Aboriginal Water Officer - Identified

We are a Traditional Owner organisation that represent the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation. We aim to preserve and protect the sacred lands and waterways of our ancestors, their places, traditional cultural practices, and stories.

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) is a not-for-profit Aboriginal Corporation that represents the Bunurong Traditional Owners and community. BLCAC was formed in the late 1990s by a small group of Bunurong Elders and warriors to provide representation on Bunurong Country, particularly around cultural heritage management and protection. The corporation was registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) in 2000 and since then, membership has grown to over 300 members.

BLCAC is the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for and on behalf of Bunurong People. We have overcome many obstacles on the way, but Bunurong People are now recognised as the Traditional Owners of their lands and waters across greater Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, and the Bass Coast.

BLCAC members descend from the First People of the coastal areas around Port Phillip Bay (Narrm), with a provenance dating back well over 40,000 years. Our community has survived over200 years of kidnappings, slavery, massacres, poisonings, imprisonment, disease, and broken promises. We were removed from Country, our language silenced, but the survivors continued to tell and retell the stories of Bunjil and the Lore, family, dispossession, loss but continued to dreaming that one day we would come together again and restore the Bunurong community on our Traditional Lands.

Primary Objective

Support the management and restoration of waterways while integrating and respecting Traditional Owner cultural values of water.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of Aboriginal waterways to evaluate their cultural, environmental, and social significance.
• Collaborate with Traditional Owners to integrate cultural knowledge into water management strategies.
• Manage and restore water-related landscapes, addressing issues such as erosion and riparian zone degradation.

Key Accountabilities

• Perform assessments of Aboriginal waterways to identify and document their cultural, environmental, and social significance.
• Work closely with Traditional Owners to incorporate cultural knowledge and practices into water management strategies.
• Oversee and execute programs aimed at managing and reducing invasive plant and animal species within waterway ecosystems.
• Ensure the efficient use of resources while adhering to environmental regulations and integrating Traditional Owner cultural practices.
• Plan and implement native vegetation planting initiatives and waterway restoration projects to enhance both ecological health and cultural importance.
• Track and assess the effectiveness of revegetation efforts, waterway health, and cultural outcomes.
• Maintain and improve water-related landscapes by addressing erosion, restoring riparian zones, and enhancing habitats.
• Carry out regular inspections and maintenance of water systems and surrounding land areas.
• Maintain and enhance partnerships with government, community and other stakeholders to ensure a positive and productive view of BLCAC.
• Meeting with local community groups and other external stakeholders to engage with the Strong Country works.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and regulatory standards.
• Ensure all information is recorded to achieve compliance with all organisational policies and procedure and legislative requirements.
• Ensuring organisation and community confidentiality is maintained.
• Utilise data and program analysis to provide accurate and meaningful reports.
• Provide statistical and other reports to meet organisational, stakeholder and statutory requirements including analysis, reporting of results and supporting recommendations.
• Comply with organisational policies and procedures to model best practice behavior and performance to all staff.
• Compliance with and understanding of EEO Legislation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office applications
• Clear Working with Children Check, National Police History Check
• Current VIC Drivers Licence
• Experience working with Traditional Owner organisations and communities.
• Project Firefighter ticket and/or other experience with fire management practices (opportunity to learn on the job)
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Water Management, Environmental Protection (or equivalent) and/or relevant field experience
• Agvet Chemical User Permit (opportunity to learn on the job)
• Chainsaw Licence (opportunity to learn on the job)
• 4x4 driving and recovery experience (opportunity to learn on the job)

Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Aboriginality is essential. Bunurong applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience in aboriginal Community Engagement
• Demonstrated working experience and knowledge of Working on Country
• Organisational skills and capacity to prioritise competing demands.
• Effective conflict resolution skills, negotiation, mediation and decision making skills.
• Highly innovative and the willingness to assist the organisation achieve its objectives

Why Join Us?

At BLCAC we are committed to building a strong Aboriginal workforce. Bunurong applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, and we are dedicated to providing a culturally safe and supportive workplace.

All our employees benefit from:

• A strong, culturally safe team environment
• On-the-job learning and mentoring to build skills and confidence
• Access to cultural learning and professional development opportunities
• Supportive leadership across the organisation
• Career pathways that recognise and value community knowledge as well as technical skills

In addition, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be part of an organisation that values culture, community and opportunity
• Support funding that enables meaningful community programs and outcomes
• Work in a collaborative and purpose-driven environment
• Contribute to sustainable projects and long-term community impact
• Be part of a values-driven organisation committed to continuous improvement

Join Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation as our Grants Officer and play a key role in securing funding and supporting sustainable, community-led outcomes.