POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Cultural Heritage Manager
LOCATION: Warrnambool, Victoria
TERM: 1.0 FTE, Full-time, fixed term – 24 months
SALARY: $112,900 – $138,000 per annum + SGC
REPORTS TO: General Manager Biocultural Landscapes
THE ORGANISATION
The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) is a Registered Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate (RNTBC) established under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and registered as a corporation under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).
EMAC was established in 2011 following a positive Native Title consent determination by the Federal Court. This determination granted rights over an area known as PART B, spanning from Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island) in the south to Dunkeld in the north. It is shared with the Western Gunditjmara Native Title Holders, represented by the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
In March 2023, a second positive Native Title Determination expanded EMAC’s jurisdiction, covering an extended area from Yambuk to Aireys Inlet in the southwest, reaching Middle Creek and Ararat in the north, and returning south to Dunkeld.
Eastern Maar peoples are those descendants, including by adoption, of the following persons:
King of Port Fairy and Eliza; Old Jack (father of John Dawson); Charlie and Alice (parents of Albert Austin); Samuel Robinson and Mary Caramut; Lizzie (mother of Frank Clarke); Robert and Lucy (parents of Alice Dixon); Barney Minimalk; Nellie Whiturboin; Louisa (mother of William Rawlings) and Richard Sharp;
and who:
either identify as being from the eastern domain of the Maar-speaking people and are recognised as being from the eastern domain by the Eastern Maar people;
or otherwise identify as Maar, Gunditjmara, Tjap Wurrung, Peek Whurrung, Keeray Wooroong (Kirrae Whurrung), Kuurn Kopan Noot, Yarro Waetch (Tooram Tribe), Djargurd Wurrung, Gulidjan and/or Gadubanud and are recognised as being from the eastern domain by the Eastern Maar people.
EMAC is a formally recognized Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) responsible for protecting and managing cultural heritage. The RAP boundaries extend beyond the Native Title-recognized boundaries, including Winchelsea in the east and reaching the furthest point of Landsborough in the north.
As the representative body, EMAC advocates for the collective group, advancing their native title rights, protecting cultural heritage, providing policy advice, and leading key initiatives aligned with the rights, aspirations, and assertions of the EMAC community. They actively strive to enhance the cultural and economic capacity and independence of Eastern Maar citizens by pursuing and implementing their economic and social aspirations, notably through the Victorian Registered Aboriginal Party regime.
PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION
Reporting to the General Manager Biocultural Landscapes the Cultural Heritage Manager will oversee, lead, and manage EMAC’s Cultural Heritage branch. The Cultural Heritage Branch sits within the Biocultural Landscapes Division and has the responsibility for carrying out EMACs duties, powers and functions as accorded as a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) under the Aboriginal Heritage legislation, for the protection and management of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in the Eastern Maar Ancestral Estate for and on behalf of the Eastern Maar people. The position will manage the team that makes up this branch.
The core functions of the Branch include but are not limited to:
Evaluating Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs)
Assessing Cultural Heritage Permit applications
Development of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements (ACHLMAs)
Making decisions about Cultural Heritage Agreements
Providing advice on applications for interim or ongoing Protection Declarations
Entering into Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements with public land managers
Nominating Aboriginal intangible Heritage to the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register and managing Intangible Heritage Agreements
Overseeing compliance with conditions as set in CHMPs, ACHLMAs & Permits
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
KEY DUTIES OF THE POSITION INCLUDE:
Oversight of the Cultural Heritage Branch and technical support functions
Successfully oversight and coordinate EMAC’s Registered Aboriginal Party legislative responsibilities per the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
Oversight and support the curation, custody, and repatriation of Aboriginal cultural heritage material for the EMAC RAP area.
Undertake other designated administrative duties, and specific projects as directed by the CEO, Biocultural Landscapes General Manager.
In conjunction with EMAC finance Review EMAC RAP function fees and charges on an annual basis ensuring compliance with Aboriginal Heritage Act fee schedules and including investigating and analysing non-mandatory fee schedules and making changes in line with market determinants.
Assist EMAC in the pursuit of ongoing protection declarations for significant Aboriginal places within the EMAC RAP area.
Support in the development and implementation of the EMAC Cultural Landscape Strategy.
Oversight and Assist in the development of and lead in the overseeing of repatriated collections and/or items for cataloguing, safe storage and preservation.
Relationship building and maintenance
Provide leadership to archaeological peers in relationship building and understanding of EMAC policy and procedures and promoting EMAC values and objectives.
Represent EMAC and its RAP functioning at working groups, meetings and committees as required in relation to heritage, culture and environmental matters.
Provide strong, consistent, and supportive RAP functioning advice to the EMAC Board, Executive, additional EMAC staff, branches, and divisions and importantly EMAC community members where required or directed.
Establish and maintain extensive networks at the Local, State and National level including but not limited to Government, Heritage personnel, building/ maintenance contractors, other RAP’s.
Develop strong working relationships with EMAC members/non-member rights holders.
Field tasking support
Work in unison with the On Country Operations Manager to ensure the flow of upcoming fieldwork is jointly monitored and jobs are prioritised ensuring effective team coverage of all allocated field functions within the Eastern Maar Ancestral estate with an emphasis on responsive service and in compliance with any statutory requirements.
Mandatory reporting
Oversight and support the RAP Operations reports ensuring inclusion of all required information including working closely with EMAC finance on insertion of financial information and overall ensuring submission timeframes are met.
Attend, when required, inception meetings with Cultural Heritage Advisers, alongside the EMAC Cultural Heritage Manager, in relation to Cultural Heritage Management Plans and fieldwork.
Team leadership, community Support, Coaching and training
Encourage and support the professional development of the team.
Communicate regularly with the team both formally and informally.
Identify and develop capacity-building opportunities for Eastern Maar citizens and staff including mentoring and training to broaden the skill base of the Eastern Maar community on cultural heritage.
Actively contribute to and support a positive, open, delivery-focused culture that values and supports people, and is based on collaboration, accountability, and trust.
Provide support, guidance, coaching, leadership and empowerment to the team including constructive feedback through regular supervision including establishing work plans/goal setting and performance reviews to ensure goals are being achieved.
Policy and process development and opportunity
Develop policies and processes that aim to strengthen and support the efficient management of the EMAC Cultural Heritage branch functions in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and best practices in cultural heritage management.
Analyse, Collect, prepare and provide accurate information, reports, correspondence, and other documents such as key metrics and insights in accordance with delegations and reporting timeframes as required.
Be aware and adhere to The Privacy Act, OH & S Legislation and other relevant legislations.
GENERAL
Be aware and adhere to EMAC Policy and Procedure manuals.
Be aware and participate in staff performance reviews.
Attend all mandatory training as required.
Perform other duties as may be directed or implied from time to time.
Ensure compliance with legal and contractual requirements of the corporation and Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Undertake general administration tasks including, raising purchase orders, filing, tracking invoices and maintaining registers
The incumbent requires the ability to travel regularly for work-related purposes. A current Victorian driver’s licence is essential.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential Criteria
Qualified Heritage Advisor as defined by the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
Tertiary qualification in either Archaeology (preferred), Anthropology or a related field.
Experience in the registration of Aboriginal places on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.
Ability to use Geographical Information Systems and Global Positioning System technology.
Experience in developing and/or evaluating cultural heritage management plans and cultural heritage permits, preparation of clear accurate and professional documentation to support executive decision-making.
Proven planning, problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to work through issues with moderate complexity and guide and/or coach others in the resolution of problems.
Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills to engage with, influence and build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
A current Victorian driver’s license is essential.
Desirable Criteria (Value Added)
Knowledge of Eastern Maar people, Country, culture, values, and customs and experience working with the Eastern Maar people, community and key organisations and stakeholder groups.
Experience working with Aboriginal people, including a demonstrated ability to communicate and engage sensitively and effectively with Traditional-Owner-led communities and organisations.
Demonstrated understanding of the regulatory framework in which EMAC operates.
OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Offers of employment can only be made once all required probity checks have been completed. These include:
Reference checks.
The appointment of the successful applicant will be made subject to a satisfactory national police history check. A clear Police Check must be conducted within the last three months.
The incumbent requires the ability to travel regularly for work-related purposes. A current Victorian driver’s licence is essential.
Proficiency in the use of computer and telecommunications technology.
A request to conduct probity checks does not guarantee that an offer of employment will be made.
Working for Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation:
What sets us apart…
Flexible hybrid working arrangements available.
Salary Packaging (or Salary Sacrificing) benefits are available in accordance with the ATO-approved rates for Public Benevolent Institutions, currently up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment benefits up to $2,650 per year.
Paid Christmas break in addition to 4 weeks annual leave
Employee Assistance Program
A friendly and supportive culture
Professional Development Opportunities
HOW TO APPLY
To apply please include in your application a CV/resume and cover letter that addresses why you are the best candidate for this position and how your background, experience and skills align with the Key Selection Criteria.
Please ensure your full name is on all attachments and email your application to Ms Bansri Dave, bansri.dave@easternmaar.com.au
Closing date for applications: COB Sunday 06 April 2025, until 11:59 PM.
If you have any queries about the role, please email bansri.dave@easternmaar.com.au
Appointment of the successful applicant will be made subject to a satisfactory national police history check.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply, but this is not a designated/identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appointment.
Read a full description of the position at www.easternmaar.com.au/news
