Education Engagement Officer

Education Engagement Officer (Identified)

Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change

About the Project

The Mini Museum is a loans-based program at the Australian Museum that aims to reach preschools in regional NSW and is currently in its pilot phase in both Tamworth and Newcastle. The program aims to bring together First Nations knowledges and Western science through a sensory-based learning approach that is supported by digital learning resources. We are looking for a collaborative staff member to join our team to establish positive relationships with First Nations community members and help inform, develop and embed authentic First Nations content and perspectives throughout the program.

About the Role

The Education Engagement Officer, First Nations is responsible for developing and delivering authentic First Nations education content for the Mini Museum program. In this role, you'll be central to shaping how First Nations knowledge and cultural perspectives are authentically woven into this groundbreaking program—ensuring that our youngest learners begin their educational journey with genuine understanding and respect.

You will build and maintain positive relationships with First Nations communities and organisations and ensure that meaningful consultation informs all our work. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and work to research, develop and deliver authentic and sensitive First Nations content and perspectives that align with our impact outcomes, and reach diverse audiences across the state. Content will be accessible through the physical learning kit, as well as through digital learning resources on the website.

The role will involve liaising with regional preschools and partners to support and deliver local First Nations perspectives in relation to the program. The successful candidate will ensure that content includes First Nations voices within target regions in NSW. There will be a focus on localising content in the Newcastle region in the first instance and as such, the ability to travel and to work autonomously is essential. We are open to the right candidate being located outside of Sydney, however, they will need to spend a negotiated number of days working in Sydney each month.

Employment Status:

• Clerk Grade 5/6
• Fixed term
• Full-time, 35 hours / 5 days per week
• Period of engagement: 7 months with the possibility of an extension for an additional six months
• Location: Newcastle & Sydney

Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM

• Role Description
• AM Candidate Pack

You will be paid a competitive annual salary rate $99,938 - $110,271, plus employer's contribution to superannuation (currently 12%) and annual leave loading.

About you

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated individual who is deeply committed to authentically sharing and promoting First Nations cultures. The ideal candidate will have strong connections with First Nations communities and a proven ability to collaborate, and build and maintain positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including those in regional areas. The ideal candidate will be able to work both productively and autonomously, with an ability to translate and interpret concepts for particular audiences.

Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrated experience in working with First Nations content in a detailed and trusted manner that reflects First Nations self-determination
• Demonstrated experience in consultation with First Nations communities and organisations
• Knowledge and understanding of current best practice in Aboriginal education, including culturally responsive teaching and many ways pedagogies
• Working with young audiences, ideally early childhood/preschoolers
• Experience working within a cultural or education institution
• Experience creating content for a variety of audiences

Essential requirements

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent - Aboriginality/Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field, or extensive experience in a similar role.
• Hold a valid NSW Working with Children Clearance

About The Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations' culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.

Recent staff survey results confirm that our staff feel valued, accepted and supported and that they believe the AM is an inclusive workplace. AM staff also report a high level of job satisfaction.

The AM is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people and acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.

Check out our current exhibitions and events here.

Benefits

Besides working together with other like-minded people, you will have access to professional development and dedicated Wellbeing programs.

How to apply

Applicants must submit (if submitted as attachment, please upload as PDF):

1. A one to two page covering letter which addresses the role description's essential requirements, key knowledge and experience.

2. Resume

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer two targeted questions.

1. Describe a specific program or initiative you have led or been significantly involved in that focused on embedding First Nations perspectives into education content for a young audience. In your response, please outline the key challenges you faced, how you addressed them and the impact of this program on the community and the relevant audience. (300 words maximum)

2. Can you share an example of how you have built and maintained positive relationships with First Nations communities and organisations for a specific project? What approaches did you use to ensure meaningful consultation and collaboration? How did these relationships influence the outcomes of your work? (300 words maximum)

For more details, Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply for the role go to I Work for NSW.

The successful applicant will be subject to national criminal records check. As recommended by Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Australian Museum encourages all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.

Contact person:

Natalie Taylor, Manager First Nations Education

Fiona Brell, Regional Education Lead

Inclusive and welcoming

The Australian Museum is an NSW Public Service organisation and aims to attract and retain the right people for the right jobs. The AM is a diverse and inclusive workplace where genuine participation and contribution is enabled, and everyone, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances is valued, accepted and supported to thrive at work.

This means that we are embedding diversity and inclusion in everything we do on a daily basis, whether it be our recruitment processes, workplace culture, career development programs, customer service or policies and procedures. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment process to better enable you to shine, please reach out to the contact person or note this in your application.