifications or equivalent experience

  • An understanding of, or an ability to rapidly acquire an understanding of the Native Title Act 1993 and other relevant legislation relating to Traditional Owner Cultural Heritage
  • Experience in liaising with First Nations Peoples.
  • Knowledge of or an ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of the multiple uses of, and the management framework for, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
  • Experience in risk based environmental management and / or regulatory decision making.

How to apply 

The Reef Authority is committed to authenticity and integrity in all recruitment activities. We want to understand who you are, your experiences, and what you bring to the role.

While you may use AI tools to assist with your application, your final submission must reflect your own voice, skills, and experiences. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Misrepresentation or unethical use of AI can compromise fairness and integrity and may result in removal from the process or other consequences. AI should be used to support (not replace) your authentic contribution.

Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Please prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

  1. how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.
  2. any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
  3. how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.

Please complete your application online and provide:

  • your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).
  • proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
  • a current curriculum vitae (resume)

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website. 

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.

Notes

  • Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy, may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months..
  • We do not accept unsolicited résumés from recruitment agencies.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.  For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Eligibility 

Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to: 

  • Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999. 
  • Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level. 
  • Evidence of citizenship status. 
  • Evidence of qualifications required of the role. 
  • Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority. 
  • The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement. 
  • The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.