Connecting to Country Officer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Officer

Position Number: P01041

Directorate: Environment & Planning Services

Service: Natural Environment

Location: Katoomba HQ

Date Created/Updated August 2025

Position Classification: Band: 7

POSITION PURPOSE / OBJECTIVE

To deliver the Connecting to Country program which aims to enable Aboriginal people

and organisations in the Blue Mountains to undertake on Country activities that foster

healthy relationships to Country, preservation of culture, and strengthening of

communities.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Program Leader First Nations

Staff Responsibility: Nil

Key Internal Relationships: First Nations team, Environment Branch in particular

Healthy Waterway, Bushcare, Natural Area

Operations, Fire and Emergency, Open Space and

Recreation Branch and Media and Communications

Branch

Key External Relationships: BMCC Aboriginal Advisory Council, Dharug and

Gundungurra Traditional Owner Groups,

Aboriginal Community, identified Government and

Non-Government Organisations.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities for this position include:

• Work with the First Nations Program Leader and Traditional Owners to further develop

the Connecting to Country Program in a way that restores balance and heals Country

from an Aboriginal cultural perspective, and empowers Traditional Owners to continue

cultural activities in a sustainable manner;

• Manage and implement Connecting to Country activities in collaboration with key

Traditional Owners and other project partners;

• Seek opportunities to facilitate the transfer of cultural knowledge across

intergenerational groups participating in Connecting to Country activities;

• Assist with the development of Natural Resource Collection Agreements and

associated cultural processes to ensure a sustainable approach is established;

• Work with First Nations Program Leader, BMCC Fire and Emergency Team to

investigate opportunities for traditional burning practices 'On-Country' with Traditional

Owners and relevant staff / agencies, and coordinate approved burns;

• Provide logistical support for cultural burns under the guidance of the Traditional

Owners

• Assist Traditional Owners to further develop 'On-Country' opportunities that result in

positive environmental, cultural, social, spiritual, and economic outcomes for

Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal people; Working with Traditional Owners,

assist in establishing a traditional knowledge repository and database of knowledge

holders / cultural educators;

• Monitor, evaluate and report on Connecting to Country outcomes;

• Keep the First Nations Team r informed on all matters relating to the role; and

• Assist the team with NAIDOC week and undertake other associated duties as directed.

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils

policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are

not limited to identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your

Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);

never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the

experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct

equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and

in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied

for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal

protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety

aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet

its legal workplace health and safety obligations.

You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition you are required

at all times to comply with Councils Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.

COMPLIANCE & RISK

You will support the team in ensuring that risk management responsibilities as described

in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the ERM

Framework) are met, with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and

reported in a timely manner.

COMMUNICATION

The Connecting to Country Project Officer will communicate with a wide range of

stakeholder. Importantly the Project Officer will be required to work closely with Dharug

and Gundungurra Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal stakeholders therefore

experience in communicating with diverse Aboriginal communities is essential. The

Project Officer will also be required to communicate with Council Officers as well as

external Government and non-government organisations where appropriate.

The position will need well developed communication, group facilitation, conflict

resolution and interpersonal skills.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

The Connecting to Country Project Officer requires well developed judgment and problem-

solving skills. These skills will be required in dealing with issues concerning the

development of the Connecting to Country program, co-management relationships,

delivering workshops and On-Country activities. The individual will draw on resources and

knowledge from local Traditional Owners, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

community, Aboriginal-led organisations, Council stakeholders and other organisations in

order to meet the specific responsibilities identified for the position.

AUTHORITY

1. Effective management of budget focus areas under their control, and financial

delegation to expend up to $1,000.

1. Matters as delegated from Chief Executive Officer.

IDENTIFIED POSITION

Blue Mountains City Council considers that being an Australian Aboriginal or a Torres

Strait Islander is an essential personal requirement for this role, in accordance with

Section 14 & 21 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and under clause 26 of the

Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014.

SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

• Demonstrated understanding of, and experience in working with Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander communities and a good understanding of traditional and

contemporary Aboriginal culture;

• Practical experience delivering projects that protect, conserve and improve natural

and cultural heritage;

• A high level of practical experience in developing programs which relate to

addressing the social, cultural or economic needs of Aboriginal people;

• Sound awareness of the impacts of European colonisation and the ongoing affect on

the continuity of Aboriginal connections to Country and transmission of cultural

knowledge;

• High level communication, group work, negotiation and conflict resolution skills;

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders including Traditional

Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, Aboriginal organisations, the

Council, and government and non-government agencies;

• Demonstrated time management and computer skills (MS Office/Outlook);

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team;

• Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (identified position).

• Understanding of and commitment to Work Health & Safety and Equal Opportunity

principles.

• Current drivers licence.

DESIRABLE

• Experience working with the Blue Mountains First Nations community.

• DPIE Native Title Manager Training.

• Experience in, or a sound awareness of, Cultural Burning Practices

• Experience working in or with Local Government.

• Knowledge and understanding of provisions of the NSW Local Government Act and

the NPWS Act as it relates to the recognition and protection of Aboriginal cultural

heritage.