Lake Eyre Basin traditional owner alliance – Brisbane QLD

About the Lake Eyre Basin Traditional Owner Alliance

The Lake Eyre Basin Traditional Owner Alliance (LEBTOA) brings Traditional Owner groups together to care for one of Australia's most significant river systems. The Alliance strengthens Traditional Owner leadership in ecological and cultural research, supports Indigenous knowledge, and speaks up for the protection and management of the Basin's free-flowing rivers.

The Cultural Flows Project supports Traditional Owners across the Lake Eyre Basin to describe the water they need to care for Country and culture. It helps communities record and measure those needs and speak up for their water aspirations. The project brings together Indigenous knowledge, cultural governance, community engagement, policy work and scientific evidence to help shape water planning and resource management decisions.

Position Purpose

As Project Officer – Cultural Flows, you will help get the Lake Eyre Basin Cultural Flows Project's work done. You will organise project activities, help Traditional Owners and other stakeholders take part, support research and information collection, and work with scientists and advisors to achieve project objectives.

Your work will help strengthen Traditional Owner participation in water decisions and protect the cultural values of rivers, wetlands, floodplains and groundwater. You will work closely with Traditional Owner representatives and community members, alongside government agencies, researchers and partner organisations, to support culturally informed outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination

- Keep Cultural Flows project activities moving by organising day-to-day work and following up agreed actions.
- Assist in designing and facilitating on-country field work and activities




- Keep track of project deadlines and flag emerging problems and risks early so they can be addressed.

People Engagement

- Assist in planning and facilitating workshops, meetings, and on-Country activities.
- Support respectful engagement with Traditional Owner groups across the Lake Eyre Basin.
- Ensure cultural protocols and governance processes are recognised and followed.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with Traditional Owner leaders, Elders, and community representatives.
- Support community participation and capacity-building initiatives.

Research and Knowledge Support

- Assist with collection, management, and analysis of project information and data.
- Support documentation of cultural values, Traditional Owner priorities, and cultural water objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

- Represent the project at meetings, workshops, forums, and conferences as required.
- Assist in preparing communication materials and stakeholder updates.

Key Selection Criteria

Knowledge and Experience

- Demonstrated experience of 'getting things done'
- You are practical and organised with demonstrated experience organising on-country projects
- You know how to talk respectfully with people and have demonstrated experience working with Indigenous people
- You are able to work independently and take responsibility for your activities

Skills and Capabilities





- You are confident working with technology such as GPS/GIS systems, database and mapping software.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management systems.

Personal Attributes

- Commitment to cultural safety, respect, and collaborative ways of working.
- Adaptability and willingness to travel regularly throughout remote and regional areas.
- Has existing networks in, and current or historical connection to Lake Eyre Basin Region (i.e. have lived or work in or undertaken project in).
- Knowledge of water planning, environmental water, Cultural Flows, or water policy frameworks.
- Experience working with Traditional Owner organisations, Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs), or Indigenous representative organisations.
- Qualifications in environmental management, Indigenous studies, community development, project management, natural resource management, social sciences, or related disciplines.
- Understanding of governance and community-led decision-making processes.

Conditions of Employment

- Current Driver Licence.
- Ability to undertake regional and remote travel, including overnight stays.
- National Police Check.
- Eligibility to work in Australia.

What We Offer

- Opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant Indigenous-led water initiative.
- Meaningful work supporting Traditional Owner aspirations for Country and culture.
- Supportive and values-driven team setting.
- Opportunity to work across one of Australia's most unique and culturally significant landscapes.

LEBTOA values cultural knowledge, lived experience, and community connections alongside formal qualifications and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate a commitment to Indigenous-led water management and self-determination.

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📌 Project Officer (Brisbane)
🏢 Lake Eyre Basin Traditional Owner Alliance
📍 Brisbane