Reconciliation Officer – First Nations Inclusion

• Employment Status: Permanent, Part Time
• Days & Hours of Work: Flexible 22.8 hrs per week
• Competitive Salary: Band 6 – $98,867.71 pro rata + 11.5% superannuation
• Location: Corporate Centre in Sandringham, with the flexibility to work from home

About Us:

We are a passionate organisation, connected in our shared goal to be ‘sector leading’ in all that we do for the community and each other. Home to over 100,000 residents, Bayside City Council’s enduring purpose is building extraordinary places, thriving communities, and better futures.

Bayside Council is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing an accessible and safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, diversity, and inclusion. Our organisational strategy is made up of three priorities and we consider these in everything we do: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Customer Experience and Results Matter.

We want everyone to be as proud of what we are achieving – and excited about our future – as we are, and we are committed to working together to achieve this.

Our Opportunity:

Working closely with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and in collaboration with Traditional Owner Organisations and Council departments, you will continue to lead the delivery of Council’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and coordinate a community advisory committee.

Bayside City Council is a unique municipality that was originally inhabited by the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. Bayside City Council is home to significant cultural landmarks, including Dendy Street Beach, known to be the site of inner Melbourne’s largest Aboriginal midden, two ochre pit sites in Black Rock and Sandringham, as well as the Bayside Coastal Indigenous Trail.

We recognise the significant responsibility to enable self-determination, be accountable to Traditional Owners and provide opportunities to strengthen First Peoples’ connection to Country. We are committed to creating a culturally safe environment, where individuals feel safe, valued, and able to celebrate their culture, and spiritual and belief systems.

Our reconciliation achievements to date, include the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan and establishment of Bayside’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee.

About the Role:

The key purpose of the Reconciliation Officer role is to lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), provide strategic support and leadership in all aspects of cultural and linguistic diversity and inclusion and ensure the effective representation of the Indigenous community in organisational planning, policy, and service delivery.

You will be responsible for:

• Coordinate, develop, deliver and review actions in the Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Convene and coordinate the external and internal RAP Advisory Committees.
• Develop and maintain strong, consultative, collaborative and sustainable relationships between the organisation, Indigenous residents and Traditional Owner organisations.
• Deliver events and activities to promote understanding of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
• Build networks and develop relationships with other Indigenous community groups and organisations.
• Represent the organisation on local Aboriginal network meetings and other local, state and Commonwealth Government forums.
• Provide advice and feedback to departments on Reconciliation and Traditional Owner considerations.
• Facilitate connections with external Traditional Owner groups, specialists and community organisations.
• Present written and verbal reports to staff members and leaders on RAP related issues and topics.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Previous experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Traditional Owner Organisations to design and implement protocols and programs to enhance community well-being.
• Experience leading community consultation.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and knowledge of First Nations’ affairs with the ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders.

Mandatory pre-employment requirements:

• Be willing to undergo and complete a satisfactory criminal history check
• Provide or obtain an employment-based Working with Children check
• Current Victorian driver’s licence

What we can offer you in return:

• A work life/balance through flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Generous leave provisions, including accrued time off, parental leave, three days of wellbeing leave per year, cultural and ceremonial leave, gender affirmation leave, plus the ability to purchase up to four weeks additional leave per year
• Dedicated Staff Wellbeing programs, events and gym membership discounts
• Learning and development opportunities so our people can grow and thrive
• A Parkland surrounded office that is only short 500m stroll to the beach
• Free onsite staff parking plus hybrid vehicles that employees can book for work related travel
• A Green Money program, that rewards our staff for taking simple everyday steps to a more substantiable and climate aware living

If you are ready to be part of our incredible organisation, and you think this role is the right fit for you, then we look forward to finding out more about you and what you would bring to this role.

How to apply:

• To discover more about the role and responsibilities review the Position Description on Bayside City Council Careers page
• Provide a cover letter responding to the Key Selection Criteria and what has motivated you to apply for this role
• Click Apply Now to submit your application
• If you require reasonable adjustment at any point throughout the recruitment process, then please do let us know by contacting the listed Hiring Manager

Please note – Shortlisting will commence prior to the closing date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity or have any question, please contact Josh Connell, Community Wellbeing Coordinator on 03 9599 4712 or via email [email protected] using the subject line: Reconciliation Officer (First Nations Inclusion) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Bayside City Council prides itself on its values of Respect Each Other, Own It, Work Together and Find Better Ways.

Bayside City Council proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging as well as all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community members with us today.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable, diverse and socially inclusive work environment. We actively encourage applicants with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this opportunity.