Records Research Officer

Part time – 22.5 hours work/3 days per week

West Leederville

At Relationships Australia WA, we’ve been proudly supporting West Australians for over 70 years. Our mission is to provide relationship support services for individuals, couples, families, and communities. We believe that everyone has the right to belong, and we work tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

About the role

We are offering a permanent role of Records Research Officer in the Find & Connect, Forced Adoption Support Service, and Redress Support Service teams at our West Leederville office. The position involves assisting members/clients, Forgotten Australians, Care Leavers, Former Child Migrants, and those impacted by Forced Adoption, to secure records.

Responsibilities include:

Responding to client record and research enquiries

Conducting record searches, and apply for/securing, records and documents on behalf of clients.

Providing telephone, email, and face to face consultation/feedback to persons seeking information to access records held by past care providers, courts, govt departments, religious institution’s, schools, hospitals etc.

Working collaboratively with past care provider agencies to release records to members in a client focused, helpful, and constructive manner.

Providing verbal and written information and guidance on records searching options.

The current vacancy is 22.5 hours per week.

Skills, experience, and qualifications

Essential Criteria

Relevant experience in records management/archiving or librarianship, or other relevant disciplines.

Excellent on-line research capability and understanding of family history/genealogy.

Knowledge of privacy legislation and legal and administrative requirements for records access.

Knowledge of requirements for access to records from government and non-government sources.

Demonstrated ability to assist people with information gathering, personal record searching or similar.

Demonstrated competence in computer applications including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) use of data bases, web searches.

Desirable Criteria

Understanding of the history of institutional and out of home care in Australia and of the issues/barriers faced by Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants and those affected by Forced Adoption.

Knowledge of trauma, an understanding of out of home care, and the impact of forced adoption.

Why Join Us?

Excellent career opportunity with a high-quality service provider

Competitive salary

Non-for-profit organisation salary packaging – up to $18,550

Additional leave at year-end

Staff Reward program to provide savings on your everyday expenses

We are a values-driven organisation that aims for Authenticity, Inclusion, Compassion and Excellence.

We value diversity across cultures, genders, sexuality and neurotypes. All interested, skilled and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply Permanent role with stability and development prospects

A copy of the position description is available upon request.

Please contact the Railway Parade Location Manager Mavourneen James 6164 0489 for more information.

Application instructions:

Applications must include a cover letter outlining suitability for the role and a current resume citing professional referees and to be submitted via SEEK.

Applications close at 5pm Friday 25.7.2025

RAWA reserves the right to begin shortlisting and interviews prior to the closing date.

Relationships Australia WA is committed to being a 'Child-Safe' organisation and expects all staff agree to our Children and Young People Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct. Appropriate rigorous reference and background checking will be undertaken, including a Working with Children Check (where applicable), police record and identity check. We are committed to the safety and empowerment of all children, including those with a disability and from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.