Senior Aboriginal Programs Guide

2 weeks ago

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Royal Botanic Gardens Full time $90,000 - $120,000 per year

What You'll Do

We're looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Aboriginal Programs Guide to lead a team of Aboriginal Guides at Melbourne Gardens, delivering engaging cultural tourism and education programs that connect visitors with the First Peoples plant stories and knowledge, and the landscapes of the Country the Gardens are situated on.

In this role, you'll:

  • Lead and support the Aboriginal Programs Guide team, ensuring they have the skills and resources to deliver high-quality, culturally respectful programs.
  • Work closely with First Peoples staff and key First Peoples stakeholders, with guidance from Traditional Owners, you will help to ensure programs are culturally safe and respectful.
  • Design and lead plant knowledge tours for diverse audiences, from local communities to international visitors.
  • Contribute to the development of First Peoples-focused programs and initiatives.
  • Manage staff schedules, resources, budgets, and support team recruitment and development.

This position offers a supportive and collaborative team environment, with opportunities for community and educational outreach, and ongoing professional development.

What You'll Bring

Ideally you will have:

  • A qualification or equivalent experience in First Peoples tourism, tour guiding and/or public program planning.
  • A general knowledge of, or willingness to learn about Victorian indigenous and Australia wide native plants and their cultural uses and Healing Country approaches is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, community aspirations, and current opportunities and challenges in Victoria and beyond.
  • Experience in developing, delivering, and interpreting cultural programs, events, or experiences for diverse audiences, with a focus on First Peoples plant knowledge and culture.
  • Experience in building respectful networks with First Peoples communities, you will bring cultural sensitivity, and the ability to lead, inspire and develop your team.
  • Sound judgment skills, the ability to interpret cultural and scientific concepts for diverse audiences, and a flexible, collaborative approach to team and visitor experience.
  • An ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, demonstrating good time management, planning, and organisational skills.

All other key selection criteria can be found in the position description which is located under the attachments heading on the Victorian Government Careers website.

This is a designated position under s.12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

Working with Us

At RBGV you'll be part of a nationally recognised organisation that makes a genuine impact on a local and international scale. As an employee you will benefit from flexible working arrangements to assist in creating genuine work/life balance, annual leave loading, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much more.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please visit the Victorian Government Careers website at must submit a recent resume along with a cover letter (max. two pages) prior to the deadline. General enquiries can be directed by email to Should you have any specific enquiries or require support submitting your application, please contact Vanessa Elvins on

Applications will only be accepted via the Victorian Government website.

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