Indigenous Community Engagement Officer

Queensland Department Of Education; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Queensland Department Of Education is seeking a Community Connection & Engagement Officer to build and sustain relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders to support foster and kinship carer recruitment and retention. The role promotes culturally appropriate service delivery and supports community-driven engagement strategies.

The position emphasises cultural liaison, stakeholder collaboration, and reflective practice to improve outcomes for children and

Qualifications

• Holds a current C Class Queensland Driver's Licence
• Current Working with Children Check, 'Blue Card'
• Holds or is willing to obtain a First Aid and CPR Certificate
• Qualifications or knowledge related to Child Protection
• Diploma in Community Services, Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Social Work, or a related field
• Experience at successfully leading and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
• Well-developed written communication skills, including report writing and assessment documentation
• Experienced in client engagement and case collaboration
• Experience at successful service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Relevant experience in foster and kinship care, including carer assessment and recruitment pathways

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Elders, and community-controlled organisations to support culturally appropriate service delivery
• Lead community engagement activities to promote foster and kinship care, with a focus on increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
• Support culturally informed carer recruitment strategies, including community events, yarning circles, and targeted outreach
• Act as a cultural liaison between the service, community, and partner agencies, ensuring respectful engagement in line with cultural protocols
• Promote awareness of foster and kinship care within the community and reduce barriers to participation
• Maintain practice aligned with organisational values, cultural frameworks, and legislative requirements
• Participate in supervision and reflective practice to support continuous improvement
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure community insights inform assessment, placement, and support decisions
• Support carers and families to access culturally appropriate services, networks, and supports within their communities
• Strengthen partnerships with government, community, and private sector stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and carers
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying community needs, service gaps, and opportunities for innovation
• Ensure all engagement activities align with organisational values, legislative requirements, and culturally safe practice frameworks
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to reporting on engagement activities and outcomes
• Undertake other duties as required

Skills

Cultural liaison

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Public speaking

Education

Diploma in Community Services, Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Social Work, or related field

First Aid and CPR Certificate

Driver's Licence (C Class)

Working with Children Check (Blue Card)

Job description

Queensland Department Of Education is seeking a Community Connection & Engagement Officer to build and sustain relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders to support foster and kinship carer recruitment and retention. The role promotes culturally appropriate service delivery and supports community-driven engagement strategies.

The position emphasises cultural liaison, stakeholder collaboration, and reflective practice to improve outcomes for children and