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.

Please note this is a full-time non-ongoing opportunity through until 21 July 2027.

What you'll bring

You have exceptional attention to detail, maintain focus on quality, and a high task completion rate.

You are capable of applying relevant statutory and regulatory information to cartographic datasets, maps, and associated outputs.

You are an excellent communicator with strong internal and external stakeholder engagement capabilities.

You have the ability to communicate spatial information clearly to non‑technical audiences.

You thrive under pressure, manage competing priorities and user expectations, and can adapt to changes in requirements.

You are an effective member of a team, are flexible and versatile, show initiative,



and develop and maintain positive relationships.

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, adaptable 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.

- 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.

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.

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.

📌 Engagement Officer - Cultural Heritage and Native Title (Townsville)
🏢 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
📍 Townsville