Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.  

• Casual seasonal (May – October) contractor (1 – 5 programs per season, 8 to 11 days in length with possible consecutive programs).
• Based in Nhulunbuy NE Arnhem Land and surrounding Homelands. 
• Travel from the closest capital city, accommodation and food all included.
• Unique cross-cultural workplace working closely with Yolŋu Communities and Young people from around Australia.

About the organisation

• Provide two-way job pathways and ongoing mentorship for First Nations cultural educators.
• Create opportunities for First Nations knowledge guided by Elders to pave the way forward through two-way education.
• Empower future leaders with open minds and hearts who will ripple change through their home communities, through actioning true reconciliation and care for Country.
• We are a not-for-profit Aboriginal Corporation & Charity.

Culture Collegeku Gakal : Our Vision

We are changing our future for tomorrow through the hearts of the younger generation. Bringing Yolŋu and Ŋapaki (non-Indigenous) together in balance to listen, learn and grow through Country as a teacher. We are guided by the wisdom of our Elders, who are directed through the cultural vision and knowledge of the Djalkiri (Yolŋu foundation).

Culture Collegeku Dhäwu - Our Story

As a Mittji (team) of First Nations and Ŋapaki (non-Indigenous) educators from across Australia, we are coming together to connect to each other and the participants to the diversity of First Nations knowledge across Australia and beyond. "In coming together, we are weaving a mat." (Djaprirri Mununggirritj - Culture College Director). Woven into the mat are many colours, all connected to make a strong foundation full of knowledge—this is Country. What colours do you weave into the very fabric that is Country?

"In us connecting to ancient sounds of our Country, our voices are also echoing within the four winds, the north, south, east and west coming together.Accompanying us by our language, our music and our storytelling that connects us all to one common ground. As our theme is always Country as a Teacher, this is a very powerful theme on its own, representing who we are as a people from different walks of life, languages and tribes and what is of us in to heal Country."

(Djaprirri Mununggirritj - Culture College Director)

Rrambaŋi Djäma - Working Together

Since we started operation in 2015, our programs and our Miṯtji (team) have grown. Each year, we employ 50+ Yolŋu cultural educators from across Northeast Arnhem Land and approximately 30+ First Nations and Ŋapaki (non-Indigenous) mentors and outdoor educators to bridge First Nations knowledge into the hearts and hands of the younger generation. We are a First Nations and ŋapaki (non-Indigenous) Miṯtji (team) coming together to connect, learn, grow and share through shared responsibility, humility, openness and patience.

Reporting relationships

Mentors report directly to Culture College Arnhem Land Aboriginal Corporation Coordinators. Program coordinators report to the Operations manager. Operations Manager and Education Manager report to CEO. CEO reports to the CC board of directors.

A Unique role within the Miṯtji (team)

As Miṯtji, we work within an ecosystem where each action relies upon another to work together/ rrambaŋi djäma.

As a mentor, you have a unique role within this ecosystem. You will be drawing on your own story, self-awareness, skills and experiences to support participants in getting the most out of the experience, as they are the next generation of custodians.

The more participants receive, understand, and are inspired by throughout the immersion, the stronger the roots are for creating greater balance between First Nations and Non-Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and supporting a united and connected path forward.

As a mentor, you bridge the school, Culture College Miṯtji and operations together, significantly impacting the quality of experience the participants have. Learning First Nations knowledge and participating in culturally immersive experiences are exciting and rewarding.

It's important to note that we are all learning. We are all on a journey in this space of First Nations and non-Indigenous relations to develop a shared dialogue and a learning platform of mutual respect, support, and understanding. Mentors must always maintain sight of the bigger picture- to support the participants as mentors on this journey with us.

Mentors also support First Nations educators in sharing cultural lessons and providing a crucial link to ensure the content can relate, is tangible and enduring for the lives of the young people coming through our programs. Your role is to nurture and support the growth of young people in this intercultural space through group mentoring and supporting student experience.

Position description

• Group mentors work in either Midawarr or Homeland Immersions.
• Midawarr Immersion is a 6-day base camp at the Gulkula site with rotational cultural workshops run by Yolŋu. Midawarr is an extensive program catering to an entire year group of up to 180 students.
• Homeland Immersion caters for smaller groups of up to 32 students camping on traditional Yolŋu lands at remote outstations.
• This role involves working long hours in tropical environments.
• You will be required to manual four-wheel drive vehicles on unsealed roads, carting gear with trailers to remote locations.
• You have a duty of care to students and are responsible for the group's safety and comfort.
• You must be able to take the initiative and respond promptly to first aid and emergencies to the level of your training.
• Your role is to be flexible and adapt appropriately to continual program and logistic changes.
• You are to supervise students and their safety during all activities alongside school staff.
• Any time away from the students during program time is communicated between Culture College staff and the school to make sure supervision of the students is maintained. The group mentor will liaise with their teachers and convey messages promptly to update them about program delivery and support them with managing students.
• Problem-solving and being solution-focused are critical in this work environment.
• Group cohesion and reflection processes that promote connection to self, community, and country will form the basis of your group circle time and complement and nurture the entire program.
• Mentors will work closely with Yolŋu cultural educators to maintain a supportive and culturally safe environment. You will support with setting up and at times co-delivering workshops to bridge understanding for students during lessons and within reflection time.
• You will need to learn to balance Yolŋu time with the needs of the group you are working with. We must embrace Yolŋu time as we are immersed within Yolŋu land and culture. However, we also need to balance this with our participant's level of engagement and school expectations.

Duties and responsibilities

• To be involved in all aspects of the operation such as equipment maintenance, pre and post-trip tasks, setting up tents, heavy lifting, 4WD, cooking, cleaning, liaising with First Nations community and educators, shopping for food, packing trailers and other tasks relevant at the time.
• Work long hours (weekends/nights) to deliver programs (6:30am-9:30pm).
• Work in varied weather conditions
• Manage tasks, participants, and responsibilities autonomously
• Mentors are under the direction and guidance of the Coordinators and or Operations manager.
• Coordinate and respond to emergency situations to the level of your training.
• Manage the safety of participants. Specifically related to heat stress, crocodiles, buffalo, 4WD and Jellyfish in remote environments
• Actively care for Culture College assets, including collecting them after programs and cleaning and storing them appropriately.
• Uphold Culture College's child protection and protective behaviours policy when working with young people.
• Make informed decisions and balance the needs of the program and the schools attending with the needs of Cultural educators.
• Work fully intending to support the students we work with beyond and secondary to your own personal learning/story.
• Learn Yolŋu Culture and language to support the young people on their journey to understanding Yolŋu worldviews.
• Liaise with Yolŋu to plan effective, safe and mutually agreeable program elements.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students from differing demographics.
• Deliver high-quality, informative, reflective, enjoyable, and safe outdoor education experiences.
• A passion and demonstrated experience working at the Cultural interface with First Nations and Non-Indigenous people.
• Willingness to learn, listen and immerse yourself within First Nations Culture.
• Ability to cope within a high-pressure work environment, manage your well-being needs and seek support from management if required.
• Ability to work in a team environment with a diverse range cultural backgrounds and personality types.
• Professionally engages with school students and teachers to support their learning and provides a cultural bridge of understanding for application at home.
• Uphold the Culture College Vision and Mission to walk together as First Nations and Non-First Nations through the pathway of healing and reconciliation.
• Deliver and facilitate reflective sessions with students to help them unpack their experiences in a safe and supported environment.

Essential Requirements:

• Wilderness First Aid Certificate
• Full Driver's Licence- Manual (must be able to drive manual)
• Current 'Working with Children Check'
• Flexibility and adaptability
• H Endorsement (to drive commercial passenger vehicles) or equivalent in your state
• Working with school students in outdoor environments
• Driving a manual 4WD vehicle on rough non- sealed surfaces.
• Humility
• Role model best practice in the outdoors and respectful, transparent relationships with Yolŋu.

Willing to obtain

• Light ridged licensing
• NT H-endorsement licensing.
• Mental Health First aid
• Bronze medallion or equivalent.
• Anaphylaxis certificate training.

Child safety

• Uphold CC child protection policy and laws.
• Revisit key working principles with staff regularly.
• CC has zero tolerance of child abuse
• Follow mandatory reporting processes.

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.