Aboriginal Heritage

Overview

Work in a dynamic supportive team. Flexible work arrangements, giving you more time for the important things in life. Based in Leederville, this permanent opportunity has a salary of $135,693 plus Super.

This position is pursuant to Section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, and the occupant of this position must be of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Thrive by making a meaningful contribution to your community while shaping WA’s water future. At Water Corporation, you can build a meaningful career while staying connected to Country and fulfilling your cultural obligations. We acknowledge the importance of balancing professional growth with community and cultural responsibilities and recognize the knowledge held by Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways where we operate.

About the role

We are seeking a skilled professional with demonstrated experience to lead the development and implementation of Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title strategies across Water Corporation projects. This role is pivotal in ensuring the Water Corporation maintains compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), while fostering respectful and effective engagement with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for navigating complex legislative frameworks to ensure all activities comply with statutory obligations. This includes securing Section 18 consents and engaging with Native Title representative organisations. The role demands a strong understanding of Cultural Heritage protection, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory processes, with a focus on respectful consultation and agreement-making with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities. You will also play a key role in inter-agency coordination, ensuring Water Corporation’s Heritage and engagement practices are aligned with broader state and national policy objectives.

Internally, you will work closely with Project Managers, Environmental Specialists, community engagement teams and contractors to embed Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title considerations into project planning and delivery. Your ability to translate legislative requirements into practical, culturally sensitive solutions will be critical to achieving timely and respectful outcomes.

Who are we?

When you join Water Corporation, you play an important role for the people of WA. Our services are essential for life - everyday, millions of Western Australians rely on us to deliver and manage water across our state.

If you’re driven to make a meaningful contribution, you’ve come to the right place.

Real benefits that matter

- Real flexibility with options to work from home, 9-day fortnight, flexible work hours

- Two well-being days each year to do whatever you need to do to feel good

- Access to long service leave pro rata after 3 years of service

- Generous co-contribution superannuation scheme, which offers up to 16%

- Purchase additional leave of up to 12 weeks or work 4 years at a reduced salary and take the fifth year off as paid leave

- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave of up to 5 days

Discover more benefits we offer to support the unique and individual ways our employees live.

Key Responsibilities

Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title Management

- Lead the development, oversight, and governance of frameworks and procedures for managing Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title matters within project works

- Secure regulatory approvals through effective engagement with Knowledge Holders and Native Title bodies

- Provide expert advice to internal teams and contractors, ensuring compliance with regulatory approvals, legislation and policy requirements

Communications, Stakeholder and Community Engagement

- Develop and implement communication and engagement strategies to support project delivery where Heritage approvals are required

- Assist the Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title Lead Team in engagement activities with Aboriginal stakeholders related to Heritage and Native Title matters

Strategy and Policy Management

- Contribute to strategic direction, policies, and position statements that reflect stakeholder needs and legislative obligations

- Collaborate with impacted stakeholders to ensure Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title considerations are integrated into corporate planning and risk management frameworks

Project Support

- Prepare and maintain standard documentation in conjunction with external stakeholders and internal project teams

- Provide ongoing support and expertise to projects where Aboriginal Heritage and engagement form key deliverables, ensuring alignment with project timelines and cultural protocols

For this role, we are looking for great talent with

- Section 50(d) of the West Australian Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1984 where Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification for this position

- Experience applying the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) in project planning and delivery

- Experience securing regulatory approvals for complex construction projects, including engagement with government agencies and diverse stakeholders

- Strong background in Cultural Heritage management, with a focus on upholding Aboriginal heritage values

- Extensive experience in Aboriginal community engagement with culturally appropriate communication and consultation strategies

- Understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts affecting Aboriginal communities in Western Australia

How to apply

Sound like a match? Apply today. Please submit a covering letter and resume that demonstrate your skills and experience as well as your ability to meet the role requirements. Refer to the attached job description.

Applications close Tuesday 21st October 2025.

As part of the recruitment process you may be required to complete pre-employment screening including medical, qualification check, police clearance and Australian working rights check.

We reserve the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date.

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace

Diversity and inclusion are core to our values. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women, youth, LGBTQIA+ folks and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive work environment to enable people with disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants requiring adjustments or alternative communication methods can contact a Recruitment Officer at recruitment@watercorporation.com.au or 08 9420 2000. To read our diversity and inclusion statement, please visit our website.

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