Senior Heritage Officer

Company description:

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. For more information about the Department of Education, please visit

Job description:

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners - from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Temporary (up to 29 February 2028), Full Time
• Location Eveleigh
• A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill anticipated vacancies over the next 18 months.
• Competitive remuneration ranging from $129,464 to $142,665 plus super & annual leave loading.

Are you passionate about protecting culture and shaping how public school communities experience heritage?

We're seeking a dynamic, technically skilled Senior Heritage Officer to help conserve the Department's items of heritage significance—including Aboriginal places, objects, and sites—through culturally informed, evidence-based infrastructure planning, design, and development.

You'll ensure compliance with all relevant heritage legislation, standards, and guidelines while partnering with Aboriginal organisations, Heritage NSW, community groups, representatives, and project teams to drive coordinated heritage decision-making.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary heritage practice, including Aboriginal cultural heritage, and relevant heritage legislation, standards and guidelines.
• A seasoned heritage professional with demonstrated experience in managing both built heritage conservation and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• Strong analytical thinker who can synthesize complex issues into clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills, with a track record of producing high-quality reports and facilitating constructive consultations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, navigate sensitive cultural contexts, and work collaboratively across diverse groups.
• Knowledge of Conservation Management Plans, Statements of Heritage Impact, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessments, and Heritage Act s170 heritage asset guidelines.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in heritage or a related field and/or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department's values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates not currently employed by the Department must provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance number. Renewal is not required after the WWCC expires, as long as you remain in a non-child-related role. Employer obligations only apply while the WWCC is valid.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing Date: Sunday 30 November 2025 at 11:59pm

For role enquiries please contact Duncan Jones, Manager Heritage, at

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.