POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Sea Country Coordinator
LOCATION: Warrnambool, Victoria
TERM: 1.0 FTE, 6 months, Full-time
SALARY: $80,000 to $90,000 per annum, plus super
REPORTS TO: Sea Country Manager

Direct Reports: 2 - Sea Country Guardians

THE ORGANISATION

The Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) requires that, following a native title determination, native title holders establish a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) to manage and protect their rights and interests. These corporations must incorporate under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) and register with the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT). Once registered, they become a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC).

Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) was established in 2011 as a PBC following a positive consent determination by the Federal Court, covering an area known as PART B—from Deen Maar (Lady Julia Percy Island) to Dunkeld—shared with the Western Gunditjmara People, represented by Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

In 2023, a second determination expanded EMAC’s jurisdiction from Yambuk to Aireys Inlet, reaching Middle Creek and Ararat, and looping south to Dunkeld.

EMAC is a formally recognised Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP), with responsibilities for protecting and managing cultural heritage across a broader area extending to Winchelsea and Landsborough.

As the representative body for Eastern Maar citizens, EMAC leads the advancement of native title rights and interests, cultural heritage protection, high-quality policy advice, and initiatives aligned with the inherent rights, aspirations, and independence of its people.

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

The Sea Country Coordinator will supervise and manage the Sea Country Guardians, enhancing their capacity to effectively undertake priority work on Sea Country, including on-water capabilities. This role supports the Sea Country Manager in developing and implementing our strategic and operational plans for Sea Country.

The Coordinator will collaborate with the Sea Country Manager and Guardians to ensure that Eastern Maar assertions, rights, cultural knowledge, and practices are integrated, adopted, and embedded by state and federal governments, regulators, industry, researchers, and other stakeholders. This includes managing proposals for the marine environment, such as proposed offshore wind developments.

The incumbent will contribute to programs and projects aimed at strengthening Eastern Maar’s capacity to care for Sea Country. This includes establishing a Sea Country Guardian program to increase the participation of Eastern Maar Citizens.

The Sea Country branch works collaboratively with other EMAC divisions within the Biocultural Landscapes Division, including Healthy Country, On Country, and Cultural Heritage.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key duties include:

Staff management: Effectively supervise Sea Country Guardians, including training, development, knowledge and skills transfer.

Collaborative planning and coordination: Work closely with the Biocultural Landscapes Division and the Sea Country Manager to assist with planning and coordination of works across Sea Country.

Strategic Prioritisation: Support the Sea Country Manager to develop, with community, board and staff input, agreed and prioritised priority focus areas for EMAC’s Sea Country strategic and operational planning, including key areas and species of cultural significance.

Community Engagement and Development: With the Sea Country Manager, lead community engagement and development of Eastern Maar’s Sea Country Plan and related plans, or position statements.

Cultural Inclusion and Values Preservation: Promote the inclusion of Eastern Maar values in sea country planning and management. Increase understanding of tangible and intangible cultural values on land and sea country, whilst maintaining cultural intellectual property and data sovereignty.

Support events and opportunities to provide for reconnection of the community with the sea country. Identify values, concerns and interests around current and future management, and promote involvement from Traditional Owners.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Support the establishment/continuation of key relationships with a range of stakeholders, including government, non-government organisations, other Traditional Owner Corporations, and universities. Ensure collaboration aligns with EMAC priorities and way of working, to achieve positive country and cultural outcomes for EMAC rights holders.

Provide advice on opportunities, challenges, and issues related to the management of Sea Country within the EMAC ancestral estate.

Support the Sea Country Manager in engaging with and responding to offshore wind/energy proponents, state and federal governments, Vic Grid, and other stakeholders, acting as a point of contact for the views of the Eastern Maar community.

Key Selection Criteria - Essential

A genuine desire to work on promoting Eastern Maar values and assertions relating to sea country.

Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders, including management, government bodies, and community members.

Proven ability to show initiative, work collaboratively, prioritize work requirements, consult appropriately, and respond to direction.

Excellent time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple Wficial outcomes.

Proven planning, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to work through moderately complex issues and guide or coach others in resolving problems.

Qualifications and/or experience in land and/or sea management.

Key Selection Criteria - Desirable

Strong understanding of the importance of Country to Traditional Owners, recognizing the Eastern Maar Peoples as the Traditional Owners of the south-west region of Victoria.

Ability to communicate respectfully, sensitively, and effectively with Eastern Maar citizens, as well as all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Commitment to and appreciation of Eastern Maar culture, values, perspectives, and heritage, including the impacts of colonization and the importance of cultural continuity.

Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Aboriginal self-determination, supporting the aspirations of the Eastern Maar community.

Other Position Requirements

Working with Children Check within 90 days

Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.

Coxswain Certificate

National Police Check for Employment Purposes within the last 3 months

A request to conduct probity checks does not guarantee that an offer of employment will be made.

Working with EMAC - Our offer to you

What sets us apart…

At EMAC, we are committed to fostering a supportive, culturally safe, and empowering work environment. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

Flexible hybrid working arrangements available

Salary packaging benefits are available in accordance with the ATO-approved rates for Public Benevolent Institutions, currently up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment benefits up to $2,650 per year.

Paid Christmas break in addition to 4 weeks' annual leave

Employee Assistance Program

A friendly and supportive culture

Professional development opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send your resume and a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria to [email protected]

Closing Date: Sunday, 06 July 2025 at 11:59 PM.

Read a full description of the position at www.easternmaar.com.au/news