The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced and community driven First Nations Program Officer with strong stakeholder liaison and communication skills to join our First Nations Programs team in this full-time, ongoing APS Level 5 position.

As one of Sydney’s most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future.

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at sea.museum.

The purpose of this position is to shape and share First Nations stories with a national audience. The First Nations Programs Officer will review, research, design, develop and deliver programs that ensure quality and accessibility for diverse audiences. Collaborating with the Manager, Indigenous Programs the officer will manage improvement initiatives through content development and public programming.

This role includes engaging with First Nations communities nationwide to establish effective outreach and exhibition programs, liaising with internal and external stakeholders and providing best practice advice to achieve strategic goals. This position will contribute to the Museum’s priorities by sharing the national maritime story, creating engaging experiences for visitors, supporting reconciliation while contributing to the Museum’s role as a trusted voice and custodian.

This position is an Aboriginal and Torres Islander identified position. This is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under Clause 26 of the Public Service Commissioner’s Direction 2016.

Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is ongoing, a merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18 months.

Key Accountabilities
Under limited direction, this position is responsible for delivering the following functions:

• Research, develop and design new innovative First Nations programs for diverse audiences (both internal and external) in consultation with the Education and Knowledge team’s as well as other First Nations Museum staff.
• Contribute to innovative digital and exhibition resources which are culturally appropriate and respectful.
• Engage with internal and external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, cultural groups and relevant historical and scientific communities to ensure programs are culturally sensitive and robust.
• Ensure the First Nations education programs and resources are relevant, innovative and engaging and can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse target audiences.
• Manage a viable delivery model for First Nations education programs (including digitally) for schools and other audiences.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of First Nations outreach programs to support the Museum’s regional priorities.
• Provide advice on the Museum’s education programs to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives are included in the learning material and resources.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a willingness to share this knowledge with colleagues to create increased understanding in a cultural institution setting.
2. Demonstrated understanding of cultural protocols and sensitivities needed in institution setting.
3. Demonstrated experience developing and evaluating First Nations resources and working with First Nations communities toward the development of content.
4. Demonstrated experience delivering programs to a range of audiences.
5. Proven capacity to work collaboratively and contribute to organisational need.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required
Mandatory:

• Verifiable examples of recent experience working with Sydney Aboriginal community and/or Sydney recognised cultural authorities such as land councils.
• A good working Knowledge of Indigenous Programs in Art Galleries and Museums in greater Sydney and ongoing Indigenous programming at other National cultural institutions.

Desirable:

• Experience with artistic or cultural institutions.
• Experience with or knowledge of digital program development.
• Experience in managing external educators, volunteers.
• Good understanding of contemporary trends and developments in education and learning technology, policy and funding initiatives.
• Willingness to work after hours, on weekends and travel to support the outreach programs.
• Flexibility to work in dynamic work environment.

When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please provide a written application addressing each Selection Criteria. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.

In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.

Applications Close: 11:30pm AEST, Sunday, 13 April 2025. No Applications will be accepted by mail or email.

Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for short listing by the Selection Committee. As part of the selection process the selection committee may invite candidates to undertake psychometric test, you should advise the selection committee if you have any special needs. Psychometric tests may be used as the initial shortlisting test or later in the selection process. Some tests are very short while others may take one or more hours.

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability and people from every cultural and linguistic background. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. Applications may be accepted from Australian permanent residents who are in the process of acquiring Australian citizenship. All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.