About us

The Yued Aboriginal Corporation ICN 9579 (YAC) is a newly created corporation and represents the traditional owners of the Yued region of the southwest of Western Australia. We work to manage native title benefits, while also advancing and strengthening Noongar culture, language, heritage, and society.

The opportunity

The YAC has an important role in the South West Native Title Settlement (The Settlement) with the Western Australian (WA) government. The Settlement resolves all native title claims in the southwest of the state in exchange for around $1.3 billion in land and other benefits for the Noongar people.

The role

You will be responsible for the protection of Noongar heritage by the management and coordination of the Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement process and other matters arising under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2021 (WA).

Key details of the position are:

• Full-time position – permanent.
• Annual salary between $98,035 – $110,276, depending on skills/experience, + superannuation.
• Location – West Perth.

On offer:

• Salary packaging (up to $15,899 a year, + meal/entertainment benefit of $2,650 a year).
• Generous leave entitlements including Christmas shut period credited as additional leave.
• Flexible work hours and Employee Assistance Program.

You will:

Leadership:

• Ensure best practice standards, policies and procedures are applied.
• Promote understanding of and respect for Noongar heritage, culture, attachment to land and contemporary issues in the wider community.

Project and programs:

• Contribute to the team’s delivery of the heritage requirements - including working with commercial proponents, and a variety of stakeholders to ensure Noongar/wider Aboriginal heritage values are understood, respected and that appropriate protocols are followed as afforded under legislation and lore.
• Contribute to the delivery of heritage protection and conservation programs including working with land managers and communities to enhance their understanding, compliance, and voluntary ability to protect and manage Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• Review and/or Prepare documents including reports, briefing papers, correspondence, submissions and advice on operational heritage and cultural issues.
• Contribute to investigation of compliance or enforcement activities under relevant legislation.
• Provide support to the Corporation (YAC) to improve heritage management including support and guidance to access information from georeferenced heritage management systems (GIS based) including State, Commonwealth, and bespoke Noongar information systems.
• Participate in the team’s business planning activities in line with strategic plans to build Local Area Coordination Services (LACHS), and contribute to development of operational budgets, corporate plans and grant requirements.
• Provide appropriate advice that requires cultural knowledge and experience in dealing with the sensitivities of Aboriginal cultural heritage matters pertaining to the Yued Aboriginal Corporation ILUA.
• Co-ordinate the research heritage-tracking spreadsheet; co-ordinate timely responses to activity notices; arrange and participate in survey selection meetings. Manage any follow-up action required in relation to survey or monitor team selection.
• Attend heritage surveys. liaise with government, mining companies, other proponents, anthropologists / archaeologists and consultants to obtain copies of finalised survey reports. Prepare reports on heritage matters for working parties and SWALSC management.
• Undertake such other duties as directed by the PLO.

Stakeholders:

• Liaise and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including state agencies, local authorities, and local government agencies.

Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualifications in an appropriate field
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, especially in a cross-cultural context, coupled with a demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively, clearly, and effectively with Aboriginal people.
• Ability to organise and coordinate work efficiently, to set priorities and to motivate others.
• Ability to work with government/non-government proponents, developers, and miners.
• Ability to manage and coordinate Heritage Protection with Aboriginal people.
• Understanding of Aboriginal issues, particularly those to do with heritage, native title, and other land matters, coupled with an understanding of the native title process, particularly in relation to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act (2021) processes.
• Experience in administrative procedures and community liaison, preferably in a cross-cultural context.
• Maturity and resilience.
• An understanding of the South West Settlement and the transition to a non-native title environment.
• Ability to undertake a demanding and complex work program independently and/or as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• At least 2 years’ experience in working in Heritage with an Aboriginal managed and/or focused organisation/department.

A copy of the position description is available on our website: https://yued.org.au/vacancies or attached below.