Healthy Country Operations Manager - Land and Sea

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A culturally driven organization is seeking a Healthy Country Operations Manager to provide strategic leadership for land and sea programs. This full-time role in Derby, WA, focuses on ensuring that operations align with Traditional Owner aspirations and environmental regulations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership capabilities, relevant qualifications in natural resource management, and experience in managing Indigenous land and sea contexts. Relocation support is available for the successful applicant.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Training and development opportunities

5 weeks annual leave

Qualifications

• Experience in land or sea management, ideally within remote or Indigenous contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver programs such as fire management, feral animal and weed control.
• Strong leadership experience in managing culturally diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and cultural leadership across healthy country operations.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, marine, and cultural heritage regulations.
• Manage and mentor a culturally diverse and high-performing team.

Skills

Operational leadership

Cultural awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Team management

Strategic planning

Education

Tertiary qualification in natural resource or environmental management

Job description

Healthy Country Operations Manager - Land and Sea

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) is seeking a dynamic and culturally grounded leader to join us as the Healthy Country Operations Manager - Land and Sea. This is a Full Time Role based in Derby, WA. Relocation support will be provided to the successful candidate if required.

• Competitive Salary with Salary Sacrificing up to $15,899
• Training and Development opportunities in a Supportive Team Environment
• 5 weeks Annual Leave with Office Closure over the Christmas Period

The Role

The Healthy Country Operations Manager - Land and Sea reports directly to the CEO and DAC Board, providing strategic and cultural leadership across all healthy country land and sea operations. This role ensures programs are grounded in the Dambimangari Healthy Country Plan and contributes to the long‑term wellbeing, cultural strength, and economic sustainability of the Dambimangari People.

This role plays a central part in delivering Healthy Country commitments under several Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), and acts as the primary liaison for communications with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). In addition, it supports DAC's Joint Management Agreement (JMA) with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA WA), ensuring that marine park operations reflect Traditional Owner aspirations and governance.

Key Duties

• Ensure alignment with the Dambimangari Healthy Country Plan and Traditional Owner aspirations.
• Lead delivery of ILUA and JMA commitments, including marine park co‑management.
• Oversee programs such as fire and carbon projects, biosecurity, and cultural heritage.
• Support Traditional Owner‑led governance and decision‑making.
• Manage and mentor a culturally diverse and high‑performing team.
• Build strong partnerships with government, researchers, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, marine, and cultural heritage regulations.
• Secure and manage funding, budgets, and reporting obligations.
• Represent DAC in regional and national forums to advocate for Dambimangari interests.

About You

You are a strategic thinker, an experienced leader, and ready to dive into a diverse and impactful role that supports the health of Dambi Country and the aspirations of its Traditional Owners. We're looking for someone who brings a strong mix of operational leadership, cultural awareness, and strategic capability.

• Tertiary qualification/s in natural resource, marine or environmental management, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in land or sea management, ideally within remote or Indigenous contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver programs such as fire management, feral animal and weed control, threatened species monitoring, marine science, cultural initiatives, and infrastructure projects.
• Proven capability to lead complex operations and culturally diverse teams, with a strong focus on mentoring and professional development.
• Well‑developed stakeholder engagement skills and a track record of building effective partnerships across government, community, and conservation sectors.
• Sound knowledge of marine operations, including vessel safety, logistics, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and reporting, including managing grants and fee‑for‑service activities.
• Strong leadership experience in team management, operational planning, and performance oversight.
• Willingness and capacity to work in remote environments, including extended on‑Country trips.

Qualifications & Other Requirements

• Valid C Class Driver's License
• First Aid Certificate
• Manual License with 4WD experience and Coxswain Grade 1, 2 or 3 tickets would be highly desirable.
• Ability to obtain and maintain:
  • Working with Children Check
  • National Police Clearance
  • First Aid Certificate
• Able to pass a Pre‑employment medical (including drug & alcohol screening)

About the Dambeemangaddee people

We are the Traditional Owners of the land and waters along the north‑west Kimberley coastline, extending from the Robinson River, just north of Derby to the Prince Regent River in the far north of the Kimberley region in WA. It has been our home for many thousands of years. We carry the cultural responsibilities of our ancestors to look after Country. Our Country is of great conservation significance, home to many threatened and endemic species, mighty rivers, coral reefs, powerful whirlpools, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and more than 700 islands. Dambeemangaddee are part of the Wandjina Woongudd community. We all share a unique body of beliefs and cultural practices we maintain strong connections to our land through our Law, Culture, songs and stories. We visit our Country when we can and have set up homeland communities on our remote coastline. We want to return to Country, live on our homelands, regain control, and teach future generations.

About the Corporation

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) is a small, community‑driven organisation based in one of the most remote and spectacular regions of the Kimberley. We represent and work for the Dambimangari Traditional Owners, guided by Law and Culture. With a team of over 50, most of whom are Traditional Owners, DAC delivers a wide range of programmes and services that support our people, protect Country, and strengthen culture. Our key functions include:

• Managing Native Titles and stakeholder engagement (mining, tourism, development)
• Members Services in health, education and wellbeing
• Land and sea management, including ranger programmes and marine parks
• Cultural heritage and Visitor management.
• Economic development and Remote infrastructure
• Corporate Services (finance, admin, payroll)

Ready To Apply?

If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to support a dynamic team, we'd love to hear from you! Learn more about DAC and the Dambeemangaddee people: www.dambimangari.com.au

For more information about the position, please email *****@wcasolutions.com or call (08) 9383 3***.