This is a designated position established as a special measure under Section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

Organisation overview

The Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BGLC) represents Traditional Owners from the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Nations (WJJWJ Peoples), who were recognised in a 2005 Native Title Consent Determination, the first in south-eastern Australia.

We are the Prescribed Body Corporate for the WJJWJ Peoples claim area, as outlined in the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993, giving us legal authority and obligations to work on behalf of the WJJWJ Traditional Owners.

BGLC is also a Registered Aboriginal Party, as appointed by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

In October 2022 BGLC, on behalf of the WJJWJ Peoples, entered into four Funding, Land and Natural Resource Agreements with the State of Victoria as part of an Expanded Settlement Package, recognising and giving effect to their Traditional Owner rights under the Victorian Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010.

BGLC is therefore recognised both federally and by the State of Victoria as the only authorised body in the region with the legal and cultural authority to speak, and make decisions, on behalf of the WJJWJ Peoples to protect, manage and promote their cultural landscapes, values and heritage.

Caring for Country

We are part of our Country, and our Country is part of us. Bunjil the creator, made the land, waterholes, animals and plants and gave Wotjobaluk Peoples the responsibility to look after Country and culture and keep it healthy and strong. Country heals us to our dreaming stories, to our ancestors and spirits.

Position Summary

BGLC are seeking an Aboriginal Water Officer & Landcare for Country Facilitator (AWO/LCF) to join our team immediately. This position will play a key role in supporting WJJWJ Peoples aspirations regarding Natural Resource Management (NRM), specifically focusing on water and Landcare activities.

The primary function of this role is to expand BGLC’s capacity to communicate effectively with the numerous Landcare Groups currently operating across WJJWJ Country, and administer these relationships.

The position is funded by the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA) Landcare for Country Program. This is a pilot program, with the goal to build Landcare facilitator capacity in a staged approach over 4 years:

1. The role will sit within BGLC’s Aboriginal Water Team & initially provide assistance and support to current AWO staff and projects.
2. Gaining experience from these activities, and an understanding of the people and organisations involved as project partners, the AWO/LCF will focus their efforts on AWO projects involving Landcare Groups.
3. Using these initial contacts and the AWO & Landcare networks, the AWO/LCF will continue to increase their knowledge of the location, personnel and activities of different Landcare Groups and strengthen the relationships between these groups & BGLC.
4. Building on these relationships to identify places and activities on WJJWJ Country where Landcare Groups can partner with BGLC to conduct NRM activities and Care for Country in a way that is culturally respectful and appropriate.

Operating in accordance with the objectives of BGLC’s ‘Growing What is Good’ Country Plan, as well as DELWP’s Landcare for Country Program and Water, Country and Community Program (see Supporting Documentation), the position will support BGLC’s goals to connect productively with other agencies and authorities to drive the delivery of a range of water and Landcare projects, activities and processes focused on the natural and cultural health of the ecosystem, within the Wimmera/Mallee/Grampians regions of Western Victoria.

The AWO/LCF role will be fully supported within BGLC’s On Country Operations Division as well as by DELWP’s Aboriginal Water Unit and the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (WCMA), including practical and technical advice and guidance.

Area & Performance Responsibilities

Project support

Projects and programs currently being undertaken by BGLC’s Aboriginal Water Team, which the AWO/LCF will be expected to provide immediate assistance and support include:

• Dimboola Ranch-Billabong environmental rehabilitation project;
• Regional Catchment Strategy reviews and engagement with local Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs): Wimmera CMA, Glenelg-Hopkins CMA, North Central CMA and Mallee CMA;
• Barenggi Gadyin (Wimmera River) water and frontage management, particularly sections listed as a Heritage River, in partnership with Hindmarsh Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council, GWM Water, Parks Victoria; Wimmera CMA and Mallee CMA;
• The Glenelg River Cultural Flows Project (2018-21);
• DEECA-supported Aboriginal Waters Officers Network (AWON);

Projects and programs currently being undertaken by BGLC’s On Country Operations Division in collaboration with Landcare Groups, which the AWO/LCF will be expected to assist with and learn from include:

• Cultural burning, seed collection and education with the Black Range Landcare Group;
• Activities increasing awareness of cultural heritage and values with the Upper Catchment Landcare organisations;
• Cultural burning, revegetation and habitat restoration within Snape Reserve and the Dimboola Common in partnership with Snape Reserve Committee of Management, Hindmarsh Landcare Network and Trust for Nature; and
• Pest plant and animal control activities and revegetation trials with the Wimmera River Improvement Committee at the Wopert-Bungundilar Cultural Place.

Engagement

• Liaise with WJJWJ Peoples to understand, support and advance their aspirations for culturally appropriate NRM on WJJWJ Country as outlined in the ‘Growing What is Good’ Country Plan and Landcare for Country Program;
• Contribute to community and other promotional events to educate and raise awareness of the WJJWJ Peoples’ interests in NRM;
• Support the activities and function of the WJJWJ Full Group in relation to NRM matters, including attendance at Full Group meetings if appropriate or requested;
• Strengthen networks for promoting opportunities for WJJWJ & other Traditional Owners (TOs) in Aboriginal Water programs and Landcare Group projects with other stakeholders and land managers by facilitating cooperation, information sharing and partnership;
• Provide leadership and mentoring to WJJWJ TO community members, including young people, with the aim of increasing community capacity and self-determination in NRM;
• Identify gaps in current Landcare Group projects and management regimes and, where possible, seek to engage WJJWJ & other TOs in filling these gaps;
• Interact and facilitate collaborations between Landcare Groups and BGLC’s On Country Operations Division (which includes the NRM and Cultural Heritage Management Units);
• Engage with the wider AWO and Landcare Group networks through attendance at occasional meetings, such as the Horsham Landcare Steering Committee, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, practices and progress; and
• Working in conjunction with BGLC’s On Country Operations Division, provide information to Landcare Groups on NRM best practice with regards to cultural practices and awareness when engaging with TO organisations and individuals.

Team support

• Contribute to the effective administration of BGLC including maintaining good electronic and paper filing, and other duties as requested by the NRM and On Country Operations Managers.
• Assist the NRM Unit in the development and implementation of projects which deliver benefits in pursuit of BGLC’s ‘Growing What is Good’ Country Plan as well as other relevant plans (e.g. those of regional and state-level partners)
• Support other On Country Operations members by assisting them when needed;
• Report to the NRM Manager any risks or issues related to the Estates and assets of the WJJWJ Peoples noted whilst carrying out work duties; and
• Provide other TO groups and project partners with NRM information when required to support the development of joint projects.

Planning & reporting

• Assist and support the NRM and On Country Operations Managers when they are developing and reviewing program, project and work plans to ensure that these documents reflect the goals of the WJJWJ Peoples and current environmental realities;
• Attend regular NRM team, On Country Operations team and all staff meetings to inform BGLC staff of work undertaken by AWO & LFC programs including achievements and lessons learnt;
• Maintain weekly engagement register on program and project activities;
• Assist in annual evaluation review and reporting of Aboriginal Water Team management activities; and
• Provide project and organisational information in accordance with the requirements of the Landcare for Country Program.

Other duties

• As agreed for the specific activity or project and as directed by the NRM and On Country Operations Managers.

Delegation

• As per the Delegation of Authority

Key Selection Criteria

Experience and attributes

• Good communication skills and willingness to learn;
• Experience in NRM, Cultural Heritage or other relevant fieldwork would be beneficial but not essential;
• Demonstrated interest, knowledge or experience in Landcare Group activities; waterways management; TO capacity-building programs; and/or delivering projects;
• Demonstrated experience or willingness to learn how to prepare written reports and carry out monitoring and evaluation programs to fixed deadlines;
• Demonstrated interest, knowledge or experience establishing, building, and maintaining positive relationships with staff colleagues, TO community members, partner organisation representatives including local community groups (such as Landcare Groups) and State and Local government agencies,
• Willingness to work with individuals and organisations to plan and support events and activities;
• Ability to communicate effectively, including facilitating collaboration between team members, teams and organisations, and providing information or advice where beneficial;
• Ability to follow and respect management instructions and comply with BGLC policies;
• Commitment to achieve results through self-motivation and management, and be willing to adapt to changing needs;
• Familiarity with WJJWJ Peoples’ culture and aspirations as articulated in the ‘Growing What is Good’ Country Plan, and experience working and communicating productively with TO communities;
• Reasonable physical fitness and ability to undertake fieldwork; and
• Basic computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office in particular.

Occupational health and safety responsibilities

In the context of OHS policies, procedures, training, and instruction, as detailed in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, employees are responsible for ensuring they:

• Follow reasonable instructions;
• Cooperate with the employer and report safety breaches, participate in investigations, and implement corrective actions according to applicable procedures and policies; and
• At all times, take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others in the workplace.

Conditions of Employment

• Must have a Victorian Drivers Licence; and
• Ability to obtain positive National Police and Working with Children checks.

Any enquiries may be directed to Benjamin Trimble via email [email protected] using the subject line: Aboriginal Water Officer & Landcare for Country Facilitator enquiry via EthicalJobs or phone 0408 130 639 ; please see the attached position description (below).