First Nations Officer
Job No:
COG1557
Location:
Bundall
- Full Time | 9-day fortnight | 36 hours
- $94,439 - $98,355 plus superannuation
- Position Brief – First Nations Officer
About the role
Located within the First Nations Team, the First Nations Officer plays a vital role in supporting meaningful First Nations participation for identified City projects and events. This position will be predominantly office-based in our Bundall Precinct, focusing on supporting City project engagement activities with internal teams and stakeholders, as well as providing direct support on the Reconciliation Action Planning (RAP) deliverables for our team. With a strong focus on building advocacy and cultural awareness within the organisation, the role provides direct support to the Senior First Nations Officer and Coordinator on First Nations engagement best-practices and First Nations engagement.
Further position responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Support the Coordinator First Nations and Senior First Nations Officer in undertaking First Nations engagement on City projects, including the preparation of documentation, following established guidelines and instructions, and maintaining the City’s First Nations Stakeholder Contract Register
- Support and engage with local First Nations on City processes and protocols
- Assist in the delivery of First Nations participation in City events as required. Support for Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country engagement activities
- Build and maintain relationships with customers, internal stakeholders, Traditional Owners, and identified First Nations stakeholders to achieve effective participation outcomes, as directed by the Coordinator First Nations
- Coordinate and support responses to general internal and external First Nations enquiries, ensuring timely and accurate information is provided, in consultation with the Coordinator First Nations. This includes auditing the requests and monitoring trends and cultural concerns
- Provide advocacy and advice for internal requests and public sector First Nations participation, ensuring that the City's initiatives are inclusive and respectful of First Nations cultures and perspectives. This will be done in consultation with the Coordinator First Nations
- Escalate sensitive enquiries and requests to the Coordinator First Nations
- Assist in the development and maintenance of website updates and SharePoint content related to First Nations engagement.
We’re looking for people who have:
- Previous experience in building cultural awareness within organisations that will support deliverables of the RAP for our team
- A strong understanding of best practices in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, with proven experience in navigating sensitivities related to Traditional Owner engagement and First Nation stakeholders whilst undertaking duties is essential
- Relevant degree with experience in public relations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, or a related field. Alternatively, an Associate Diploma with substantial experience in public sector First Nations participation. Less formal qualifications with specialised skills sufficient to perform the duties required at this level may also be considered
- Demonstrated experience working on First Nations matters and assisting and supporting First Nations participation in public sector projects
- Demonstrated stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with identified customers, internal stakeholders, Traditional Owners, and First Nations stakeholders
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills and the ability to provide specialist advice on First Nations matters
- Understanding of Reconciliation Action Plan development, deliverables and their implementation
- The ability to support City events and projects ensuring First Nations perspectives and engagement are embedded in planning and delivery, and experience in collaborating with various departments and stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for First Nations participation
- Active participation in the RAP Working Group, providing insights and feedback on RAP initiatives and supporting the development and implementation of RAP deliverables
- Driver's licence - Desirable.
How to apply
To submit your application, please click apply now and complete the application form. You will be required to upload your resume and a cover letter (no more than two pages) outlining how your skills, experience and personal attributes will enable you to be successful in this role. Please note that you may also be asked to provide relevant qualifications, where applicable.
Contact Person Melanie Lavelle-Maloney or Jansen Croft
Contact Email mlavelle-maloney@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or JCROFT@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Closing Date Sunday 22 March 2026 at 11:59 pm
Our selection process may include a one-way video interview via Criteria, a face-to-face or virtual interview via Microsoft Teams, reference checks via Xref and additional checks including police checks, employment history checks, qualification checks, pre-employment medical reviews and drug and alcohol testing.
We’re committed to creating a diverse workplace and inclusive culture. We take pride in people who align with our high-performance principles. We believe that the diverse makeup of our workforce reflects the community we serve. We consider all qualified candidates for employment, irrespective of race, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics by law.