Engagement Officer - Native Title and Cultural Heritage - Vacancy Details

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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 d

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