Heritage Coordinator

Rottnest Island Authority; Fremantle, Rottnest Island; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation (full employer)*

Flexible working arrangements

4 weeks annual leave with loading

Public sector holidays

Learning and development programs

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

Rottnest Island Authority is seeking a Heritage Coordinator based in Fremantle, with duties spanning team leadership, heritage project delivery, and statutory submissions. The role liaises with Aboriginal communities, Native Title bodies, researchers, volunteers and government agencies to meet DBCA-aligned objectives.

The role emphasizes governance, data integrity in GIS, and collaborative problem-solving. The successful candidate will coordinate with GIS services, manage budgets and risks, and

Qualifications

• Experience delivering Aboriginal heritage in compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
• Strong leadership, organisational and staff management skills for projects.
• Developing cultural management plans and heritage projects with good delivery outcomes.
• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve results.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and safety in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Directly manages a team and drives business processes for heritage work.
• Prepare statutory submissions to meet strategic goals.
• Engage with Aboriginal people,/native title bodies, researchers and agencies.
• Coordinate planning and delivery of heritage projects and initiatives.
• Monitor schedules, budgets and project risks; ensure high-quality data in GIS.
• Lead others to drive positive change in line with leadership expectations.

Skills

Heritage management

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Budgeting

Aboriginal engagement

Education

Heritage/archaeology degree

Tools

GIS

Job description

THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION THIS POSITION IS BASED IN FREMANTLE (COMMUTING TO ROTTNEST ISLAND AS REQUIRED) APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT MIDDAY ON FRIDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2026

Job Description

The Heritage Coordinator role directly manages a team with a strong focus on developing and facilitating business processes, preparing statutory submissions to meet Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) strategic goals, maintaining positive relationships, and engaging with a range of stakeholders including Aboriginal people, Registered Native Title Bodies, community practitioners, researchers, volunteers, visitors and government agencies. The role also coordinates the planning and delivery of heritage projects and initiatives, manages project schedules and resources, monitors project budgets and risks, and works collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve project outcomes aligned with organisational objectives. The role is expected to coordinate with RIA Geographic Information Systems services to ensure the database of heritage information is up-to-date and maintained at a high standard. At RIA, we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the mindsets and expected behaviours required of all our employees and the public sector. In this role, you will be Leading Others to help drive positive change.

Selection Criteria

Applicants should address the following five (5) criteria. These should be addressed in no more than three (3) pages in total. Desirable criteria will be assessed as required.

Essential

• Considerable experience managing and delivering Aboriginal heritage in compliance with relevant agreements and legislation to meet operational requirements (including the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 )
• Demonstrated strong leadership, organisational, financial and staff management skills in relation to project management
• Demonstrated experience in the development of cultural management plans and projects, and delivery of heritage projects (including interpretation and truth-telling projects)
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working with a range of stakeholders (including Aboriginal people, Registered Native Title Bodies, Aboriginal corporations, community groups, heritage practitioners, researchers, volunteers, visitors and government agencies) to manage heritage, develop projects and deliver results in a complex operational setting (such as the tourism sector)
• Applies and promotes the principles of equity, diversity and work health and safety in the workplace.

Desirable

• Tertiary qualification in heritage/archaeology or equivalent discipline.
• Behaviour that reflects Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

About Us

We are a statutory authority of the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), one of Western Australia's largest state government agencies, providing exciting and challenging career opportunities in biodiversity conservation and park and natural resource management. We employ people with world-class scientific, policy, land and marine management, visitor services, research and educational skills. For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at DBCA is an attractive proposition, please visit our website .

Benefits of working with us

• Staff discounts at gyms, pools and fitness centres (where available) through the Fitness Passport program.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December.
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Access to study, bereavement, foster caring and parental leave.
• A confidential employee assistant program (EAP) for you and your family, including psychology and counselling services.
• Well-established learning and development programs.

Other Requirements

• A current Working with Children Check.
• A current (issue date not older than 6 months) and satisfactory National Police Check.

Eligibility

It is essential to have Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency status. Only applicants who meet this eligibility requirement will be considered for this position. A search for additional applicants may be conducted for this position where necessary to provide a more diverse and/or competitive field.

Agency Referrals

Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at [e-mail] during the advertising period.

Substantive Equality Statement

RIA supports and values diversity and aims to build a workforce that is representative of the community we live in. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse background and people with disability. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace. As part of our strategy to increase the diversity of our workforce, Aboriginality is preferred for this position (refer Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) , as amended). Aboriginal applicants who meet the selection criteria may be prioritised for appointment. For adjustments required in the recruitment process, including an alternative to applying online, please contact the selection panel convenor. If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Additional Information

Similar appointments may be made from this process within a 12-month period to positions that may be permanent or contract, including contract appointments with the possibility of subsequent permanency. For the full role description, detailed responsibilities and a full list of selection criteria, please refer to the Job Description link below. The documents linked to this advertisement are available in alternative formats upon request.