Indigenous Engagement Officer - 10 month term

Bellingen Shire Council; Bellingen Shire; Hybrid; AUD 88,000 - 100,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee wellbeing programs

Hybrid and flexible work arrangements

Salary packaging options

Ongoing professional development

Job summary

Bellingen Shire Council is seeking an Aboriginal-identified engagement role to lead culturally safe engagement with the Gumbaynggirr community. You will build trust, develop respectful dialogue, and provide cultural advice to Council on engagement strategies and potential Reconciliation Action Plan development.

The ideal candidate has qualifications in humanities or social sciences and hands-on experience in community engagement within Aboriginal contexts.

Qualifications

• Qualification in humanities or social sciences.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
• Experience in community engagement or development within an Aboriginal context.

Responsibilities

• Lead culturally safe engagement with the Gumbaynggirr community and Elders.
• Develop culturally appropriate engagement processes and protocols.
• Provide cultural advice to Council and guide respectful dialogue with the community.

Skills

Cultural engagement

Communication skills

Relationship building

Education

Humanities or social sciences qualification

Job description

About Us

Working with us means more than just a job - it's an opportunity to make a real difference at a local level. We're a small but impactful council known for innovation, collaboration, and community connection. With around 160 dedicated employees, our team is passionate about delivering services that support the people and places that make our shire special.

Bellingen Shire is a picturesque and diverse area located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and just south of Coffs Harbour. Covering 1,605 square kilometres with around 10km of coastline, the region is renowned for its stunning natural beauty - from lush rainforests and pristine rivers to the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. Our towns and villages are known for their charm, creativity and strong community spirit.

Living and working here offers the perfect blend of lifestyle and purpose. With a focus on sustainability, cultural richness, and a warm, welcoming community, Bellingen Shire is an inspiring place to grow your career, enjoy work-life balance, and contribute to something meaningful.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Community Partnerships Coordinator, you will lead culturally safe engagement and consultation with the Gumbaynggirr community. Working closely with community members, Elders and organisations, you will build strong relationships, develop culturally appropriate engagement processes and protocols, and support respectful and inclusive dialogue between Council and the community. You will also provide cultural advice to Council, support cultural awareness initiatives and guide community consultation regarding the potential development of a Reconciliation Action Plan.

The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications in humanities or social sciences, or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience gained through relevant work experience. You will have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contemporary issues, along with experience in community engagement, program coordination or community development within an Aboriginal context. Experience providing cultural advice and guidance to organisations is important, while familiarity with the culture, traditions and history of the Gumbaynggirr community will be highly regarded.

To succeed in the role, you will have strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with Aboriginal community members and organisations, build trust and develop effective partnerships. You will be organised, able to manage competing priorities and confident in preparing reports and providing advice. An understanding of cultural protocols and a commitment to culturally safe engagement are essential.

This is an Aboriginal-identified position. Being an Aboriginal person is a genuine occupational qualification for this role under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

On offer

Working for Bellingen Shire Council provides access to a range of benefits and employment conditions, including:

• Maximum Term part-time role, 21 hours per week for 10 months
• Access to employee wellbeing programs
• Access to hybrid and flexible work arrangements in line with Award provisions, subject to operational requirements
• Salary packaging options
• Annual salary of pro rata $87,687 to $99,961 (plus super) depending on actual hours worked.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

Still Have Questions?

• For further information regarding this role please contact Maxine Compton, Group Leader Community Partnerships on 02 6655 7***.
• For enquiries about the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team at ***********@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.

Sponsorship/work rights for Australia

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available. To be eligible for a continuing role, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold Australian permanent residency.

Temporary visa holders may be considered for a fixed-term appointment aligned with the duration of their visa, depending on the needs of the role and the business unit.

Applications close: Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 4pm

Important information

As part of the recruitment process, suitable candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening which can include relevant background checks, functional capacity assessments, psychometric testing, and drug and alcohol screening (where relevant to the role). We may also review publicly available information (such as social media) and, with your consent, contact previous employers not listed on your application.

Our recruitment process is managed via system generated emails. Please ensure your email address is entered correctly to avoid missing important updates and outcomes. Notifications may include application confirmation, interview invitations, reference requests, and application outcomes. Remember to check your email regularly, including your junk/spam folder.

Bellingen Shire Council as an equal opportunity employer is committed to a merit-based workforce that encompasses inclusiveness and diversity in an environment of mutual respect. We invite, encourage, welcome and value candidates of all ages, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and people who have lived experience of disability to apply to work with us.

Bellingen Shire Council is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please contact the People and Culture team on 02 6655 7*** or ***********@bellingen.nsw.gov.au. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.