Heritage Officer

• Make a meaningful impact by preserving and promoting Palyku-Jartayi cultural heritage.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders across community, corporate, and government sectors.
• Grow in a purpose-driven role balancing cultural responsibility with legal compliance.

About Us

The Palyku-Jartayi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ('PJAC') was incorporated in January 2020 under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

As the prescribed body corporate of the Palyku Native Title Holders, PJAC holds the Palyku people's native title rights and interests in trust to:

• Promote the management of the language, culture, and traditional practice of the Palyku people;
• Ensure that the Palyku people's culture and heritage is recorded, protected, and shared within the Palyku community;
• Ensure compliance with the obligations of the Palyku people detailed within Native Title and Aboriginal Heritage Agreements;
• Develop and implement a Strategic Plan for PJAC;
• Promote Palyku community development programmes.
• Foster business and employment opportunities and promote sustainability;
• Promote in all Corporation endeavours the common good of Palyku people through equitable action and enterprise.

The Role

Reporting to the Heritage Coordinator (HC), the Heritage Officer has delegated responsibility for supporting the delivery of heritage and land management services in line with PJAC's role as the nominated heritage service provider for the Palyku-Jartayi people.

The Heritage Officer works as part of the PJAC Heritage Team, supporting the delivery of heritage services in line with PJAC's role as the nominated heritage service provider for the Palyku-Jartayi people. The position is responsible for assisting with the heritage function to meet all legal, legislative and agreement obligations.

The Heritage Officer will liaise with internal and external stakeholders including the PJAC management team and staff, Palyku Traditional Owners and Elders, members, consultants, commercial organisations, government agencies and non-government stakeholders to ensure heritage activities are carried out in a timely, culturally respectful and compliant manner, delivering positive outcomes for the corporation and the Palyku community.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the Heritage Coordinator in coordinating and delivering heritage surveys, consultations, monitoring and cultural mapping.
• Support the preparation of logistics plans, rosters and budgets for fieldwork.
• Participate in on-country fieldwork, supporting Palyku Traditional Owners, Elders and On-Ground Coordinators.
• Record field observations and provide accurate notes and information for reporting.
• Assist with drafting correspondence, consultation notes and field reports under the direction of the Heritage Coordinator.
• Maintain records of heritage site data, agreements and mapping information.
• Liaise respectfully with Palyku Traditional Owners and Elders, survey participants, consultants and proponents.
• Support compliance checks during fieldwork to ensure proponents meet obligations under PJAC heritage agreements.
• Escalate incidents or risks relating to heritage, safety or compliance to the Heritage Coordinator as soon as practicable.
• Assist in maintaining PJAC's heritage databases and registers, including mapping and reporting requirements.

• Contribute to PJAC's monthly heritage reporting and team planning processes.

• Undertake other heritage-related or organisational tasks as required by the Heritage Coordinator.

• Assist on special projects such as:

• Program for intergeneration and interfamily cultural knowledge exchange between Members.

• Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological cultural knowledge documentation
• Assist and maintain systems to enable the long-term management and storage of native title and heritage information; and
• Assist in other environmental, heritage or cultural matters as required.
• Adhere to PJAC policies and procedures, the Rule Book, Code of Conduct and all other legislative requirements as directed and amended by PJAC.
• Any other duties as directed by the line manager or executive team.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Previous fieldwork experience – working on heritage, environment or ranger surveys and activities.
• Sound knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage management issues relevant to the Pilbara including current legislation
• An understanding of contemporary factors influencing Aboriginal people and communities
• Maintenance of information systems to maintain records and generate reports;
• Experience in working with small teams
• Ability to build partnerships and work with a wide diversity of people
• Some knowledge of the WA ACH Act 1972 and 2021
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Ability to successfully work remotely and autonomously.

Desirable

• A current Australian Driver's Licence (manual).
• An understanding of and previous experience working with indigenous communities, preferably within the Pilbara region.
• Experience in undertaking a range of administrative duties with intermediate level MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and GIS software.
• Strong self-management skills/well organised.
• Strong verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.

Licences and Accreditations

• Cleared National Police Check
• Drivers' License (C Class)
• Working With Children Check, or willingness to obtain. (WWC)

How to apply

Please forward your application including:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating your experience for the role.

Send your application or any queries to Samantha -

Applications will be assessed as received and interviews may be scheduled prior to the closing date.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Applications close 1st November 2025